‍ Bristol Children's Charity Safeguarding Policy

Last reviewed: June 2026

1.  Policy Statement

Bristol Children's Charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals who come into contact with our organisation. Although we do not directly work with children or vulnerable adults as part of our day-to-day activities, we recognise that we have a general duty of care and may occasionally encounter individuals who require additional protection.

We take all concerns seriously and will act promptly and appropriately in response to any safeguarding issue that arises.

2.  Scope

This policy applies to all trustees, volunteers and anyone acting on behalf of the charity. It covers:

  • Any interaction with members of the public at events or activities

  • The use of images and personal information in our communications

  • Online safety and responsible use of social media

3.  Responsibilities

3.1  Trustees

The board of trustees has overall responsibility for safeguarding and must ensure this policy is reviewed and kept up to date. The board will designate a trustee with lead responsibility for safeguarding matters.

3.2  Volunteers

All volunteers are responsible for:

  • Being aware of and adhering to this policy

  • Reporting concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

  • Not investigating concerns themselves or making promises of confidentiality

  • Maintaining appropriate boundaries in all interactions

3.3  Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL is responsible for receiving reports of concerns, seeking advice from statutory agencies where appropriate, and maintaining a record of all safeguarding matters, our charity’s DSL is: Alice Davies-Avery bristolchildrenscharity@gmail.com.

4.  Recognising and Reporting Concerns

A safeguarding concern may arise if you observe or receive information about:

  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

  • Neglect

  • Financial exploitation

  • Radicalisation or extremist behaviour

  • Any situation where an individual appears to be at risk of harm If you have a concern, you should:

  • Report it to the DSL as soon as possible — do not delay

  • Record what you observed or were told, using the person's own words where possible

  • Not share information beyond those who need to know

In an emergency where someone is in immediate danger, call 999 immediately.

5.  Use of Images and Communications

Bristol Children's Charity will always obtain appropriate consent before using photographs or video footage of individuals in our materials. We will never include identifying personal information alongside images without explicit consent.

6.  Online Safety

All staff, volunteers, and trustees are expected to use social media responsibly and in accordance with our communications guidelines. No personal contact details should be shared publicly, and all online interactions on behalf of the charity should be transparent and professional.

7.  Breaches of This Policy

Any breach of this policy will be treated seriously and may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal or termination of a volunteer arrangement. In serious cases, matters may be referred to the police or other statutory authorities.

8.  Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the board of trustees or sooner in response to any changes in legislation, guidance, or operational circumstances.