Safeguarding & Policies

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We have a duty of care when they are in our charge and we will do everything we can to provide a safe and caring environment whilst they attend our activities. Our policy for child safeguarding can be found here and is reviewed annually by our Board of Trustees. Our health and safety policy can be found here and is reviewed every two years. The Country Trust is a member of SAFEcic, an umbrella organisation providing safeguarding training, advice and standards.

The responsibility of managing the safeguarding of children can be both demanding and challenging, and therefore our Designated Safeguarding Lead is our Chief Executive who has undertaken Level 3 Safeguarding Training, PREVENT and Safer Recruitment Training.

Together with the Deputy Safeguarding Lead and The Country Trust’s named Trustee, her role is to oversee and ensure that our safeguarding children policy is fully implemented and that we attain SAFE standards. This includes ensuring that all staff receive appropriate child safeguarding and health and safety training.

Safeguarding and health and safety are standing agenda items at quarterly Board Meetings.

In line with SAFE recommendations, we operate according to Safer Recruitment guidance and have a clear induction and training strategy including clear job descriptions and responsibilities. Those staff (including volunteers) with direct contact with children, and Managers, attend SAFE child protection training within 3 months of appointment.

We ensure and emphasise that everyone in our organisation understands and knows how to share any concerns immediately with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy. Under “whistleblowing” anyone in our organisation may refer directly to either children’s social care services or the police if they are concerned that a child is at risk of harm and our policy is not being adhered to. 

We gather feedback on the quality of our organisation and management from teachers and group leaders after all of our activities, asking them to score us on a scale of 1-6 (6 being the highest score). Any score of 4 or less is explored directly with the teacher or group leader and feeds into our quarterly board reports.

Please contact us if you would like further information or have any questions about our approach.

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Our Policies

The Country Trust Confidentiality Policy

The Country Trust Health and Safety Policy

The Country Trust Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults Policy

The Country Trust Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

The Country Trust Environmental Policy

Country Trust Volunteer Policy

The Country Trust Photographic, Film and Audio Policy

Photography, Film and Audio Guidance for attendees