SAFEGUARDING POLICY
THE FEMINIST LIBRARY
JUNE 2024
What does Safeguarding mean to us?
We strive to make our spaces – online and in person – safe for everyone and pay particular attention to the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults. The Feminist Library is a free and accessible space and we seek to make it welcoming for all our: visitors, volunteers and staff. The Feminist Library believes everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of any structural inequality, including disability, socio-economic status, sexuality, age, education, religious affiliation or gender expression.
Who does this policy apply to?
This policy applies to all staff (including members of the organising team and those who work in the support teams), volunteers, agency staff, freelancers, trustees or anyone working on behalf of the Library. We understand that we’re all responsible for safeguarding and we recognise our duty to support vulnerable people and children.
What is the aim of this policy?
The aim of this policy is to ensure:
- Effective safeguarding rules are in place, with particular focus on children and vulnerable adults in all library settings, online and in person.
- All our staff and volunteers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and are adequately supported in dealing with incidents of suspected or actual abuse, neglect or harm.
- Appropriate procedures are in place to minimise the risk of inappropriate behaviour taking place or false allegations of inappropriate behaviour being made.
- We remain in keeping with the Library’s values of collective care.
The following are the legal definitions of a child and a vulnerable adult:
- Adult: Any person aged 18 or over and at risk of abuse or neglect because of their needs for care and support.
- Child: A person below the age of 18
How often will we review this policy?
- We will review this policy every six months to ensure we remain agile and responsive to all who visit and work at the Library.
- The Collective will input and review amendments.
- The organising group will input and review the amendments and trustees will sign off on each re-draft
Policies for children and vulnerable adults visiting the Feminist Library
Attending events
- Under-11s attending an event in the library will need to be accompanied by a parent/carer and groups of children will need to be accompanied by adults on a 3:1 ratio.
- Under-8s must never be left unsupervised at any time.
- Publicity for an event will clearly state age suitability and supervision requirements. Please double check if booking an event what the supervision requirements are, and do not book your child to attend if you are unable to accompany them.
Unsupervised visits
- We try our best to make our libraries safe and welcoming. However, as a charity, we can never fully guarantee child safety. Therefore, no child under the age of 11 can visit without parent/carer supervision.
- Children need to be at least 14-years-old in order to look after children ages 8 and over.
- Children under 8 must be with a parent or responsible adult (aged 18 or over).
Using public computers
- Under-11s may only use the internet under the adult supervision of a parent or guardian.
- Library staff cannot monitor internet use, unless there is serious cause for concern.
Using public wifi
- Our library service offers free wifi to anyone aged 11 and over.
- Social media and email is accessible through our wifi; parents/guardians may wish to set up parental controls on their child’s device.
- Visitors accessing illegal material or unsuitable content for a public library will be asked to leave
- Our service is not responsible for children accessing inappropriate content whilst connected to the free wifi network with their own devices.
Appendix 1 – Sources of Information and Support
Childline
https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline/
0800 1111
Action on Elder Abuse
A national organisation based in London. It aims to prevent the abuse of older people by raising awareness, encouraging education, promoting research and collecting and disseminating information.
Tel: 020 8765 7000
Email: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
www.elderabuse.org.uk
Ann Craft Trust (ACT)
A national organisation providing information and advice about adult safeguarding. ACT have a specialist Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity team to support the sector
Tel: 0115 951 5400
Email: Ann-Craft-Trust@nottingham.ac.uk
Men’s Advice Line
For male domestic abuse survivors
Tel: 0808 801 0327
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Tel: 0800 999 5428
National 24Hour Freephone Domestic Abuse Helplines
| England | Northern Ireland |
| Tel: 0808 2000 247 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us |
Tel: 0808 802 1414
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dsahelpline Facebook: www.facebook.com/dsahelpline |
| Scotland | Wales |
| Tel: 0800 027 1234 Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk Web chat: sdafmh.org.uk |
Llinell Gymorth Byw HebOfn/ Live free from fear helpline Tel: 0808 8010 800 Type Talk: 18001 0808 801 0800 |
Rape Crisis Federation of England and Wales
Rape Crisis was launched in 1996 and exists to provide a range of facilities and resources to enable the continuance and development of Rape Crisis Groups throughout Wales and England.
Email: info@rapecrisis.co.uk
www.rapecrisis.co.uk
Respond
Respond provides a range of services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities, and training and support to those working with them.
Tel: 020 7383 0700 or
0808 808 0700 (Helpline)
Email: services@respond.org.uk
www.respond.org.uk
Susy Lamplugh Trust
The Trust is a leading authority on personal safety. Its role is to minimise the damage caused to individuals and to society by aggression in all its forms – physical, verbal and psychological.
Tel: 020 83921839
Fax: 020 8392 1830
Email: info@suzylamplugh.org
www.suzylamplugh.org
Victim Support
Provides practical advice and help, emotional support and reassurance to those who have suffered the effects of a crime.
Tel: 0808 168 9111
Women’s Aid Federation of England and Wales
Women’s Aid is a national domestic violence charity. It also runs a domestic violence online help service.
www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support