Lord’s Larder Safeguarding Policy
The Lord’s Larder Foodbank is committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all workers, contractors, volunteers and visitors who attend the premises, or who participate in foodbank activities elsewhere, as far as is reasonable and practicable
This policy relates to the safeguarding of those that may be vulnerable, and to children.
The Lord’s Larder Foodbank commits:
• To identify risks, and to control those risks wherever practicable
• To provide a safe and nurturing environment for all those considered vulnerable
• To provide adequate information, instruction, and training in relation to safeguarding volunteers
• To provide adequate support and supervision to all volunteers carrying out foodbank business
• To review this policy and associated procedures on a regular basis (at least annually) and revise policy and procedures as the need arises
Definition (for this document)
Vulnerable adult:
A person who is or may be in need of community care service by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.
Vulnerable adults are entitled to privacy; to be treated with dignity; lead an independent life and be enabled to do so; be able to choose how they lead their lives; the protection of the law; have their rights upheld regardless of ethnic origin, gender, sexuality, impairment or disability, age, religion or cultural background.
As a foodbank project team, we want to restore dignity and revive hope to people from all walks of life. We are concerned with individuals and their circumstances and actively encourage an inclusive environment throughout all our projects.
We seek to ensure that all our team member are aware of what is required from them under the vulnerable adult and child protection policy and make sure that it is always practised.
It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults.
We commit ourselves to co-operate fully with the appropriate statutory services when they are conducting official investigation into physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, children or young people (by an adult or young person).
This statement is to be brought to the attention of all volunteers when they join, as part of their induction programme. Any amendments will be brought to the attention of all team members.
Implementation
The Lord’s Larder Foodbank will plan its work to minimise situations where abuse might occur.
Although the number of people who actively seek to abuse vulnerable adults and children is very small, the foodbank can reduce opportunities for abuse in various ways. We will for instance:
• Ensure that there is adequate supervision for all vulnerable adults
• Ensure that any vulnerable adult working with the foodbank project is aware of who they can talk to if they have concerns
• Ensure that all staff and volunteers know where the nearest telephone is in case of emergencies
• Ensure volunteers supervising vulnerable adults are suitably trained
Designated person and their role
The foodbank has a designated person who is responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of vulnerable adults or children. This person is the Chair of Trustees Mr Jim Banks.
Recording
The designated person will make notes and keep confidential records of any disclosure or concerns they have or another team member has, and will seek advice from the Social Services Department or the Police
Volunteers must ensure that their recordings of facts, incidents, assessments, referrals, and case discussions are all sufficient, accurate, concise, up-to-date, legible, dated, factual and kept confidential. Opinions should be kept to a minimum and backed up by factual evidence. Any supporting evidence should be preserved and clearly labelled. This information should be passed on immediately to the Lord’s Larder Safeguarding Officer who is Mr Maurice Banfield
Storage of Safeguarding Reports
Safeguarding records must be stored in an individual file and stored securely in a manner that safeguards the individual’s right to privacy and security. These records are available to individuals on request (not third party information) and may be used as evidence in disciplinary proceedings or in civil or criminal prosecutions. Records no longer required for storage will be shredded.
Whistleblowing
Volunteers are encouraged to take action when suspicious that abuse is occurring no matter what the setting, who the perpetrator is or who the victim is. The Lord’s Larder will respect and not penalise those who stand up for anyone who is suspected of being abused. Concerns should be reported to the Lord’s Larder Safeguarding Officer or the Designated Person
Staff have a responsibility to report any occurrences or suspicions of adult abuse. Staff who report abuses are protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
REMEMBER
It is important that everyone in the foodbank is aware that the person who first encounters a case of alleged or suspected abuse is not responsible for deciding whether or not abuse has occurred. That is a task for the professional vulnerable adult and child protection agencies following a referral to them of concern about someone.
Additional points
Displaying information
• Display the name of the safeguarding officer – Mr Maurice Banfield 07962 475088
• Display the name of the designated person – Mr Michael Wison-Smith 07881 867974
• Make sure all workers in the foodbank project know the name of both officers and how they might be contacted.
Applying agreed procedures for protecting vulnerable adults and children to all volunteers
It is possible to be lulled into a false sense of security, believing that those who work alongside vulnerable adults and children in the foodbank will never be guilty of abuse because they are part of a Christian organisation. It is not safe to assume that all others are automatically safe to be with vulnerable adults or children.
For this reason, all procedures set in place to protect vulnerable adults should apply to all those in contact with them. This is not the same as treating each person who relates to vulnerable adults as being under suspicion, but a matter of taking sensible measures to protect vulnerable adults, which are then observed by everyone. This will involve thought and planning within each group to minimise the risk.
If any volunteer has concerns, please raise them with the designated person. If it is brought to the attention of the designated person and not adequately dealt with the next step is to talk to Social Services / Police as a private citizen to discuss your concerns.
Disclosure of Information
There is a difference between confidentiality and secrecy. All personal and delicate information disclosed to us is confidential, but may not always be secret.
Personal and delicate information about staff and volunteers will be :
• Confidential to the foodbank project and can be shared with staff and volunteers on a “need to know” basis and
• Can be shared with another agency when :
• Permission is given by the person about whom the information is held
• Or There is an overriding justification to share information without the person’s consent
• The law requires it
Expected behaviour towards vulnerable adults when working with the foodbank will be explained to new workers as part of their induction.
It is the foodbank’s policy not to engage in regulated activities (close or personal tasks such as washing, dressing, or accompanying to the lavatory) with vulnerable adults
In all recruitment decisions concerning volunteers:
• A detailed application form should be completed
• Two references should be taken about the suitability of the applicant for the post being considered
• An informal interview will provide an extended conversation to allow an opportunity to explore in more detail the applicant’s experience and motivation for volunteering
• All volunteers will receive a copy of the Lord’s Larder Safeguarding Policy
Criminal Convictions
All volunteers must complete a volunteer application form before commencing work at The Lord’s Larder. Details of criminal convictions (except those “spent” under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) must be provided so an adequate risk assessment can be undertaken
The foodbank project reserves the right to dismiss a volunteer and /or ban them from the property should they feel it necessary
Training
Training in the prevention of abuse and the action to take if abuse occurs should be included as part of the Training Programme for the foodbank and can normally be accessed free of charge via the local authority. Further guidelines concerning the safeguarding policies of your local council can also be obtained free of charge and a copy should be kept available as a reference.
It should be noted that it is insufficient to give workers guidelines without equipping them with the skills and knowledge to carry them out
General
All workers driving any vehicle which transports volunteers or vulnerable adults must hold a valid driver’s licence for the type / class of vehicle they are driving
All vehicles used in the transportation of volunteers and vulnerable adults must have a valid road fund licence, be appropriately insured, have a valid MOT certificate and comply with all appropriate legislation and regulations. Seat sharing is not permitted and seat belts must be worn.
Review
This policy and its implementation will be reviewed at least annually and whenever there are any legislative changes or amendments to guidance issued by relevant statutory bodies
Lord’s Larder Designated Officer Details:-
Mr Michael Wilson-Smith
Safeguarding Policy Issue 4 January 2026