The Redacre Growing Project is committed to ensuring that all members and users are safeguarded while using its services and facilities.

Scope of the Policy

The aim of this policy is to ensure both:

• the safety of vulnerable adults and children by outlining clear procedures for handling safeguarding issues
• that all members and volunteers within Redacre Growing Project are clear about their safeguarding responsibilities.

Definitions

A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 or over:

“Who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness, and is or may be unable to take care of him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.”

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18. Exceptions to this are children who are placed in local authority care who are usually classed as children until 21, and those with special needs are regarded as children while aged under 25.

What is abuse?

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or person. It can take a variety of forms.

Children

• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• psychological/emotional abuse
• neglect

Vulnerable adults

Although the forms of abuse are the same for vulnerable adults, the definitions may alter slightly, with additional forms of abuse which may be relevant to vulnerable

• physical abuse
• sexual abuse