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Safeguarding Policy for Children and for adults at risk

1. Introduction

Kirkstall Art Trail is an annual community event taking place in Kirkstall. We aim to showcase artists and creative activities in and around venues in Kirkstall, for the benefit of the inhabitants of our neighbourhood, West Leeds, and further afield.

2. Statement of intent

Kirkstall Art Trail recognises that anyone working with children and/or adults at risk has a duty to ensure their safety and protection. We acknowledge our duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports, or suspicions of abuse or neglect.

The adult safeguarding duties under the Care Act 2014 apply to an adult, aged 18 or over, who:

  • has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs), and
  • is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
  • as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

Adult safeguarding practice is guided by the six Care Act principles: empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability.

These procedures may, therefore, be relevant to:

  • A person with age-related frailty.
  • A person with a physical disability, a learning disability, or a sensory impairment.
  • A person with mental health needs, including dementia or a personality disorder.
  • A person with a long-term health condition.
  • Someone who misuses substances or alcohol to the extent that it affects their ability to manage day-to-day living.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all coordinators (managing committee), venue hosts, volunteers, artists, participants and visitors, and anyone acting on behalf of Kirkstall Art Trail. Everyone covered by this policy is expected to understand their safeguarding responsibilities and follow these procedures when concerns arise.

4. Policy aim

The policy recognises that the protection of children and adults at risk covers a range of issues that require careful consideration, including: 

  • Recognising abuse
  • Responding to concerns
  • Reporting concerns
  • Safe recruitment
  • Code of conduct

This policy aims to set out in clear terms how these procedures are designed to ensure the safety and protection of children and adults at risk.

5. Recognising abuse

Kirkstall Art Trail recognises that it has a duty to act on reports or concerns of abuse or neglect. We acknowledge that taking action in cases where there are concerns of abuse or neglect is never easy. However, we believe that the safety of the child or adult at risk should override any doubts or hesitations.

5.1. For adults at risk

People with care and support needs are not inherently vulnerable, but they may come to be at risk of abuse or neglect at any point. Everyone needs to be aware of and look out for possible signs of abuse.

Types of abuse:

  • Physical abuse
  • Domestic abuse*
  • Sexual abuse
  • Psychological abuse
  • Financial or material abuse
  • Modern slavery
  • Discriminatory abuse
  • Organisational abuse
  • Neglect or acts of omission
  • Self-neglect
  • Non-recent abuse

* The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 emphasises that domestic abuse is not just physical violence, but can also be emotional, controlling or coercive, and economic abuse.

5.2. For children

Types of abuse also include: 

  • Bullying and cyberbullying
  • Female genital mutilation (FGM)
  • Child sexual exploitation
  • Grooming
  • Child trafficking
  • Criminal exploitation and gangs
  • Non-recent abuse
  • Online abuse

For definitions and more information, please see https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse

6. Signs of abuse

Possible signs of abuse include:

  • No explanation for injuries or inconsistency with the account of what happened.
  • Bruising, cuts, welts, burns, and/or marks on the body, or loss of hair in clumps.
  • Frequent injuries and/or untreated injuries.
  • Self-harming.
  • Malnutrition or unexplained weight loss.
  • Low self-esteem.
  • Poor concentration or withdrawal.
  • Uncharacteristic failure to engage in social interaction.
  • Appear scared, upset, angry, or sad.
  • Uncooperative and aggressive behaviour.
  • Reluctance to be alone with a particular person.
  • Poor physical condition and/or personal hygiene.
  • Inappropriate or inadequate clothing.
  • Fear of outside intervention.
  • Feeling that the abuse is their fault when it is not.
  • They disclose abuse, or describe what appears to be an abusive act.

7. Who to report to

A responsible member of the management committee will be appointed to take on the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

The DSL will act as a contact for any volunteers or workers who raise a concern.

It is not the DSL’s responsibility to investigate incidents of suspected abuse but to gather information and refer only.

The DSL will ensure that the Kirkstall Art Trail management committee receives any relevant copies of policies and procedures in relation to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk.

The DSL will record any reported incidents and/or concerns raised about the safety of any children or adults at risk in an incident book. The incident book is confidential and kept in a secure place at the information point.

Information Point location – St Stephen’s Church Hall, Norman Street.

If any incidents or safeguarding concerns are raised about children or adults at risk, they should be reported immediately to the DSL, Deputy Safeguarding Lead, a coordinator, a venue host, or at the Information Point.

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Chris Long (07568 128 726)

Deputy Safeguarding Lead – Mindy Goose (07969 647 027)

If the DSL is unavailable, concerns should be reported to the Deputy Safeguarding Lead. If neither safeguarding lead is available and the concern is urgent, contact the appropriate local safeguarding service or the police using the emergency and referral details below. If the concern relates to the DSL, report it to the Deputy Safeguarding Lead or another responsible member of the management committee.

The roles and responsibilities above should be read alongside the reporting procedures below. They do not replace the duty of every person covered by this policy to act promptly where there is a safeguarding concern.

8. Emergencies

If abuse is witnessed or has just taken place at Kirkstall Art Trail, you should:

  • Ensure your own safety.
  • Check if the victim of abuse requires medical attention. Call an ambulance if needed (phone 999).
  • Where a crime has just been or is being committed, call the police (phone 999).
  • Preserve any physical evidence.
  • Make a written record of everything you have witnessed.

Written statements are to be given to the DSL, Deputy Safeguarding Lead, a coordinator, a venue host, or the appropriate person, such as the police, as soon as possible.

9. Responding to concerns

Kirkstall Art Trail recognises that we have a duty to act on concerns of abuse or neglect.

Any concern you have will be listened to and dealt with seriously. It is your duty of care to raise a concern. Do not ignore or expect somebody else to deal with it. You should:

9.1. Have a conversation with the child or adult

  • Find a quiet but visible place to have a conversation at the earliest opportunity, avoiding unnecessary one-to-one situations where possible.
  • If possible, and with consent, ask another volunteer or worker, venue host, coordinator, DSL, or Deputy Safeguarding Lead to sit in and listen to the conversation as well.
  • If applicable, tell them about your concerns.
  • Do not ask leading questions. It is okay to ask non-leading questions, for example: “I’ve noticed that you don’t appear yourself today; is everything okay?”
  • Try to establish their views. Do they see the issue as a cause for concern or not?
  • If something has happened, get their views on what has happened and what they want done about it.
  • Listen carefully to what they have to say and take it seriously.
  • Support the individual to ask questions and understand the issue of confidentiality.
  • Explain what will happen next, and how they will be kept informed and supported.
  • Do not promise complete confidentiality. Explain that information will only be shared with people who need to know, but may need to be shared without consent if someone is at risk of harm, a crime may have been committed, or there is a wider public safety concern.

9.2. Record what has happened

  • Use a pen with black ink if you can.
  • Ensure written records are clear and detailed.
  • Make a written record of the conversation as soon as you can, while it is fresh in your mind, and sign and date it.
  • It may be possible to take notes at the time the allegation is being made. Try to note down what the person actually says, using their own words and phrases. Also, make a note of what you said and did in response.
  • Record your own observations, if any, and those that other witnesses have brought to you. For example, records of any injuries, behaviours, etc.
  • Factual information should be clearly separated from the expression of opinion.
  • Respect confidentiality and only share information with those who need to know in order to keep people safe, make a safeguarding referral, or meet legal responsibilities.
  • Ensure any written document is kept safely and securely (in line with the Privacy Policy). Be aware that your report may be required later, for example, as part of a legal action.
  • Do not confront the alleged abuser yourself, or tell them about the allegation.

Notify the DSL or Deputy Safeguarding Lead about your concern as soon as possible, using the contact details above. If appropriate, the DSL or Deputy Safeguarding Lead will contact Adult Social Care, Children’s Social Work Services, or the police.

Remember that it is not your responsibility (or Kirkstall Art Trail’s) to investigate incidents of suspected abuse, but to gather information and refer only.

You can refer to the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) website if you need advice or information for yourself or to share with the person concerned: www.leedssafeguardingadults.org.uk

10. Designated safeguarding lead responsibilities

The DSL is the first point of contact. They will raise any concerns using the contact details below.

10.1. Adults at risk of abuse or neglect

https://leedssab.org.uk/public/reporting-abuse

  • During office hours. You can get urgent help from the adult social care team. (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm except Wednesdays when they open at 10am). Phone: 0113 222 4401
  • Weekends, nights, bank holidays. The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) deals with urgent calls and emails on weekends, evenings, overnight, and bank holidays. There is usually one person on duty at a time.

You can call the EDT about adults who need:

  • Immediate protection from abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or exploitation (safeguarding concerns).
  • Urgent care and they cannot wait until the next working day.
  • Urgent help is needed because their care arrangements have broken down, for example, if their carer is not available or their equipment is broken.
  • An urgent assessment under the Mental Health Act.

Give them as much information as you can so that they can help in the best way.

Phone 0113 378 0644

Email edt.ss@leeds.gov.uk

10.2. Children and young people

https://www.leedsscp.org.uk/reporting-a-concern/public

  • During office hours (9.00am – 5.00pm) call Children’s Social Work Services. Phone: 0113 2224403
  • Out of office hours, if the issue cannot wait until the next working day, contact the Children’s Emergency Duty Team on 0113 535 0600. If you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

11. Safeguarding code of conduct

Kirkstall Art Trail will ensure that volunteers and workers, venue hosts, coordinators, artists, and other people acting on behalf of Kirkstall Art Trail who are in contact with children and adults at risk follow this Code of Conduct at all times.

The code is designed to minimise situations where abuse may occur by stipulating that:

  • Most activities are within a group setting, but if there is a need for a volunteer or worker, venue host, coordinator, artist, or other person acting on behalf of Kirkstall Art Trail to work alone with a child or adult at risk, it must be organised in clear view of others.
  • Volunteers and workers, venue hosts, coordinators, artists, and other people acting on behalf of Kirkstall Art Trail must ensure that physical contact is not exploitative and is not open to misunderstanding. People must be encouraged to communicate what they find acceptable and unacceptable in the way they are approached by others.
  • Volunteers and workers, venue hosts, coordinators, artists, and other people acting on behalf of Kirkstall Art Trail must use appropriate language that is not discriminatory, abusive, or victim-blaming.
  • Confidential material collected about participants or visitors, for example contact details or care needs, must be treated with respect and only shared with volunteers and workers, venue hosts, coordinators, the DSL, or Deputy Safeguarding Lead on a need-to-know basis.
  • Volunteers and workers, venue hosts, coordinators, artists, and other people acting on behalf of Kirkstall Art Trail must follow our whistleblowing policy. This ensures that if they have a serious concern about anything happening at the organisation, these concerns can be reported without the person being worried about being punished or treated unfairly.
  • Volunteers and workers, venue hosts, coordinators, artists, and other people acting on behalf of Kirkstall Art Trail are required to report any incidents or concerns in accordance with this policy as soon as possible.

12. Safer recruitment

Kirkstall Art Trail volunteers and workers, venue hosts, coordinators, artists, and other people acting on behalf of Kirkstall Art Trail generally do not work with children and/or adults at risk without supervision from a parent, guardian, or support worker. For all our activities, children must be accompanied by an adult.

All volunteers and workers, venue hosts, coordinators, artists, contractors, and other people acting on behalf of Kirkstall Art Trail are provided with our Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy.

Candidates for any paid roles:

  • Complete and sign an application form and attend an in-person interview so we can fully assess their suitability for the role.
  • Provide the contact details for two referees, which are followed up by the office staff. If required, the reference questionnaire will include a question on their suitability to work with children or adults with care and support needs.

Where an individual is in a role involving direct interaction with children or adults at risk we ensure that they:

  • Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the highest level allowed for their position.
  • Are given copies of our safeguarding policies and asked to sign a document to confirm they have read, understood, and accepted their safeguarding responsibilities.
  • Are provided with basic safeguarding training.

13. Monitor and Review

Kirkstall Art Trail will monitor and review this policy annually, or sooner if there are changes in legislation, statutory guidance, local safeguarding procedures, or following a safeguarding incident.

14. Last reviewed

11 June 2026