Village Hall

Gittisham Village Hall Committee
2023/24 (April 2023)

Gittisham Village Hall Equality and Diversity Policy
1.0 Introduction
Gittisham Village Hall is committed to encouraging a supportive and inclusive culture amongst its
community by creating a positive place where everyone can enjoy an environment which is safe,
enjoyable and respectful.
This policy reinforces our commitment to providing equality and fairness to all in our hirers and
volunteers and to avoid less favourable facilities or treatment on the grounds of age, disability,
gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnic origin, colour,
nationality, national origin, religion or belief, or sex and sexual orientation. We are opposed to all
forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. 
2.0 Gittisham Village Hall’s Commitment
Our aim is to ensure that all hirers and volunteers are given equal opportunity and that our
organisation is representative of all sections of society.
All hirers and volunteers will be treated fairly and with respect. We will provide help and
encouragement to develop all our staff to their full potential and utilise their unique talents.  
When we select candidates for the Hall Committee or other volunteer positions, it will be on the
basis of their aptitude and ability. 
We are committed to:
 Creating an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of everyone
are recognised and valued. 
 Creating an environment that promotes dignity and respect for everyone. 
 Not tolerating any form of intimidation, bullying, or harassment, and to avoid hiring the
facility to those that breach this policy. 
 Making training available to all volunteers where appropriate 
 Promoting an inclusive culture for all our community and the people that we serve.
 Encouraging anyone who feels they have been subject to discrimination to raise their
concerns so we can apply corrective measures. 
 Encouraging everyone to be treated with dignity and respect. 
 Regularly reviewing all our practices and procedures so that fairness is maintained at all
times.

We seek to promote diversity and inclusion and to respond to the needs of all individuals in a fair
and equitable manner, whilst observing our commitment and responsibility to current legislation. 
3.0 The community’s responsibilities 
All hirers, volunteers and village hall event attendees are required to assist us in meeting our
commitments, to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion and avoid unlawful discrimination. 
We consider acts of discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation as unacceptable behaviour
and hirers supporting this behaviour will result in the hall not be available to hire to those persons in
the future.
4.0 Grievances 
If you consider that you may have been unlawfully discriminated against, you may contact the
committee Chair (Hamish Hall 07880 178297 or ) or any member of the
committee to make a complaint.

SECTION 1
Introduction
Everyone has a duty to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults. This policy promotes
good practice in safeguarding for those using Gittisham Village Hall facilities. The Village Hall
Committee will review it annually.
Definitions
Children and young people: Anyone under the age of 18 years
Vulnerable Adult: Anyone over 18 who is:
• Unable to care for themselves
• Unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation
• Or may be in need of community care services
To whom this policy applies
• This policy applies to anyone working for or on behalf of the Village Hall Committee whether in
a paid, voluntary or commissioned capacity, for example contracted to do a piece of work.
• It also applies to any individual using the Village Hall facilities for the purpose of delivering any
service to children, young people or vulnerable adults.
SECTION 2
Promoting a safe environment
In order to promote a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults, the Village
Hall Committee will:
• Provide safe facilities and do regular safety assessments.
• Ensure that employees, councillors and leaders of activities in / on village hall facilities, are aware
of the safeguarding expectations.
• Ensure that the policy for users of village hall facilities includes a requirement that they are
safe to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. (eg, any adults who have regular
unsupervised contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults during the course of their
duties should undergo appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service checks.)
• Ensure that attendees at village hall events are aware that parents are responsible for their
children’s safety and the location of a dedicated safe place for lost children is clear.
• Display on notice boards the relevant safeguarding contacts for advice and help.
Use of facilities by groups for use with children, young people or vulnerable adults
The Village Hall Committee will require the leaders to:
• Have public liability insurance.
• Have a suitable safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adult policy and/or agree to
work to the Village Hall Committee’s policy and relevant guidance.
• Ensure leaders make their members aware of the Village Hall Committee Policy and ensure that it
is followed whilst using parish facilities.
• Ensure leaders have valid enhanced DBS checks as appropriate and know where the first aid box is.
• Do risk assessments for individual activities.
SECTION 3
Safe working practice
All users of Village Hall facilities must follow the safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable
adult’s policy and procedures at all times. For example they should:

• Never leave children, young people or vulnerable adults unattended with adults who have not
been subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Plan activities to involve more than one person being present or at least in sight or hearing of
others. Alternatively, record, or inform others of their whereabouts and intended action.
• Where possible, have male and female leaders working with a mixed group.
• Ensure registers are complete and attendees are marked in and signed out (under 8s must be
collected by a parent/carer).
• Ensure that photos or videos of individuals are not taken without written permission from parents/
carers.
• Ensure they have access to a first aid kit and telephone and know fire procedures.
 Ensure that where a child, young person or vulnerable adult needs assistance with toilet trips and
when first aid is required, that this is carried out in pairs or in the latter case, that it is carried out
where they can be seen.
• When working outside, ensure activities, breaks and clothing are suitable for the weather
conditions and that shelter is available where possible.
Expectations of behaviour
All users of Village Hall facilities should:
• Ensure that communications, behaviour and interaction with users should be appropriate and
professional.
• Treat each other with respect and show consideration for other groups using the facilities.
• Refrain from any behaviour that involves racism, sexism and bullying and in addition to report any
instances of such behaviour as appropriate.
SECTION 4
Allegations against staff and volunteers
• All staff and volunteers should take care not to place themselves in a vulnerable position with a
child or vulnerable adult.
• If an allegation is made against a volunteer, the person receiving the allegation will immediately
inform the Chair of the Village Hall Committee.
• The Village Hall Committee should follow the relevant council procedures for managing allegations
against volunteers. No attempt should be made to investigate or take action before consultation
with the Local Authority Designated Officer.
Whistleblowing
All volunteers should be aware of their duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions of
colleagues and appropriate advice will be sought from the local authority.
What should be a cause for concern
Volunteers should be concerned by any action or inaction, which significantly harms the physical
and/or emotional development of a child or vulnerable adult. Abuse falls into four main categories
and can include child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation:

1. Physical Abuse
2. Emotional Abuse
3. Sexual Abuse
4. Neglect
   All volunteers coming in to contact with children need to have an awareness of safeguarding