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Park Charter and Safeguarding Policy

Park Charter and Safeguarding Policy image bannerApplies to: Everyone using Ightenhill Park and taking part in Friends of Ightenhill Park activities.

Our purpose

We’re a volunteer-led group working with Burnley Borough Council to keep Ightenhill Park welcoming, safe and well-used. This charter sets out the standards we keep — and the behaviours we ask of everyone who enjoys the park.

Our commitments

  • Welcoming & inclusive: We treat everyone with respect. We promote equal access for all ages and abilities.

  • Safe & responsible: We plan activities, use risk assessments, and follow safeguarding good practice.

  • Clean & green: We protect wildlife, plant for biodiversity, and leave spaces tidier than we found them.

  • Community-led: We listen to residents, publish updates, and meet regularly with the Council’s Green Spaces team.

  • Transparent: We thank funders/supporters openly and report our impact through News & Reports.

What we ask of visitors

  • Be considerate: Share paths, keep noise down near homes and the community garden, and respect other park users.

  • Take litter home: Or use the bins provided. Report overflowing bins or hazards to the Council.

  • Care for nature: Keep to paths where requested; don’t disturb nests, beehives or planted areas.

  • Dogs: Keep dogs under control; use leads where signed; pick up after your dog and use bins.

  • BBQs, fires & glass: Not permitted in the park unless expressly signed/approved by the Council.

  • Vehicles & drones: No unauthorised vehicles or drone flying in the park.

  • Play areas & equipment: Use considerately; report any damage so it can be made safe.

  • Anti-social behaviour: Please don’t tolerate it — report issues.

During Friends activities & events

  • Follow volunteer leads: Please listen to briefings and follow safety instructions on the day.

  • Children & young people: Must be accompanied by a parent/carer unless an activity states otherwise and supervision is arranged.

  • Photography: We’ll ask permission before taking identifiable photos; you can opt out at any time.

  • Smoking & alcohol: Not during volunteer sessions; for events, follow event-specific rules.

  • Accessibility: Tell us any access needs in advance so we can plan to include you.

Reporting

  • Emergencies or crime in progress: Call 999.

  • Non-emergency police matters: Call 101.

  • Park maintenance issues/damage: Report to Burnley Borough Council via their website/contact centre.

  • Let us know too: Facebook group message, we can support follow-up and keep others informed.

How we update this charter

Reviewed at least annually by the Friends committee and updated on our website.

Safeguarding Policy 

(Children, Young People and Adults at Risk)

Policy statement

Friends of Ightenhill Park is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk who engage with our activities and events. 

We believe everyone has the right to feel safe and be treated with respect and dignity. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

ScopeRoles & responsibilitiesCode of behaviour for adultsSafer volunteering & recruitmentPlanning safe activitiesPhotography, filming & social mediaRecognising and responding to concernsAllegations about volunteers or committee membersData protection & recordsAllegations about volunteers or committee membersAdults at riskWhistleblowingTraining & awarenessPolicy review

Scope

This policy applies to all volunteers, committee members, contractors and partners acting on behalf of Friends of Ightenhill Park at meetings, volunteer sessions and public events in or connected to the park.

Roles & responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): [Name], [phone/email]

Deputy DSL: [Name], [phone/email]

Committee: Ensures this policy is implemented, reviewed annually, and that volunteers know how to raise concerns.

All volunteers: Follow this policy and code of behaviour; report concerns promptly.

Code of behaviour for adults

 Volunteers must:

  • Treat everyone with respect; challenge discriminatory or bullying behaviour.

  • Work openly — wherever possible be within sight of others; avoid being alone 1-to-1 with a child.

  • Use only age-appropriate language and content; keep professional boundaries.

  • Obtain consent for photographs/video; never share children’s personal details online.

  • Report concerns immediately; don’t promise confidentiality.

Volunteers must not:

  • Hit, shout at, humiliate, or otherwise abuse anyone.

  • Initiate physical contact beyond what is appropriate for the task (e.g., guiding safely).

  • Exchange personal contact details or communicate privately with under-18s.

  • Transport a child alone in a vehicle without prior, explicit consent and agreement from a lead volunteer.

Volunteer agreement form

Safer volunteering & recruitment

Role descriptions for volunteers in positions of trust.

Collect basic details/emergency contacts; verify identity.

Where roles meet legal thresholds for “regulated activity” (e.g., unsupervised work with children), obtain DBS checks and follow safer recruitment steps (references where proportionate).

All volunteers confirm they’ve read this policy and the code of behaviour before taking part.


Planning safe activities

  • Risk assessment: Prepared for volunteer sessions and events; includes safeguarding considerations (supervision, first aid, tools, environment, weather).

  • Supervision: Adequate adult oversight appropriate to the activity and participants.

  • Briefing: Short safety and safeguarding brief at the start of sessions.

  • First aid: Identify the first aider and kit location; record incidents.

Photography, filming & social media

  • Obtain consent before taking identifiable photos or video of individuals.

  • Use group shots where possible; avoid naming children; respect anyone who opts out.

  • Store media securely; remove on request.

  • Only publish on official Friends channels managed by the committee.

Recognising and responding to concerns

 If someone is in immediate danger: call 999.

Otherwise:

  1. Listen & reassure. Don’t investigate; don’t promise confidentiality.

  2. Record facts (date/time, who, what, where) using the Incident/Concern form.

  3. Report to the DSL as soon as possible the same day.

  4. DSL actions: Decide next steps, which may include contacting:

    • Burnley Borough Council / Lancashire safeguarding services (children or adults at risk).

    • Police (101/999) for criminal concerns or ongoing risk.

    • LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) if the concern is about a volunteer/adult in a position of trust.

  5. Follow-up: Keep a clear, dated record of actions and outcomes.

Allegations about volunteers or committee members

Remove the person from unsupervised activity pending advice from the LADO/police.

DSL consults with the LADO/police before informing the individual, to avoid prejudicing enquiries.

The committee records decisions and actions. Confidentiality is maintained on a need-to-know basis.

Data protection & records

  • Store concern/incident records securely and restrict access to the DSL/Deputy and Chair.

  • Keep only what’s necessary and retain for no longer than needed for safeguarding and legal purposes.

  • Handle personal data in line with our Privacy Notice.

Allegations about volunteers or committee members

Remove the person from unsupervised activity pending advice from the LADO/police.

DSL consults with the LADO/police before informing the individual, to avoid prejudicing enquiries.

The committee records decisions and actions. Confidentiality is maintained on a need-to-know basis.

Adults at risk

Apply the same principles, with attention to capacity and consent. Where someone lacks capacity or is at risk of harm, seek advice from adult social care or the police as appropriate.

Whistleblowing

We encourage anyone to raise concerns about safeguarding practice. Concerns can be raised with the DSL, the Chair, or directly with the Council/police if you feel you cannot raise it within the group.

Training & awareness

DSL/Deputy complete basic safeguarding training and refresh every 2–3 years.

Short, annual volunteer briefing (in person or written) covering this policy and how to report concerns.

Policy review

Reviewed annually or sooner if there is a safeguarding incident, a significant change to activities, or changes in national/local guidance.