Safeguarding

Bridgwater Foodbank is committed to safeguarding the rights, well-being and safety of all foodbank users, staff and volunteers and especially children and adults with care and support needs. This policy outlines the steps the foodbank will take to ensure that children and adults who have contact with Bridgwater Foodbank are protected from all forms of harm or abuse.

SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

 

As a foodbank, we want to do all that we can to support clients and therefore any observation that we may have of abuse or potential abuse of adults and children will be reported to the relevant bodies.

We seek to ensure that all staff, volunteers and trustees are aware of what is required from them by providing appropriate training on a regular basis. Bridgwater Foodbank employees and volunteers operate in a position of trust and, if required, will have appropriate criminal records (DBS) checks in place.

We fully commit ourselves to following statutory safeguarding guidelines and, if necessary, will co-operate with any official investigation which is conducted by the appropriate statutory service, where it involves the abuse and neglect of children and adults or young people (by an adult or young person) who has been present at the foodbank.

This statement is to be brought to the attention of all staff and volunteers when they join as part of their induction programme.  Any amendments will be brought to the attention of all team members. The statement will be displayed at all locations in which the foodbank operates and all team members will be asked to sign a copy to say they have read it.

Bridgwater Foodbank is committed to practices that protect from harm regardless of a person’s age, gender, disability, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or any other characteristic as covered by the Equality Act 2010.

 

If you have any concerns about the safety of any adult or child at Bridgwater Foodbank then you should contact one of the following who have been approved and trained as safeguarding Officers:

The Safeguarding Officer (SO) is – Vacant

and can be contacted on:

The Secondary Safeguarding Officer (SSO) is– Phil Jarman.

And can be contacted on: 07804 119273

 

In an emergency you should contact the Police or other emergency services on 999.

Bridgwater Foodbank’s Safeguarding Policy can be seen/accessed on main noticeboard and is available from the Manager.

 

Agreed and signed on behalf of Bridgwater Foodbank on: 23-06-25

Secondary Safeguarding Officer: Phil Jarman.

Safeguarding Trustee/Chair: Judith Ballard.

 

We will review this statement and our policy annually.

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