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Policy Statements
Language Policy Statement
Blaen Bran Community Woodland (BBCW) recognises that bi-lingualism is
encouraged for voluntary sector organisations in Wales under the Welsh
Language Act.
Requests for information in the Welsh language will be addressed through
seeking appropriate translation by Local Authority approved language services,
and information notices posted in the community woodland will, whenever
possible, be provided in bilingual format.
Environmental Policy Statement
Introduction
Our aims are very much to maintain and enhance the local environment
of the Blane Bran woodland are as expressed in our Articles of Association:
• To preserve and maintain the land known as Coed Gwaun-y-Fferiad
area of Upper Cwmbran in the interests of social welfare to provide a
place of exercise and recreation for the benefit of the inhabitants of
the town of Cwmbran and its neighbourhood and visitors (without distinction
of sex, race or of political, religious or other opinions) including the
provision of activities and recreational facilities and the erection of
any buildings suitable for or ancillary to these purposes
Guidance
Our projects will make an important contribution to the quality of the
local environment, and to securing this environment for future generations
to enjoy. We undertake to:
• Use resources responsibly, reusing and recycling materials as
appropriately and fully as possible
• Highlight awareness of environmental issues to members of the
local community who use the woodland.
• Use local and sustainable products as far as possible in our projects
• Ensure that contractor and volunteers engaged on projects are
made fully aware of environmental considerations and that materials used
on projects are collected for re-use, recycling and safe disposal.
Volunteering Policy
Introduction
The aims of Blaen Bran Community Woodland (BBCW) are outlined in our
Articles of Association and are:
(1) To preserve and maintain the land known as Coed Gwaun-y-Fferiad area
of Upper Cwmbran in the interests of social welfare to provide a place
of exercise and recreation for the benefit of the inhabitants of the town
of Cwmbran and its neighbourhood and visitors (without distinction of
sex, race or of political, religious or other opinions) including the
provision of activities and recreational facilities and the erection of
any buildings suitable for or ancillary to these purposes.
(2) In the interests of conservation to develop, conserve, protect and
restore the natural resources and animals and plant life at Coed Gwaun-y-Fferiad
(3) To advance public knowledge by the conservation, protection, restoration
and development of natural resources, and animals and plant life at Coed
Gwaun-y-Fferiad: and
(4) To further such other charitable purposes as the trustees in their
discretion determine
A number of practical tasks are carried out with the support and co-operation
of local volunteers, including tree planting, bracken bashing, staking
up trees, dry stone walling, and other woodland tasks.
Guidelines
* Discussions will be held with prospective volunteers to find out what
they would like to do, and how they might get involved.
* On practical work sessions, volunteers will be given a briefing on
work involved and taken through a short risk assessment as to safety measures.
Demonstration training will be given as necessary.
* Volunteers will be given the contact numbers of BBCW committee members
and woodland agent, and will have the opportunity to feedback during and
on completion of work done.
* All volunteers are covered by the BBCW volunteers insurance (with BTCV
Cymru) whilst they are engaged in any work on behalf of the group.
* Volunteers will be taken through risk assessment and procedures for
health and safety, with a designated lead for each event/activity undertaken.
* Volunteers will receive details of the BBCW website for contacts and
information, and are welcome to pass on feedback either verbally or electronically.
Child Protection Policy
A. Introduction
BBCW wants children to enjoy their involvement with the woodland and it
is important that we inform, educate and enthuse children about the work
we do.
Through this Policy we aim to:
• adopt the highest possible standards and
• take all reasonable steps in relation to the safety and welfare
of the children with whom we come into contact in relation to our membership
of and work with the B.B.C.W.
It is impossible to ensure that no child ever comes to any harm while
in contact with the BBCW. However implementing this policy and following
the guidelines will enable us to undertake our work with children confident
that we have taken all reasonable precautions to prevent harm occurring
while being prepared to deal with an incident should it occur.
B.B.C.W. expects you to apply this policy to all of your work with children
and young people under the age of 18 years. You should apply similar safeguards
when dealing with vulnerable people of all ages. All references to child
or children throughout this Policy and Guidelines should be taken to refer
to those referred to above.
BBCW’S work with children and young people
It is important to remember that as a member of BBCW you may come into
contact with children in a wide range of situations. In addition to organised
visits to the forest, these will include:
• children using recreation
• children attending events
• children coming to the woodland as part of event days such as
‘organised theme walks and;
• young people doing organised work.
It is important that this policy is seen to apply and the guidelines followed
in all situations in which you have contact with children, young people
and vulnerable people of all ages.
To whom does this policy apply
The policy applies to:
• all members and
to those whose work with the BBCW brings them into contact with children
eg.
• contractors
• volunteers
• any other person working with the BBCW within the woods.
All those covered by the policy have a duty to do everything reasonable
in their power to ensure the safety and welfare of children while they
are in contact with BBCW.
B. Duties
You are expected to:
• Respect the wishes of a child as you would an adult, you must
not impose yourself on them.
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare
of any child in contact with the BBCW.
• Remember that children regard adults as role models and ensure
your behaviour, language, gestures etc. are appropriate and above reproach.
• Be aware of Child Protection issues in relation to the work you
do and do not become complacent and believe ‘it could never happen
to me’.
• Prevent any other member from putting any child in a situation
in which there is a significant risk to their health and safety. Take
appropriate action if you become aware of anyone physically, emotionally
or sexually abusing a child.
• Report any evidence or reasonable suspicion that a child has been
physically, emotionally or sexually abused whether by an adult or another
child to a Trustee of BBCW.
• Not physically, emotionally or sexually abuse any child or young
or vulnerable person.
C. Responsibilities
Activities where a non BBCW person eg parent, teacher or other group leader
accompanies a child or leads a group.
Where children are accompanied by an adult primary responsibility for
the children remains with that person. BBCW members should nonetheless
use the Child Protection Policy and Guidelines as the basis for their
action and any advice they offer. They should not agree to anything that
contravenes the Policy and is not in line with the Guidelines.
If, due to illness or another unexpected event a BBCW member is left in
charge of a child or group then they should act in accordance with BBCW
Policy and Guidelines.
Activities where children are unaccompanied
In most instances the children you come into contact with will be accompanied
by a teacher or parent. However should you be the leader of an unaccompanied
group then it is your responsibility to:
• plan the activities and make decisions during the event following
the principles set out in these Policy and Guidelines.
• assign clear tasks to others involved in the children’s
activities and ensure that procedures are followed
• maintain appropriate child to adult ratios as required by the
relevant local authority and ensure that your decisions are based on the
principles described in the Child Protection Guidelines.
This must underpin your main aim of providing an enjoyable and safe experience
for the children.
Occasional assistance provided by a member of staff who has not been through
the Disclosure process
Any member of staff may assist in activities with children on an occasional
basis. They may do so only if the group is led by a parent, teacher or
other group leader or member of staff who has been appointed following
the necessary pre-appointment checks. The person leading the activities
must be the one to allocate tasks and make relevant decisions. The FC
member of staff must not agree to anything that is not in line with the
BBCW Policy and Guidelines.
Volunteers ‘recruited’ by the BBCW
Offers of help whether from other members or other individuals are always
welcome and should be encouraged.
When a volunteer is ‘recruited’ by BBCW, and is to work with
children they must be made aware we have a Policy and Guidelines and agree
to work in accordance with them.
D. Golden Rule - Safety in numbers
In as many situations as possible we should aim to ensure that no adult
is in a one to one situation with a child. Safety in numbers should be
the golden rule, whether the numbers are other children or adults.
If for any reason a one to one situation is unavoidable eg work placement
then additional safeguards should be put in place.
E. Disclosure
Appointments
Appointment to a post that involves regular, substantial or unaccompanied
contact with children.
All individuals appointed to posts which involve regular, substantial
or unaccompanied contact with children will be subject to pre-appointment
checks aimed at assuring the BBCW of their suitability to work with children.
These will include the applicant being asked to apply to The Criminal
Records Bureau (CRB) or Disclosure Scotland, for either a Standard or
Enhanced Disclosure. For most posts a Standard Disclosure will be appropriate.
However if the post involves:
• regularly managing events with unaccompanied children;
• contact with children over a series of events;
• or situations involving one to one contact;
then an Enhanced Disclosure should be sought.
The appointment will only proceed if:
• the pre-employment checks prove satisfactory
and
• the Disclosure provides no cause for concern as to their suitability
to work with children.
This applies whether the appointment is the result of recruitment or an
internal move. Managers must also be mindful of these requirements as
the content of posts develop over time and new tasks are assigned.
Individuals awaiting receipt of Disclosure
Any person who is requested to apply for a Disclosure must be accompanied
when they are dealing with children until the unit manager is advised
the Disclosure has been received.
F. When working with others involves children
Contractors and Franchisees
BBCW may only engage contractors or franchisees whose work involves ‘regular,
substantial or unaccompanied’ contact with children if the individual
produces a Disclosure certificate. If the Co-signatory requires a further
Disclosure or a Disclosure at a different level is sought BBCW will act
as the Co-Signatory though the individual will be required to pay the
fee.
Partners
Where BBCW is working in partnership with other organisations and the
work involves children, young people or vulnerable people of any age BBCW
will use the Policy and Guidelines as the basis for discussion and where
appropriate include explicit conditions relating to child protection in
the partnership agreement. This may be achieved by a simple reference
to our Policy and Guidelines and/or those of our partners. Copies of the
Policy and Guidelines may be shared with other organisations to assist
this process.
G. Incidents
Lost or injured children
Any member that deals regularly with children, whether accompanied or
unaccompanied should have an agreed framework for dealing with a lost
or injured child. All staff in the unit should be made aware of the framework.
H. Allegation of abuse
It is to be hoped that you will never have to deal with an alleged incident
of child abuse. But it is sensible that you are prepared to do so if necessary
and this will be assisted if you have discussed the issue locally
There are four likely scenarios which you should be aware of and be prepared
to deal with if necessary. These are;
• There is suspicion or evidence that a child is being abused by
a or other person associated with the BBCW.
• A child accuses a member or other person associated with the BBCW
of abusing them.
• Abuse takes place or is suspected on within the woodland or at
a BBCW event by individual unrelated to BBCW.
• A child discloses abuse happening elsewhere eg at home
In all cases you must:
• Be prompt, calm, assured and professional
• Keep any details strictly confidential and share only on a ‘need
to know’ basis.
• Discuss the problem with the chairman of BBCW or other nominated
person.
I. Allegations against members
Though our focus must be on safeguarding children you must also be aware
that allegations of abuse made by children about adults do occasionally
happen. Some prove mistaken or, very rarely, malicious. The Policy and
Guidelines are there to help you to avoid situations in which well-intentioned
actions could be misinterpreted and ensure that you do not find yourself
in a situation where an allegation by a child, young or vulnerable person
can be made.
J. Use of Information relating to children
Information about children eg names and addresses, must be treated confidentially.
It must be kept securely by the group leader, stored only as long as necessary
and disposed of in a way which maintains their confidentiality.
K. Discussion of the issues
Open discussion of child protection should be encouraged since this helps
to make staff more comfortable with the issues involved. Do not keep it
‘under wraps’ for fear of upsetting or embarrassing people.
Equal Opportunity Policy
A. STATEMENT OF POLICY
BBCW aims to provide membership, election to the Board of Directors and
employment as an equal opportunity organisation.
This policy will cover all aspects of advertising, awarding contracts
and use of the woodland and attendance of organised events.
B. DEFINITIONS
Personal Status – refers to sex, race, nationality, or ethnic or
national origins, marital status, disability, age or religious beliefs.
Discrimination – is where a person is treated less favourably than
another not on merits of the case but on grounds of Personal Status.
BBCW is an Equal Opportunities employer and will seek to ensure that every
applicant for a job or membership or every member or employee shall be
given equal opportunity whatever his or her Personal Status. Persons already
employed or in membership will be made aware of this policy.
The application of any recruit, training and promotion policies will be
solely on the basis of job requirement and the individual’s ability
and fitness for that work. All persons responsible for the selection,
management and promotion of employees will be given information and/or
training to enable them to minimise the risk of discrimination. Recruitment
literature and advertisement will not imply that there is a preference
for one group of applicants as against another unless there is genuine
occupational requirement that will be clearly stated.
Applicants for posts will be given clear, accurate and sufficient information
through advertisement, job description and interviews to enable them to
assess their own suitability for the post. Appropriate action is taken
where necessary to redress the effects of any action, policy or criteria
that are found to have unjustifiably limited the observation of BBCW Equal
Opportunities Statement.
Particular care is taken to deal with any complaint or discrimination
and sexual harassment.
Health and Safety Policy
Every event and activity within the woodland project will have an event co-ordinator, who will be one of the Directors or the Agent. They will have the responsibility to co-ordinate the event and to ensure that a risk assessment is conducted regarding activities to be undertaken, with this being logged.
The event co-ordinator will:
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Brief those volunteers taking part in event/activity on the risk assessment and any emergency procedure to follow
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Ensure that a first aid kit is available for volunteer use
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Ensure that a mobile telephone is available to make emergency contact, if required.
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Organise volunteers into work parties/teams as necessary
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Distribute and collect equipment to be used
All volunteers will:
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Have a responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves and others to maintain a healthy and safe working environment
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Report any health and safety issues encountered to the event co-ordinator
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Familiarise themselves with where First Aid box is on site for work projects undertaken
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Not enter a situation that might endanger themselves or others
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Not operate equipment which they have not had training for, and will use any equipment in full accordance with manufacturer operating instructions.
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Act in a reasonable manner with due regard and respect for themselves and others
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Ensure that hands are washed before eating, drinking or smoking
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Bring appropriate clothing and foot wear for tasks to be undertaken, i.e. coats for wet/cold weather protection, stout shoes/boots, gloves, hats.
Children in the woodland are covered in the separate Child Protection policy.
The Charity's objects
(the Objects) are:
(1) The provision and maintenance of
the Coed Gwaun-Y-Ffeiriad area of Upper Cwmbrân, to advance
education of the public in good forest management, provide recreational
facilities, and to encourage good forest practice through consultation
and environmental assessments without distinction of sex, sexual
orientation, race, age, disability, nationality or of religious
or other opinions.
(2) The provision as described in 3 (1),
will exclude the use of motor vehicles in the woodland area, other
than those required for management or forestry purposes and access
by designated user groups, in particular disability groups and individuals
with a disability.
(3) To carry out such other charitable purposes,
for the benefit of those living or working in Torfaen, (“the
area of benefit”), as the trustees in their absolute discretion
from time to time decide. |
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