Sevenoaks Larder Safeguarding Policy

Effective from 1st August 2025

Approved by: The Sevenoaks Larder Board of Trustees

Date approved: 17th July 2025

Date of next review: January 2025

Policy owner: Andrea Watson (Trustee, Designated Safeguarding Officer (“DSO”))

Designated Safeguarding Officer: Andrea Watson
📧 andrea.sevenoakslarder@gmail.com 07747 133750

 

 

Our Commitment

At Sevenoaks Larder, we want everyone - clients, volunteers, and visitors - to feel safe, respected, and supported. Safeguarding duties apply to certain groups of people. This policy sets out how we protect those people and fulfill our duty to these groups:

• Children and young people

• Adults who may be at risk of harm or exploitation

We take all safeguarding concerns seriously, act promptly, and work with the appropriate services when needed.

 

 

Who This Policy Applies To

Sevenoaks Larder is an entirely volunteer led organisation and doesn’t employ any staff. 

This policy is for:

• All volunteers (including delivery drivers)

• Trustees

• Clients

• Visitors

• Partner organisations

It applies wherever Sevenoaks Larder activities take place - on site or in the community, including during food deliveries.

 

 

Who is an “Adult at risk”?

An adult at risk is anyone aged 18 or over who:

• Needs care, support, or assistance because of age, illness, disability, or mental health

• May not be able to protect themselves from harm or abuse

Everyone has the right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect

• Make their own choices

• Feel safe and supported

 

 

Child Safety

Sevenoaks Larder does not provide any services directly to children but sometimes comes into contact with children through clients and visitors:

• Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when attending Sevenoaks Larder

• Concerns about a child’s wellbeing or safety must be reported to the Safeguarding Officer or appropriate authorities

• Volunteers who interact with children e.g. if I child visits the Sevenoaks Larder with their parent, should avoid one-to-one contact with that child or other children without another adult present

 

 

Volunteer Training and Conduct

To help keep everyone safe:

• All volunteers who interact with clients - including delivery drivers - are subject to Disclosure & Barring Service checks and are required to complete basic safeguarding training.

• Volunteers who interact with clients should understand the signs of abuse, know how to respond if something doesn’t feel right, and how to report concerns.

• Volunteers are expected to act professionally, respect personal boundaries, and maintain client confidentiality at all times.

Delivery drivers must:

• Avoid entering a client’s home unless absolutely necessary and safe to do so

• Report any concerns or uncomfortable situations to the Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible 

• Never offer support outside of their volunteering role (e.g. giving personal contact details, lending money, etc.)

 

 

Reducing Risk

We will plan our work to minimise risk by:

• Ensuring clear roles and expectations for volunteers

• Ensuring Disclosure & Barring Service checks are carried out for all relevant volunteers

• Providing safeguarding guidance during volunteer induction

• Displaying the name and contact of the Safeguarding Officer on site and in volunteer materials

• Encouraging an open culture where concerns are shared and addressed quickly

• Ensuring that we regularly review and update  our policies and procedures to ensure they are working appropriately and reflect the current state of knowledge and legislation

 

 

Raising a Concern

If you're worried about the safety of a client, child, or fellow volunteer:

• Contact our Designated Safeguarding Officer, Andrea Watson, as soon as possible

• If someone is in immediate danger, call 999

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Doing nothing is not an option - if you know or suspect that a vulnerable adult or child is the subject of abuse you should report it as soon as possible and keep a record of your actions.

Volunteers are not responsible for investigating concerns—just for passing them on.

 

 

If You Have a Concern About the Safeguarding Officer

If your concern involves the Safeguarding Officer, if you don’t feel comfortable speaking to them, or if the safeguarding officer is not available you can contact:

Gordon Lee
Chair of Trustees
📧 gordon.sevenoakslarder@gmail.com

Gordon will treat your concern with the same urgency, care, and confidentiality. You will not be penalised for raising a concern in good faith.

 

 

Recording Safeguarding Concerns

If a concern is raised:

• The Safeguarding Officer will record the facts promptly, clearly, securely, and confidentially

• Records will include names, dates, what was said or observed, and the action taken

• The Safeguarding Officer will consider the concern and decide if it needs to be reported to a relevant agency e.g. if there is a concern that a client may be a suicide risk, they will contact local social services in order that they may provide suitable support

• If anyone e.g. a volunteer, raises an issue with the safeguarding officer, they will keep a record of this concern and their actions

• Individuals can request to see information held about them (except third-party content)

 

 

Whistleblowing

If you see something that doesn’t feel right, speak up. All volunteers are protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 when reporting concerns in good faith. Sevenoaks Larder will support anyone who raises a concern.

 

 

Sharing Information

We treat all personal information with care and confidentiality. However, we may need to share details when:

• Someone gives permission

• There is a serious risk of harm

• We are legally required to do so

We always share the minimum necessary and only with trusted parties (e.g. social services or safeguarding teams).

 

 

Legal Guidance

This policy is guided by:

• The Care Act 2014

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)

• Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

• Equality Act 2010

 

 

Sevenoaks Larder is a registered independent food bank.
Charity Registration No: 1192371

Registered address: Hope Church, Mill Lane Sevenoaks TN14 5BX

 

 

Appendix

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Safeguarding Adults: 14 Categories of Abuse

Category

Definition

Examples

1. Physical abuse

Deliberate use of force causing pain, injury, or impairment.

Hitting, slapping, kicking, misuse of medication, inappropriate restraint.

2. Sexual abuse

Any sexual activity without consent, or where the person is unable to consent.

Rape, sexual assault, unwanted touching, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation.

3. Psychological / Emotional abuse

Ongoing behaviour that causes emotional harm, distress, or undermines self-worth.

Threats, humiliation, intimidation, controlling behaviour, isolation.

4. Financial or material abuse

Illegal or improper use of a person’s money, property, or assets.

Theft, fraud, scams, coercion to sign documents, misuse of benefits or possessions.

5. Neglect and acts of omission

Failure to meet an adult’s basic needs, whether deliberate or unintentional.

Ignoring medical needs, withholding food, medication, heating, or care support.

6. Discriminatory abuse

Harassment, unequal treatment, or slurs based on protected characteristics.

Racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, disability hate, faith-based abuse.

7. Organisational / Institutional abuse

Poor or neglectful care in a service setting that undermines dignity and rights.

Rigid routines, unsafe staffing levels, lack of choice or privacy, unsafe care.

8. Domestic abuse

Abuse between partners or family members, including coercive control.

Physical assault, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, economic control, isolation.

9. Modern slavery

Exploiting someone for personal or commercial gain.

Human trafficking, forced labour, servitude, debt bondage, sexual exploitation.

10. Self-neglect

When an individual fails to care for themselves, risking health or safety.

Not eating, poor hygiene, refusing medical treatment, unsafe living conditions.

11. Hate crime

Criminal acts motivated by hostility towards protected characteristics.

Verbal abuse, physical attacks, vandalism targeted at identity (race, sexuality, disability).

12. Cyber abuse / Online abuse

Harm or exploitation using digital technology or the internet.

Online scams, grooming, sextortion, cyberbullying, radicalisation.

13. Forced marriage

Marriage entered into without free and full consent, often under duress.

Threats, coercion, deception, removal of passports, physical pressure to marry.

14. Honour-based violence

Violence committed to defend family or community “honour.”

Physical assaults, threats, forced imprisonment, even “honour killings.”