Welsh Colleges’ Society of Change Ringers
Safeguarding Guidelines

1. Background and Scope
   The Welsh Colleges’ Society organises ringing and social events for Members and for anyone attending a university or college of further education in Wales and their guests.
2. Safeguarding Policy
   Safeguarding relates to the protection of the health, well-being and human rights of individuals, to allow people, especially children, and vulnerable adults, to live free from abuse, harm and neglect. For the avoidance of doubt the terms Child and Vulnerable Adult are defined below:
   Child – Any Person aged under 18
   Vulnerable Adult – A person aged 18 or over whose ability to protect themself from violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation is significantly impaired through physical or mental disability or illness, old age, emotional fragility or distress, or otherwise; and for that purpose, the reference to being impaired is to being temporarily or indefinitely impaired.
   All Members should have safeguarding in mind at all times and treat others with respect.
3. Safeguarding Measures
   – Any Child attending Society events must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
   – Anyone who identifies as a Vulnerable Adult should inform the General Secretary prior to attendance.
   – Society Members must inform the General Secretary if they believe another adult in attendance at an event is a Vulnerable Adult and needs additional safeguarding.
   – Any individual attending an event who is subject to restrictions must provide details to the General Secretary in advance of attendance.
   – A DBS Checked and Safeguarding Trained Leader must be present, where a Child or Vulnerable Adult is expected to attend, in the circumstances below:

Activity	Appropriate DBS	Safeguarding Modules
Ringing where no training takes place and any Child is accompanied by a responsible adult	Not required
Ringing with Child taught under close supervision of their responsible adult	Not required
Training of Child other than under close supervision of their responsible adult	Leader of Session and Trainer	All Ringers – Basic Awareness Leader of Session and Trainer – Basic Awareness and Foundation Levels
Training of Vulnerable Adult	Leader of Session and Trainer	All Ringers – Basic Awareness Leader of Session and Trainer – Basic Awareness and Foundation Levels
N.B. Activities in italics are not normally run by the Society and may not take place without the specific approval of the Master and General Secretary, who will need to be sent the details

4. Training
   Safeguarding Training will be arranged where necessary. Where possible this will be undertaken at Members’ home parishes as part of their likely responsibilities in their own towers.
5. Raising concerns
   If a Child or Vulnerable Adult is in immediate danger, then the police should be notified immediately by dialling 999.
   Any other safeguarding concerns should be raised with the Safeguarding Officer or General Secretary. Concerns raised will be referred as follows:

Concern	To be referred to
Incident on Church Property	Parish Safeguarding Officer
Incident not at a Church	Police – Non Emergency
Concerns about Welfare (unconnected to Society)	Home Local Authority of the Child or Vulnerable Adult

6. Approval
   This policy was first agreed by the society at a business meeting held on 24th October 2020 and was subsequently updated at the Annual General Meeting held on 10th February 2024 and 7th February 2026. Any amendments to this policy require the approval of a General Meeting. The policy will be kept under continuous review to ensure its relevance and compliance with the law.