Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy

Last updated: 6th October 2026

Wild Pets is a project of Wild Tiverton CIC and operates under the safeguarding policies, procedures and governance of Wild Tiverton CIC.

This policy explains how those safeguarding principles apply specifically to the Wild Pets programme and our work with children, young people and their families.

Our commitment to safeguarding

Wild Tiverton CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Wild Pets involves children aged 8–13 taking part in wildlife conservation activities alongside their parents or guardians. Parents and guardians remain responsible for the supervision, safety and wellbeing of their children at all times. Wild Pets does not provide childcare or take on parental responsibility for participating children.

Wild Pets nevertheless recognises its responsibility to ensure that its own staff, volunteers and activities are conducted in a safe, appropriate and professional manner, and to respond appropriately if a safeguarding concern comes to our attention.

All children have the right to be treated with dignity, respect and kindness and to be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and inappropriate behaviour.

We recognise that safeguarding concerns can arise in any family, community, culture, religion or social group, and that every concern should be taken seriously.

Our responsibilities

Wild Tiverton CIC will take reasonable steps to promote the safety and welfare of children participating in Wild Pets through:

1. Appropriate recruitment and suitability checks for staff and volunteers whose roles involve contact with children.
2. Appropriate safeguarding induction and guidance for staff and volunteers.
3. Clear procedures for responding to safeguarding concerns.
4. Appropriate professional boundaries between Wild Pets staff, volunteers and participating children.
5. Appropriate supervision and arrangements for Wild Pets activities, training and visits.
6. Clear procedures for dealing with concerns or allegations involving staff or volunteers.
7. Identified safeguarding responsibility within Wild Tiverton CIC.
8. Appropriate cooperation with parents, guardians and relevant professional or statutory agencies where safeguarding concerns arise.

Parents and guardians

Because Wild Pets is a family-based programme, parents and guardians remain responsible for their children throughout their participation.

Parents and guardians are expected to:

• supervise their child appropriately;
• remain responsible for their child's behaviour and wellbeing;
• ensure their child follows Wild Pets' safety and conduct requirements;
• tell Wild Pets about any relevant circumstances that may affect their child's safe participation;
• raise any safeguarding concerns with Wild Pets promptly.

Wild Pets will work constructively with parents and guardians wherever possible.

If we have a safeguarding concern

A safeguarding concern may arise because of something a child tells us, something we observe, or information provided by a child, parent, guardian or another person.

Anyone involved with Wild Pets who has a concern about the safety or welfare of a child should report it promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

The DSL will consider the concern and decide what action is appropriate. This may include seeking advice from an appropriate safeguarding professional or agency, including the NSPCC, children's social care or the police.

If there is an immediate risk of serious harm, the appropriate emergency service will be contacted.

Wild Pets will not attempt to investigate safeguarding concerns itself where a concern needs to be referred to an appropriate external agency.

Concerns about Wild Pets staff or volunteers

Any concern about the behaviour of a Wild Pets staff member, volunteer or other person acting on behalf of Wild Tiverton CIC should be reported to the DSL.

Where the concern relates to the DSL, it should be reported to another appropriate senior person within Wild Tiverton CIC.

Wild Tiverton CIC will take appropriate action and seek advice from the relevant safeguarding authorities where necessary.

Confidentiality and information sharing

Wild Pets respects the privacy of children and families and will handle personal information appropriately.

Information will normally only be shared with those who need it for the purpose for which it has been provided.

However, where there is a safeguarding concern, information may need to be shared without parental consent where this is necessary to protect a child or another person.

Where appropriate, parents or guardians will be informed about safeguarding concerns and any action being taken. However, this may not be appropriate where doing so could increase the risk of harm or interfere with safeguarding or other official action.

Safeguarding information will be recorded and stored securely.

Communication with children

Wild Pets will maintain appropriate boundaries when communicating with participating children.

As children take part alongside their parents or guardians, programme communications will always be directed through the parent or legal guardian.

Wild Pets staff and volunteers will never use personal social media accounts or private messaging to communicate with participating children.

Photography and media

Wild Pets may photograph or film children as part of the programme where appropriate consent has been provided.

Photography, filming and use of children's names or other personal information will be handled in accordance with the Wild Pets Terms & Conditions of Application and Privacy Policy, and, for participating families, the Parent/Guardian Agreement signed before their place is confirmed.

Raising a concern

Parents, guardians, children, staff and volunteers are encouraged to raise any safeguarding concern, however minor it may initially appear.

Designated Safeguarding Lead:Name: Alison Smith Role: Safeguarding & Family Liaison Telephone: [Provided to Participating Families]Email: ali@wild-pets.org

Alternative safeguarding contact:Name: Sally Chapman Role: Director, Wild Tiverton CICTelephone: [Provided to Participating Families]Email: [Provided to Participating Families]

In an emergency where someone is at immediate risk of serious harm, call 999.

Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly and following any significant safeguarding concern, incident or change to the Wild Pets programme.

Wild Tiverton CIC is committed to creating a culture in which safeguarding concerns are taken seriously, dealt with appropriately and never ignored.