Lancaster Canal Boaters Association

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Full Safe Guarding Policy – LCBA

Safeguarding Policy**

Policy Owner: LCBA Committee
Effective Date: 01 / 01 / 2026
Next Review: 01 / 01 / 2027

1. Introduction

The Lancaster Canal Boaters Association (LCBA) is committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and protection of all members, volunteers, committee representatives, and individuals we engage with, including vulnerable adults and boaters living aboard.

This policy outlines The LCBA’s approach to safeguarding, sets out responsibilities, and provides guidance on how to recognise, respond to, and report safeguarding concerns.

The LCBA operates a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, harm, or exploitation in any form.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • LCBA committee members
  • LCBA volunteers
  • LCBA members engaged in official LCBA activities
  • Guests or partners working with LCBA in outreach activities
  • Any situation where LCBA representatives visit boaters, interact with the public, or attend events along the Lancaster Canal

It covers safeguarding in relation to:

  • Adults at risk
  • Individuals experiencing crisis or vulnerability
  • Lone working risks (linked to The LCBA’s Lone Worker Policy)
  • Situations of abuse, neglect, coercion, or exploitation

LCBA does not routinely work with children, but children may be present on boats or at events. When encountered, safeguarding principles still apply.

3. Definitions

3.1 Safeguarding

Protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

3.2 Adult at Risk

A person aged 18 or over who:

  • has care or support needs,
  • is unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation.

3.3 Types of Abuse

Safeguarding concerns may include:

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional/psychological abuse
  • Financial or material abuse
  • Neglect or acts of omission
  • Self-neglect
  • Domestic abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Discriminatory abuse
  • Organisational/positional abuse
  • Coercion or harassment

Signs may be subtle, especially in isolated live-aboard communities.

4. LCBA Safeguarding Commitments

LCBA commits to:

  • Creating a safe environment for all boaters and volunteers
  • Treating all individuals with dignity and respect
  • Taking all allegations or concerns seriously
  • Acting promptly and appropriately
  • Maintaining confidentiality where possible
  • Liaising with statutory authorities when required
  • Supporting volunteers with guidance, training, and reporting mechanisms

5. Roles & Responsibilities

5.1 LCBA Committee

The committee is responsible for:

  • Upholding this policy
  • Ensuring volunteers understand safeguarding reporting routes
  • Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
  • Managing safeguarding concerns raised within LCBA activities
  • Reviewing policy annually

5.2 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL will:

  • Receive and record safeguarding concerns
  • Offer advice to volunteers
  • Escalate concerns to relevant authorities when necessary
  • Maintain confidential safeguarding records
  • Provide updates to the LCBA committee (excluding identifiable details)

5.3 Volunteers and Representatives

All volunteers must:

  • Follow safeguarding procedures
  • Report concerns promptly
  • Follow lone working and personal safety rules
  • Respect boundaries when visiting boaters
  • Never engage in behaviour that could be misinterpreted as harassment, coercion, or abuse

6. Working Safely With Boaters in Their Homes/Boats

Because visits may involve entering a boater’s home environment, volunteers must:

  • Ensure visits follow the Lone Worker Policy
  • Maintain professional boundaries
  • Not enter enclosed interior spaces if they feel unsafe
  • Never provide physical care or lifting
  • Avoid accepting gifts, money, or personal favours
  • Leave immediately if a situation feels uncomfortable or unsafe
  • Report any environmental concerns (self-neglect, hazards, conflict)

7. Identifying Safeguarding Concerns

Possible signs that a boater or member may be at risk include:

  • Poor boat conditions or unsafe living environment
  • Signs of injury, fear or distress
  • Lack of basic provisions (food, heat, medication)
  • Financial hardship or suspected exploitation
  • Evidence of controlling behaviour by others
  • Isolation or inability to cope
  • Mental health concerns
  • Concerns about capacity or understanding
  • Self-neglect (boat disrepair, hygiene concerns, not moving when required)

Volunteers are not expected to diagnose or intervene, only to notice and report.

8. How to Respond to a Concern

8.1 If someone discloses harm

  • Listen without judgment
  • Do not promise confidentiality
  • Note key facts only
  • Stay calm and supportive
  • Explain you must report this to keep them safe

8.2 Immediate Danger

If someone is in immediate danger, call:

999 – Emergency Services

Examples:

  • Threats of violence
  • Serious injury or imminent harm
  • Criminal behaviour
  • Medical emergency

8.3 Non-emergency concerns

Report to the LCBA Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as soon as possible (within 24 hours).

If the DSL is unavailable, report to any LCBA committee member.

9. Reporting Procedure

Step 1: Record the concern

Include:

  • Date, time, location
  • What you saw / heard
  • What the person said (exact words if possible)
  • Your own actions
  • Who else was present

Step 2: Share with the DSL

In person, by phone, or via the secure form here.

Step 3: DSL assesses next steps

These may include:

  • Monitoring the situation
  • Contacting Canal & River Trust (CRT) welfare/safeguarding team
  • Contacting local Adult Social Care
  • Contacting mental health crisis services
  • Contacting emergency services if risk escalates

Step 4: DSL logs the concern

Records are:

  • Kept securely
  • Only accessed by authorised safeguarding personnel
  • Retained in line with data protection guidelines

10. Confidentiality and Data Protection

LCBA will:

  • Only share information on a need-to-know basis
  • Store safeguarding records securely
  • Comply with UK GDPR standards
  • Respect the privacy and dignity of all individuals involved

Confidentiality must not prevent reporting safety concerns.

11. Preventing Abuse and Supporting Volunteers

LCBA will:

  • Provide safeguarding awareness training
  • Offer guidance on professional boundaries
  • Support volunteers who report concerns
  • Protect individuals from retaliation or criticism
  • Review incidents to improve procedures

12. Safer Recruitment

Where LCBA recruits volunteers for roles involving direct outreach:

  • Clear role descriptions will be provided
  • References may be requested
  • Enhanced checks may be required where appropriate (rarely necessary)
  • Training will be offered before outreach begins

13. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed:

  • Annually
  • Following any safeguarding incident
  • When legislation or best-practice guidance changes
  • When LCBA activities expand or change

Revisions will be approved by the LCBA Committee.

14. Contact Information

Report a safeguarding concern using the dedicated form by clicking here

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Michelle Riley (Chair)
Email: chair@lancastercanalboatersassociation.com

Designated Safeguarding Lead: John Hewson (Secretary)
Email: secretary@lancastercanalboatersassociation.com


Adult Social Care (Lancashire): https://www.lancashire.gov.uk
CRT Welfare/Safeguarding Contact: welfare.mailbox@canalrivertrust.org.uk 
Emergency Services: 999
Non-Emergency Police: 101

John Hewson