Dun Fell Christian Trust (DFCT) is not an activity provider for children or vulnerable adults; we merely provide the facility at Knock Christian Centre which groups can hire. The trustees and wardens are not expected to supervise children or vulnerable adults, as this is the responsibility of the group leaders who hire our facilities. Trustees and wardens are not usually expected to be on the premises when a group is present. However, we recognise our part in encouraging proper safe supervision of groups, and also that there may be times when our wardens in particular, and in exceptional cases, our trustees, need to be on the premises and therefore in contact with children / vulnerable adults at times when the group needs support or assistance with the building. Wardens will normally be present also when a group arrives and leaves the centre, interacting with the adult group leaders.

 

The trust therefore undertakes to maintain a record of safeguarding training provided for our wardens. We also undertake to have all wardens and trustees checked under the DBS system, and to record their compliance with these checks. None of these steps is intended to increase our interaction with groups, or to accept responsibility for supervising children, which remains the responsibility of group leaders. However, we do want to be operating at the highest safeguarding standards, for the protection of all concerned.

 

The following statement was agreed by the Trustees of DFCT in 2025 and will be reviewed annually.

 

We will include in our terms and conditions for booking accommodation at our Centre the following requirement:

 

“ The Hirer agrees to accept full responsibility to provide adequate leadership and proper supervision of all activities undertaken by the party at or from the Centre and in particular agrees to provide sufficient fully qualified instructors to supervise all outdoor pursuits activities and the use of the sports equipment. The Hirer agrees that, if any member of the Hirer’s party is either (i) under 18 and not accompanied by a parent or guardian or (ii) is a vulnerable adult, the Hirer will at all times have in place and ensure that all members of the Hirer’s party comply with an appropriate child or vulnerable adult (as the case may be) safeguarding and protection policy.”

 

Hiring groups must be committed to:

• Following the requirements for UK legislation in relation to safeguarding children and adults and good practice recommendations.

• Implementing the requirements of legislation in regard to people with disabilities.

• Accepting that Children’s Social Services (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child and Adult Social Care (or equivalent) has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.

• Acting immediately where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed by contacting the police as a matter of urgency.

• Insisting on a culture in their organisation where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

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If you have any concerns about safeguarding at the Centre please write to the following who has been approved as our safeguarding coordinator:

 

Philip Wildsmith, Knock Christian Centre, Knock nr Appleby, Cumbria CA16 6DL. OR chairman@knockchristiancentre.com