SAFEGUARDING

The RUCKSACK CLUB Ltd.

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY FOR MEMBERS (FULL, ASSOCIATE & PROSPECTIVE)

The Rucksack Club recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Its members and guests pursuing these activities are aware of and accept these risks and responsibility for their own actions and involvement.

Election to membership of the Rucksack Club is based on the premise that the individual concerned has reached a level of proficiency in mountaineering skills that enables him or her to assess the potential risks of the activity in which they are engaged, and to be self-sufficient in the mountain environment.

Participants in Club activities and the users of Club huts are required to act in a responsible manner conscious both of their own safety and of the impact of their conduct on the safety of others, and be aware of their individual duty of care towards all in their company.

The Rucksack Club nevertheless acknowledges it has a duty as an organisation to ensure that as far as reasonably possible all its activities are conducted safely and that, in particular, its three climbing huts are maintained and managed to a high standard complying fully with all regulatory requirements.

The Committee intends to exercise its duty of care towards members and guests of the Club engaged in Club activities or using its huts, and others who may from time to time enter or use those premises whether carrying out work for the Club or for pleasure in the following manner:

  • It will alert those becoming members of the Club of its expectations of the membership and their guests
  • It will establish a routine, normally annual, review of potential hazards in its properties, and take any required remedial action to address reported problems.
  • It will ensure that all users of its properties are informed of their proper use and of the course of action should they face an emergency.
  • It will require that all accidents in the course of its activities and in its properties are properly logged, reported and investigated, any lessons learned then being applied.
  • It will issue guidelines on any aspect of its health and safety responsibilities where this is felt to be necessary or helpful.
  • It will invite a Club member to take the lead in monitoring the application of these measures and draw the attention of the Committee to any perceived defects in their application.
  • It will review annually the effectiveness of the above measures in addressing its duty of care.

Adopted by The Rucksack Club Committee 08 January 2024

THE RUCKSACK CLUB LTD.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY AND GUIDELINES

The Rucksack Club has a positive attitude both towards introducing children to outdoor activities and to supporting parent Members in maximising their child’s climbing and mountaineering opportunities.  All Members are, therefore, expected to show normal levels of care for the safety and well-being of children attending Club Meets and staying in Club huts.

This Policy and Guidelines apply to all persons under the age of 18.

The term “parent” includes parent or legal guardian. Words used in the singular include the plural and vice versa.

Children Attending Club Meets

Where a Member is intending to bring their child on a Club Meet they are advised, particularly if they are not familiar with the location, to contact the Meet Co-ordinator to discuss the safety of the venue.  The Member bears full responsibility for deciding to take part in the Meet, and for their child throughout the Meet.

In addition to the above where a Member is intending to bring a child who is not theirs they should ensure that the parent of that child is aware of this Policy and Guidelines and  gives their consent to the Member acting in Loco Parentis.

General Safety Considerations

Consideration should be given, by the parent or adult acting in loco parentis:

  1. to the location of the Meet, given the age and ability of the child;
  2. to the activity arranged for the Meet, and the safety of the child whilst the adult is participating; and
  3. to the age and level of ability of the child generally.

Children Staying in Club Huts

Where a Member is intending to take a child to stay in a Club hut, then in addition to the above they are advised to contact the Meet leader or Hut Warden if not an official Meet.  The Club considers that it is not reasonable to expect Members and their guests to modify normal standards of hut behaviour.  Parents or adults acting in loco parentis are, at all times, responsible for the safety, care and control of any child. The Meet Leader or Hut Warden has the right to prevent a child from attending the Meet or Hut if they think it is inappropriate.

Additional Safety Considerations

  1. The standard of hygiene and cleanliness may be less than at home.
  2. There may not be guards on electrical sockets.
  3. There may be open fires and/or hot surfaces.
  4. Members may leave hot and cold drinks on the floor and low surfaces.
  5. Members manoeuvring in congested car parks assume that adults will keep out of their way and they will not expect the presence of children.
  6. Sleeping accommodation is provided by individual bunks which may be 2 or 3 tier. Dormitories vary in size and sleep between 3 and 15 people.

Bookings by External Groups

Where an external group books an entire hut it must be made aware that, if there are children in the group, it will be responsible for all safeguarding issues for the duration of their stay in the hut..

Where an external group books part of a hut it must be made aware that there may be club members staying in the hut at the same time. The group must be informed of the layout of the hut, highlighting shared spaces and made aware that, if there are children in their group, they are responsible for all safeguarding issues for the duration of their stay in the hut.

Allegations of Abuse or Child Protection Issues

If, at any time during a child’s attendance at an official Meet, or stay in a Club hut, there is an allegation or suspicion of abuse, it must be reported to the parent or adult acting in loco parentis, and (where applicable) to the Meet Co-ordinator, and the Club’s Safeguarding Officer.

If the allegation could constitute a criminal offence then this should be referred to the police by the parent or adult acting in loco-parentis, or, failing them, by the adult whose concern has been aroused. Where there is doubt about how to proceed then advice can be sought from the Club’s Safeguarding Officer.

Following any allegation of abuse the Club’s Safeguarding Officer will advise the Committee on any possible changes to procedure which may avoid a similar occurrence.

Any other child safeguarding issues should be directed to the Club’s Safeguarding Officer, whose details appear in the Club’s Handbook and on Hut noticeboards.

There is a requirement placed on the Club by its insurers that all allegations of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that could lead to a claim for damages are reported to them.  The Club’s Secretary must be informed of all such allegations so that this may be effected.

All huts will display a poster giving the details of how to ask for advice or information from or report an issue to the Safeguarding Officer.

Where a discrepancy exists between this policy and the BMC Safeguarding policy the BMC policy will prevail.

Adopted by The Rucksack Club Committee 08 January 2024