Our policies and procedures provide the framework within which The Baytree Centre operates. They define what we as an organisation does and how we do it. We have a range of policies and procedures essential for the smooth running of our organisation, and full copies of all the policies are available on request.
We are committed to safeguarding our young people and vulnerable adults; equality and diversity; health and safety; and protecting the personal information of those we work with. Our policy statements for these four important areas are below.
Equal opportunities and diversity Statement
The Baytree Centre embraces equal opportunities and seeks to promote the benefits of diversity in all of our business activities. We are committed to developing an organisational culture that is free of discrimination, prejudice, harassment and bullying and which actively integrates individuals with protected characteristics, as per the Equality Act 2010.
The Baytree Centre abides by the legislative framework in place for equality and diversity, chiefly the Equality Act 2010 as well as related laws and regulations.
The Baytree Centre will treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, HIV status, political beliefs, full-time or part-time status, membership or non-membership of a trade union or spent convictions. This applies to all of our employees, learners, apprentices, partners, suppliers, job applicants and visitors.
Our objectives are:
1. To respect and promote equal opportunities, and to provide equal access to all employees, learners, apprentices, partners, suppliers, job applicants and visitors.
2. To avoid any form of discrimination, harassment and bullying in any form of our employees, learners, apprentices, partners, suppliers, job applicants and visitors.
3. To provide a safe and accessible working and training environment that values and respects the identity and culture of each person.
4. To address and remove barriers faced by employees, learners, apprentices, partners, suppliers, job applicants and visitors that have protected characteristics as per the Equality Act 2010.
5. To appoint, train, develop, reward and promote on the basis of merit and ability alone.
6. To select and monitor partners and suppliers according to their adherence to equal opportunities policies.
Safeguarding – Code of Good Practice
All adults working with young people need to maintain the highest professional standards in their work relationships with young people. The Baytree Centre outlines its code of good practice to be followed by all involved in this valuable work:
1. Adults must always treat each young person with equal respect and consideration, ensuring his or her safety and welfare.
2. All workers and volunteers working in the group who have unsupervised access to children and young people must be subject to criminal record checks through the Disclosure and Barring Services. All to have sound DBS checks.
3. All workers and volunteers have to follow safe recruitment practices:
- A written application form should be completed for all posts to check for any past convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings as well as any pending cases and complaints of abuse against them.
- Interviewing applicants
- A full investigation of an applicant’s employment history
- Obtain two references
- Proof of identification
4. All workers and volunteers must familiarise themselves with all guidelines on child protection and safety issues while involved in running activities carried out on behalf of The Baytree Centre.
5. While understanding their position as leaders of young people, they must take care about what is said and also the way it is said at all times.
6. Each leader will have a clearly specified role within each activity to be understood by both the adults and young people in attendance.
7. A risk assessment is to be carried out in the planning stage of each activity and safety procedures (including first aid) must be followed.
8. The leader of activity will ensure that all attendees know of all safe conduct and emergency procedures.
9. There will normally be at least two leaders involved in each activity. The minimum ratio of 2:10 will be maintained for activities where attendance is below 30 in number.
10. Parents or guardians are to fill in a consent and contact form with dietary and medical details, before any major activity away from the centre.
11. A clear indication of start and end times will be published for each programmed activity.
12. All activities are to be planned so as to reduce to a minimum those situations where it may be possible for children to be abused.
13. All the situations, actions and language that compromise a relationship of trust with young people are to be avoided.
14. Leaders are to think and act carefully about taking risks and about situations that could lead to difficulties, accusations or temptation. They must ensure their actions cannot be misunderstood or cause offence.
15. Staff and volunteers are to be clear about what is inappropriate physical contact with children, avoiding any contact that could be misunderstood.
16. Leaders must avoid physical horseplay and contact games, remembering that someone else might misinterpret their actions, no matter how innocently intentioned.
17. There must always be separate sleeping accommodation for staff and young people, similarly if there are showers.
18. If an adult needs to talk privately with a young person, any one-to-one conversation should take place in a public place or in rooms designed to be seen by others with ease.
Health and safety policy statement
General statement of intent
The Baytree Centre has an excellent record for health and safety and we want this to continue. We are committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all our employees, customers and learners. So far as is reasonably practicable, we will have systems and procedures in place that will ensure that all equipment and premises are safe and free from adverse effects to health. This will mean that employees, the public and others involved in The Baytree Centre’s operations are exposed to the lowest possible risk.
The management team and trustees of The Baytree Centre recognise and accept its responsibilities and statutory duties as stated in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 as amended, to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all.
The Baytree Centre requires all its employees and where relevant, learners, volunteers, visitors and contractors to cooperate in establishing and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and to avoid any actions, which may adversely affect the health, safety and welfare of themselves and their clients.
This policy is fully endorsed by the management team and trustees. The policy will be brought to the attention of all employees and where relevant learners, volunteers, visitors and contractors.
The Baytree Centre will, as far as reasonably practical, ensure through its procurement process that all partners and suppliers provide adequate protection against work related health risks to our employees, learners and others affected when at our premises.
We will continue to review our health and safety policy every 2 years or earlier if circumstances warrant it, to ensure its further development and continuing relevance to the structure and needs of The Baytree Centre.
Privacy Policy
Protecting your personal information and making it easy for you to find out how we use your personal information and when you can expect confidentiality is important to Baytree.
Below you can access our Privacy Statement, which sets out how The Baytree Centre processes the personal information of our service users and those associated with them, employees, workers, volunteers, trustees, donors and other third parties.
The Privacy Statement should be read in conjunction with any contract, user agreement or other information or documentation provided to you in the context of your specific relationship with Baytree.
If you have any questions, please contact us at enquiries@baytreecentre.org.uk, on 020 7733 5283 or at The Baytree Centre, 300-302 Brixton Road, London SW9 6AE. If you would like more information on data protection and your rights generally, please see https://ico.org.uk/.
