Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

The Ramblers works to make walking accessible to all, and to share its benefits with as wide a range of people as possible. At the same time we are committed to safeguarding the well-being of everyone who participates in Ramblers activities and will take every practical step to minimise the risk of harm, paying particular attention to the needs of those who are most vulnerable, including children and vulnerable adults. We are also committed to supporting fully our volunteers and staff in their work.

To assist in this, we have a comprehensive policy on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, complimented by guidance notes aimed at a variety of different audiences involved in Ramblers activities, including ordinary participants, volunteers and staff. You only need to read the guidelines appropriate to you.

All the documents below are in PDF format.

• Guidance for Walk Leaders in Areas and Groups
  Read this if you lead walks and/or other activities for your Area or Group.
• Guidance for Ramblers Area and Groups
  Read this if you organise activities for your Area or Group, especially if children or vulnerable adults are likely to participate.
• Guidance for volunteers managed by staff
  Read this if your volunteering for staff-managed projects regularly brings you into contact with the public and participants in projects which may include children or vulnerable adults.
• Guidance for the public and Ramblers members
  Read this if you are a child, young person or vulnerable adult planning to attend a Ramblers walk or other activity, or if you are a parent, guardian or carer.
• Full policy and guidance
  Read this if you are a partner or stakeholder or other person with a general interest in Ramblers’ general policy on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The document also includes guidance for Ramblers staff.
• Publicity, photography, film and video consent form
  You can use this form if photographing or filming an event.

For further information or if you have any comments on the above documents please contact the Ramblers Safeguarding Officer by emailing childandvulnerableadults@ramblers.org.uk.
To read information about how to apply for a 15 -17 Year old consent card click here.

Updates and revisions

This version of our policy and guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults was introduced in October 2010 following consultation with Ramblers volunteers and staff. It has been heavily revised both from the previous policy and guidance and from the consultation draft so please read the appropriate sections even if you are familiar with previous documents.

A review of the policy and guidance in October 2011 introduced some very minor changes. If you have stored a copy of an earlier version of the document, please download the latest version above.

The policy and guidance are reviewed annually. The next review date is September 2012. However it is also subject to review at any time, as a result of changes in legislation or external circumstances or feedback on best practice.

Note that following the General Election in May 2010 the government placed the previous government's plans for an Independent Safeguarding Authority and new vetting and barring scheme under review. At the time the policy and guidance were last revised the results of this review had still not been announced. We continue to monitor the situation and any future changes will be incorporated into updates of the policy and guidelines as appropriate.