top of page

Organisers and Safeguarding Leads

Organisers & Safeguarding Leads

Any organised activity in the Bahá’í community with children aged under 18 years, must fit into one or more of the categories below and organisers must follow the listed requirements on the next page. 

​

Examples are provided, but these don’t include everything. 

​

If you are unsure, please consult with your Safeguarding Lead or the Office for Safeguarding Children.

An activity may overlap into more than one category.  Here are some examples:

 

Summer School

Category A (parents responsible outside of sessions and overnight)

Category B (summer school providing activities for children)

 

Teaching Project

Category B (youth involved in teaching activities in a local park)

Category C (youth staying overnight in host family homes)

                             

Junior Youth Camp

Category B (junior youth on a trip, walking to a local swimming pool)

Category C (camp held at the Bahá’í Training Centre)

Requirements for Safeguarding Children

The checklist below provides organisers and Safeguarding Leads with the requirements needed for the three different types of activity.  Each of these requirements are explained in the following pages along with appendices with various forms to be used.

*The term criminal records check covers all four nations: Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) for England and Wales, Disclosure Scotland for Scotland, and AccessNI for Northern Ireland.

Contact with Children Without a Criminal Records Check

 

All people aged 16 years and above working with children in the Bahá’í community must have an appropriate criminal records check«.  

 

A person wishing to observe a children’s activity, or currently waiting for their check to be completed can assist with community activities with children (aged 0-18 years) as a ‘helper’ provided:

 

  • The person has submitted their criminal records application, and this has been confirmed in writing by the Office for Safeguarding Children.

  • The local Safeguarding Lead has confirmation that the application has started and agrees to this temporary arrangement.

 

Conditions:

  1. There are at least two other ‘checked’ adults supervising the helper (within hearing and sight range).

  2. The helper is not allowed to be alone with any children at any time.

  3. Their role as a ‘helper’ is explained to children / adults as appropriate.

  4. A maximum of two helpers per activity.

  5. The helper can only support core activities in a hired venue (not in homes).

  6. The helper cannot stay overnight while supporting children’s activities and events.

  7. They cannot make contact with children on any social media type platforms outside of sessions (e.g. text messages and access to personal information of children) or after the event itself.

  8. They can attend a maximum of 8 sessions of 1-2 hours each: for example, weekly sessions spread over a maximum of 8 weeks, or daily sessions spread over 2 weeks.

​

Guidance to Organisers:

  • Organisers are reminded that safeguarding children takes priority over community activities, and this arrangement provides some flexibility until a person’s criminal records check is complete.

  • Organisers can contact the Office for Safeguarding Children to request one-off exceptions to this agreement.

​

*The term criminal records check covers all four nations: Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) for England and Wales, Disclosure Scotland for Scotland, and AccessNI for Northern Ireland.

Overnights Stay Permit

This new requirement is not yet in place – further guidance will be shared with the community soon.

bottom of page