Human Resources Division

Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection

Executive Summary

Organisations outside the regulated child care sector are encouraged to comply with the requirements of the Protection of Children Act 1999. Whilst the University of Cambridge is not subject to the requirements of the Act, it owes a general duty both at common law and in certain circumstances under statute to take reasonable care of persons coming on to its premises or under the control or supervision of its staff. The adoption and implementation of a Child & Vulnerable Adult Protection policy facilitates the management of the risk associated with this duty.

In appreciation of the load placed on institutions, and so to assist them with implementation, the full document proposes:

• a General Policy
• a Code of Practice
• Implementation guidelines
• a Model Procedure for possible adoption by institutions
• Guidance on Recruitment and Selection Procedures relevant to this policy
• Institutional Reference Guide to assist in identifying who would process a CRB Disclosure once a risk assessment had identified such a need
• Portability Guidelines for CRB Disclosure reports
• Checklist for Objective Assessment for Disclosure of Criminal Conviction by Applicant
• Recruitment of Ex-offenders Policy Statement

Policy

The University aims to adopt the highest possible standards and take all reasonable steps in relation to the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable adults. The University encounters children and vulnerable adults through its teaching and research activities as well as through its outreach programmes.

This policy does not seek to discourage such activities. Instead, this policy seeks to support these activities and to offer assurances to both staff and visitors that through its implementation, the University seeks to protect children and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe from harm when in contact with University staff or students (whether acting in a paid or unpaid capacity).

Children are those under the age of 18 years. The University views a vulnerable adult as a person aged 18 or over who has one of more of the following conditions:

1. a learning or physical disability
2. a physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise, including an addiction to alcohol or drugs
3. a reduction in physical or mental capacity

Implementation

It is impossible to ensure that a child or a vulnerable adult would never come to any harm. However, institutions that implement this policy and follow the guidelines can be confident that all reasonable precautions to prevent harm have been taken while being prepared to deal with an incident should it occur.

Institutions that have developed their own procedures should compare these against the general policy to identify and address any shortfalls. Institutions that have yet to do so should consider the policy and apply the relevant parts of the model procedure to suit their particular situations.

Support to institutions

The University will provide training in child protection issues for all staff responsible for the implementation of the policy. The Compliance Team of the Human Resources Division manage the Criminal Record Bureau checks for staff. The Academic Division manage this service for students. The Academic Division and Human Resources Division will agree any guidance in future.