ISKCON London holds various events, lectures and public festivals during the year. We are
committed to ensuring safe environments for children and young people and believe that it
is unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind. We recognise
our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable
adults by a commitment to best practice which protects them.
This policy applies to our Board of Trustees, employees, volunteers, students or anyone
working on behalf of ISKCON.
We recognise that:
• the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is paramount
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief,
sexual orientation or identity have the right to equal protection from all types of
harm or abuse
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other
agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
The purpose of the policy:
• to provide protection for children, young people and vulnerable adults who
participate in our festivals, including the children of festival members
• to provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in
the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at
risk of harm
We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:
• valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and safe working practice
for staff and volunteers
• recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
• sharing information about child protection and safe working practice with children,
parents, staff and volunteers
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving
parents and children appropriately
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision,
support and training.ISKCON will review this policy each year in August in line with Safe Network guidance or
sooner in light of any changes in legislation or guidance. All changes will be communicated
to all volunteers and employees.
Creating a Safe Environment for Everyone
ISKCON uses the following policies and procedures to provide a safe environment for
everyone:
1. A single, definitive Safeguarding Policy adopted by departments, residents, volunteers
with Child Protection training provided by Rupanuga Bhakti Das
2. The designated Child Protection Officer appointed for ISKCON London is:
Name: Rupanuga Bhakti Das cpo@iskcon.london
3. The following clear reporting procedure is to be followed for anyone with a concern
about a child or vulnerable adult:
• Volunteers are to immediately report incidents or concerns to CPO Officer Rupanuga
Bhakti Das or to their immediate supervisor. The following information should be provided:
The name and contact number of the volunteer who raised the initial concern and a detailed
description of their concern, with details of witnesses.
• The CPO Officer will decide what further action needs to be taken, if any.
• If a child is in imminent danger please call 999 immediately.
4. There are appropriate recruitment and induction procedures for all new volunteers
responsible for providing safe environments for children and vulnerable adults attending
Temple. All voulnteers are required to complete a Clearance Check before being able to do
any service at Temple. Those people dealing directly with children and young people are
are required to have the necessary DBS clearance.
5. There will be the availability of a quiet room where concerns can be expressed in private
to the CPO .
6. For the duration of a visit at Temple all parents/guardians/carers are responsible for the
continuous care and supervision of their own children/wards. If they are unable to attend
personally, they must delegate their responsibilities to an identified adult and ensure that
their children/wards are aware of the identity and name of the person responsible for their
care. This includes supervision throughout all Temple areas, practice and changing areas
that may be provided. The Management cannot take responsibility for any property left
unattended.
7. No unauthorised photography, audio or video recording of children and young people is
allowed on Temple premises. Where parents/guardians/carers do not wish photos to be
taken at all, then the responsible adult attending should ensure that their child is notincluded in official photos. Refer to ISKCONS Safe Use of Children Photography Policy for the
videoing and photographing of children and retention and use of child photography.
8. ISKCON’s Safeguarding Policy and approach to creating a safe environment for everyone
is available and will be available on our Website.
9. By completing and signing the consent form all parents / guardians / carers of under
under 18 (or vulnerable adults of any age) confirm that they give (or have obtained) the
necessary consents for their child/ward to take part in events. Without consent children will
not be allowed to participate in certain activities such as volunteering Krishna Club.
