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Summer Madness (NI) Limited
Safeguarding Policy 2026
CONTENTS
1) Introduction
2) Prevention
3) Recognising, Responding to & Recording abuse
4) Appendices
1) Introduction to Summer Madness (NI) Limited (hereafter Summer Madness)
Address: c/o Cyril Johnston Centre. Ballynahinch Rd. Carryduff. Belfast. BT8 8DJ.
Email. office@summermadness.co.uk. Telephone. 02890673379.
Festival Director: John Kee
Event manager: Sam Mills
Head of Festival Administration: Anne Shields
Safeguarding Designated Person: Caroline Thompson
2026 Safeguarding team: Jenn Christie, Bryan McGarvey, Helen Livingstone & Myles Christy
Telephone 02890673379
What is Summer Madness?
Summer Madness is a charitable limited company that seeks to advance the Christian religion and to promote the holistic benefit of young people to develop their spiritual, social, physical, mental, environmental and educational capacities that they may grow as individuals and members of society. The primary focus for Summer Madness is an annual festival held each year in June/July that brings together young people and groups from across the island of Ireland and from every background, for a chance to celebrate, connect and explore the meaning of faith in their culture and community. Summer Madness also promotes and organises other events, gatherings and activities throughout the year.
Organisational Structure
Summer Madness is overseen by the Board of Directors, who are ultimately responsible for all legal and financial liabilities. Summer Madness have a small paid staff team plus a large team of volunteer leaders from a diversity of backgrounds. Youth groups from across Ireland will attend the festival under the care of their own leaders (from their local church or faith-based organisation). There are also a number of partner agencies.
Summer Madness (NI) Limited Company Number: NI055719
Summer Madness Charity Registration Number: 104975
Safeguarding statement & Principles
Summer Madness is committed to Safeguarding and protecting all connected to our festival and in preventing abuse. Summer Madness, as an organisation, recognises the need to provide a safe environment for all those attending our festival. We acknowledge that all children, young people and adults can be the victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation, and bullying.
Principles
The ministry of Summer Madness is only possible because of the voluntary commitment of adults who are prepared to take responsibility for children and young people in their care. Our Safeguarding Policy is designed to protect and to enhance that ministry, by enabling all parties within Summer Madness to fulfil their proper responsibilities within this ministry:
Terminology
This safeguarding policy covers children and adults. A child is defined as someone under the age of 18, this includes children and young people. As churches operate their children’s and youth groups with different age ranges, this policy is not prescriptive and uses the general term of ‘child’ to describe both children and young people.
An adult is generally defined as someone over the age of 18. As adult safeguarding systems have developed there has been a move away from using the term ‘vulnerable adults’, whilst recognising that certain pieces of legislation and different agencies use this term. The term ‘adult in need of protection’ is generally now replacing the previously used term ‘vulnerable adult’ (focusing on the situation rather than the characteristics of the adult themselves). An adult in need of protection is defined as a person aged 18 or over, whose exposure to harm through abuse, exploitation or neglect may be increased by their:
‘Adults’ is used in this policy to mean adults in need of protection.
Legal context
This policy has been developed with the following guidance documents considered. These all seek to protect and safeguard children.
Summer Madness have therefore adopted the procedures set out in this safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance. We are also committed to building constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.
Our commitment
Summer Madness is committed to preventing abuse and safeguarding all children, young people and adults by:
The following safeguarding policy and statement aims to both meet our requirements of providing a safe environment at our festival but also to provide a culture of openness with the purpose of:
Safeguarding Team contact details
The Safeguarding team is available 24 hours per day throughout Summer Madness to ensure that any concern raised is appropriately addressed.
Outside of the festival hours (for support both prior to or after) they can also be contacted via the Summer Madness Office (Tel: 028 90673379).
2) Prevention
Understanding abuse
All those working alongside children, young people and adults should be aware of the diverse range of abuse that can occur including sexual, emotional, physical, neglect, spiritual, child sex exploitation (CSE) and more.
Statutory Definitions
Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. They may be abused by an adult or adults, another child, or children.
The definitions of abuse below operate in Northern Ireland based on the government guidance, ‘Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland (October 2024)
Physical Abuse is deliberately physically hurting a child. It might take a variety of different forms, including hitting, biting, pinching, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating a child.
Sexual Abuse occurs when others use and exploit children sexually for their own gratification or gain or the gratification of others. Sexual abuse may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape, or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside clothing. It may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in the production of sexual images, forcing children to look at sexual images or watch sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via e-technology). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Emotional Abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child. It is also sometimes called psychological abuse and it can have severe and persistent adverse effects on a child’s emotional development. Emotional abuse may involve deliberately telling a child that they are worthless, or unloved and inadequate. It may include not giving a child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them, or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. Emotional abuse may involve bullying – including online bullying through social networks, online games or mobile phones – by a child’s peers.
Neglect is the failure to provide for a child’s basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, supervision or shelter that is likely to result in the serious impairment of a child’s health or development. Children who are neglected often also suffer from other types of abuse.
Exploitation is the intentional ill-treatment, manipulation or abuse of power and control over a child or young person; to take selfish or unfair advantage of a child or young person or situation, for personal gain. It may manifest itself in many forms such as child labour, slavery, servitude, engagement in criminal activity, begging, benefit or other financial fraud or child trafficking. It extends to the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of children for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation can be sexual in nature.
Ill-treatment of another or abusive behaviour directed at another means that a child could be harmed by virtue of witnessing the ill-treatment or domestic abuse of another person. However, it is not necessary for the child to have witnessed such treatment or behaviour or, indeed, to have been present when it happened. Abusive Behaviour is behaviour that falls within section 2 of the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (NI) 2021.
Summer Madness is committed to Safeguarding and protecting all connected to our festival and in preventing abuse in the following ways.
Safer Recruitment
It is the practice of Summer Madness to require an Access NI Enhanced disclosure check for all staff and volunteers because of their role in supervising children on a 5 day residential involving 4 overnight stays on site. All our teams are working in an unsupervised environment for a period of 5 consecutive days including overnight camping and are made up of individuals from the age of 16 years upwards. As such we regard all of our staff and volunteers as participating in 'regulated activity'. All staff and volunteers participating in regulated activity will be required to have this Access NI Enhanced disclosure check completed at least every three years. A record of when these checks have been completed is kept by the head of festival administration who, along with the Designated Person, will ‘sign off’ each individual once compliance has been ascertained. No staff or volunteer will be accepted for serving at Summer Madness unless their Access NI status has been satisfactorily completed - within three years prior to the festival starting. (See Appendix 1 – Summer Madness policy on Access NI Enhanced Disclosure and recruitment process).
Safeguarding Training
Safeguarding awareness and training is undertaken by all staff and volunteers, participating in regulated activity before the festival commences. The training focuses on preparing the Summer Madness team to feel confident around recognising, responding to and reporting abuse. It also highlights the duties and responsibilities of their role. Completion of this training, and passing an assessment afterwards, is a prerequisite for taking part in the festival and a record of completion is kept. As above, each individual will be ‘signed off’ by the head of festival administration and the Designated Person in advance of the festival commencing.
Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers
All persons wishing to volunteer at Summer Madness, whether in a temporary or permanent capacity must have also read the Code of Conduct and give a written commitment to abide by it through the duration of the festival. (See Appendix 2 Summer Madness Staff and Volunteer Code of Conduct).
General Safeguarding Principles
Staff, volunteers and leaders at Summer Madness should:
Staff, volunteers and leaders should not:
Health and Safety Safeguarding Principles
3) Recognising, responding and recording abuse
Recognising
All those working alongside children, young people and adults should be aware of the range of abuse that can occur – sexual, emotional, physical, neglect, spiritual, child sex exploitation (CSE) and more. As above, all staff and volunteers must complete mandatory Safeguarding training before the festival begins.
Responding
Over the course of the festival it is recognised that children, young people or adults attending may make disclosures to their youth leaders or church group. Leaders in these situations should follow their own policies with regard to responding to and recording any disclosures although the Summer Madness Safeguarding team are happy to provide support if necessary.
Any member of the Summer Madness team (staff or volunteer) may develop concerns around risk relating to a child, young person or adult attending the festival or disclosures may be made directly to them. We recognise that there are some situations when this may be more likely, for example, during prayer ministry. Safeguarding concerns may also arise in relation to persons attending from different youth groups or churches. In both these instances the Safeguarding team will be informed and are available to provide guidance and a response (in keeping with this Summer Madness Safeguarding Policy).
The Safeguarding team will be a visible presence throughout the duration of the festival and all staff and volunteers will be familiar with who they are and how to contact them through their Safeguarding training. The Safeguarding team are able to be contacted confidentially at any time throughout the festival via Comms (the communication hub on site).
What to do and what not to do if a child, young person or adult discloses to you
Do
Do not
It is recognised that some concerns raised will be most appropriately managed within the Safeguarding frameworks already in place with youth groups attending Summer Madness. Summer Madness however are committed to ensuring that pastoral care is available for any children young people or adults who may be in need of additional support, for their leaders, or the staff and volunteer team. The safeguarding team can provide additional support on site or, when appropriate, to direct them to an appropriate person or agency.
Recording
All information around risk received in relation to a child, young person or adult attending Summer Madness will be clearly documented by a member of the Safeguarding team as soon as possible. (Appendix 4 shows how this information will be recorded).
Referring
Only the Safeguarding team will, when appropriate, make a referral onwards to the relevant statutory agencies. It is recognised that there is a legal obligation to pass on any concerns where abuse is suspected and that it is the decision of the statutory agencies to investigate. Referrals onwards may include Social Services located within the local Health and Social Care Trust (through regional Gateway teams) or if indicated, the police (PSNI). This referral information will be kept confidential to the Safeguarding team within the Summer Madness team and be clearly documented.
Safeguarding Flowchart
Safeguarding allegation or concern raised to Summer Madness staff or volunteer
Information will be passed directly on to a member of the Safeguarding Team
The Safeguarding team will document what the concern is and whether further action is required to protect the person or persons
The Safeguarding team will respond appropriately to the information shared, speaking to the group leader, and if indicated the Designated Person will refer into Statutory Services (e.g. Social Services or PSNI.
Confidentiality, Storage and Access
Any sensitive disclosure information is kept in a lockable cupboard on the premises. Access is strictly controlled and limited to those who are entitled to see it as part of their duties.
In accordance with section 124 of the Police Act 1997, Disclosure information is only passed to those who are authorised to receive it in the course of their duties. We maintain a record of all those to whom Disclosures or Disclosure information has revealed. These can be access by John Kee (Director), Anne Shields (Head of Festival Administration) & Caroline Thompson (Designated Person). See Appendix 5 GDPR and Summer Madness.
Date of policy: 19/5/2026
Signatures:
________________________________
John Kee (Festival Director)
________________________________
Barry Forde (Chairman)
________________________________
Caroline Thompson (Designated Person)
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Summer Madness policy statement on Access NI Enhanced Disclosure and Recruitment process
Summer Madness Policy Statement on Access NI Disclosures
Requirement for Enhanced Disclosure
It is the practice of Summer Madness to require an Enhanced disclosure for all staff because of their role in supervising children on a 5 day residential involving 4 overnight stays on site.
All of these teams are working in an unsupervised environment for a period of 5 consecutive days including overnight camping and are themselves made up of individuals from the age of 16 years upwards. As such we regard all of our staff as participating in 'regulated activity'.
General Principles
As an organisation using Access Northern Ireland to help assess the suitability of applicants for positions of trust, Summer Madness complies fully with Access NI’s Code of Practice regarding the correct handling, use, storage retention and disposal of Disclosure Applications and Disclosure information. It also complies fully with its obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998, the GDPR regulations of 2018 and other relevant legislation pertaining with the safe handling, storage, retention and disposal of disclosure information.
Summer Madness Recruitment process
Appendix 2 – Staff and Volunteer Code of Conduct
Summer Madness – Staff Code of Conduct
As an organisation, Summer Madness is committed to the welfare and protection of Children and Young People and as such has put in place systems to ensure that Children, Young People and all working with them at Summer Madness are protected from any form of abuse or allegation.
SUMMER MADNESS - STAFF CODE OF CONDUCT UNDERTAKING
As an organisation, Summer Madness is committed to the welfare and protection of Children and Young People and as such has put in place systems to ensure that Children, Young People and all working with them at Summer Madness are protected from any from of abuse or unwarranted accusation.
You are asked to confirm your assent to the following:-
If you have any concerns regarding the welfare and protection of Children and Young People, or any concerns are expressed to you by any person, these should be passed immediately to the SM Safeguarding Trust Panel, who can be contacted via the Duty Officer, located in Comms. If at all possible, please go to Comms, and ask to speak to a Duty Officer in private. This person will upon your request, contact the Panel. The Panel are available 24 hours per day throughout Summer Madness to be ensure that any concern is appropriately addressed. The Panel can also be contacted after Summer Madness via the Summer Madness Office (Tel: - 028-90673379)
We will reduce likely situations for abuse of children and help protect staff and volunteers by ensuring that all staff, and others on site NEVER:-
General code of conduct … team rules:
During Festival we ask that no romantic attachments are pursued amongst the team.
No mixed sleeping arrangements are allowed on site other than married couples
Health and Safety
No one should behave in such a manner or undertake any activity or operation that would put others or themselves in danger of injury or harm.
All team members must follow out the Health & Safety instructions given by their team members and comply with instructions in the SM Health and Safety Policy Guide
If anyone has particular concerns about Health & Safety on site they should immediately inform their team leader or go directly to the H&S Advisor
GDPR
This policy helps us to demonstrate how we seek to comply with data protection legislation and be accountable for our actions. It equally applies to all Summer Madness volunteers who have access to or need to utilise personal data.
All members of staff must comply with these procedures for processing or transmitting personal data. In addition, staff should be aware of and adhere to policies around the Acceptable Usage of ICT Systems, and any other guidance issued in relation to cyber security and the use of personal data.
Always treat people’s personal information with integrity and confidentiality. Don’t hand out personal details just because someone asks you to.
As far as possible all personal data will be stored electronically and any original paper copy securely destroyed.
Where personal data exists as hard copy, it should be stored in a locked box, drawer or cabinet, and not left where anyone could access it.
The transfer of hard copies should be passed directly to the recipient.
Where it is necessary to store personal data or sensitive information on a removable device for transfer of information an encrypted USB device should be used, or as a minimum the data should be password protected.
The loss or theft of any device should be reported as soon as possible to the DPO and senior management.
Take care when connecting to public wi-fi connections, as these can expose your connection to interception. If you’re not sure if a connection is secure, do not connect to it.
Use marketing lists in CRM where appropriate. These can be used for follow up emails from a training session, or to send reminders prior to an event.
If you are thinking of sending marketing to individuals, consult with the DPO first, as there are certain laws that apply to electronic direct marketing. This could include anything that promotes the aims or purpose of Summer Madness, including promoting an event or seeking engagement.
Take care to email the intended recipient (especially where email address autocomplete is turned on). Use the ‘bcc’ field for emailing several people where using ‘to’ or ’cc’ is not needed.
These procedures and policies also apply to the use of remote access to Summer Madness cloud systems. If you are using your own device to access personal data ensure that your device has a firewall and is password protected.
If you do have a question or are unsure about any of these procedures, contact the Data Protection Officer.
General Staff protocols
We are committed to encouraging healthy relationships, mutual respect, and a thriving environment for all.
It is important that all team members support one another by being punctual, courteous and diligent in carrying out their duties. In addition to your allocated routines there may be other tasks required from time to time and we would ask you to support your team and Team Leader by remaining good humoured throughout!
All complaints of bullying or harassment will be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and handled with fairness and confidentiality. Please see our anti-bullying policy here for further notes.
The site is a non-smoking site and alcohol free.
If you have any concerns regarding the welfare of a young person these should be passed immediately to the Safeguarding Trust Panel, who can be contacted 24 hours per day via the Duty Officer, located in Coms.
Appendix 3 Summer Madness Speaker Agreement
Background Checks
It is the practice of Summer Madness to require an Enhanced disclosure for all staff because of their role in supervising children on a 5 day residential involving 4 overnight stays on site. Although we do not require an Enhanced disclosure for speakers we may require a minimum of one (sometimes two) references or an endorsement from someone within the leadership team of their church.
Safeguarding Agreements
If you are subject to a safeguarding agreement with your church or organisation, you should contact Summer Madness to make them aware of this in advance of the festival. Due to the nature and context of the event, Summer Madness reserves the right to decline entry to the event to anyone who is deemed to pose a potential safeguarding risk. Those who have been or remain on the Sex Offenders Register will not be allowed to serve on the Summer Madness team.
Conduct & Reputation
Summer Madness’s public profile and reputation are extremely important. We expect our volunteers and speakers to conduct themselves in a way which is consistent with the Biblical teaching of the New Testament and our Christian ethos. By agreeing to this document, team members are declaring their acceptance to volunteer within Summer Madness’s Code of Conduct.
Guests come from a wide range of denominational backgrounds and we therefore ask that you affirm the breadth of local church in all that you do.
Should any concerns be raised about staff, volunteers or speakers either during or after Summer Madness has finished we will seek to speak to you, in order to resolve this in an appropriate way, as soon as possible.
Health and Safety
Summer Madness are, as far as is reasonably practicable, responsible for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all employees and volunteers, who undertake our activities. You also have responsibility for your own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by your actions.
We request that everyone co-operates fully with Summer Madness’s Health and Safety Policy by:
You are asked to confirm the following:
I have read and agree to the Summer Madness speaker agreement
I have been given a copy of the Summer Madness Safeguarding Policy
I am not currently under investigation and I have no criminal record
I am happy to abide by the Summer Madness Code of Conduct while at the festival
Signature: _______________________ Date: ______________
Appendix 4 Recording Concerns
Date: _________________
Name of person reporting the concern: __________________________________________
Contact telephone number for person reporting the concern: _______________________
Name of organisation they are attending festival with: _____________________________
Is the person reporting the concern Summer Madness staff or volunteer? _____________
Name of person the concern relates to (potential person at risk): _____________________
Age of young person the concern relates to: _____________________________________
Name of organisation they are attending the festival with: __________________________
Nature of concern:
Name of Safeguarding team member receiving the concern _________________________
Action taken by Safeguarding Team:
Is onward referral required? Yes or No
Signature of Safeguarding Team member:
Statutory Referrals:
Police: 999
In an emergency, if there is immediate or imminent risk, the police should be contacted on 999.
Social Services:
In circumstances that are not an emergency, the local Gateway Social Services teams are the first point of contact to refer a concern about the safety or welfare of a child to children’s services. Referrals outside normal working hours (Monday – Friday 9-5pm) should be made to the Regional Emergency Social Work Service (RESWS). Referrals can be made in person, by telephone or in writing.
The Safeguarding Team will follow all advice given by the appropriate agency above.
Appendix 5 GDPR at Summer Madness
General Principles
As an organisation using Access Northern Ireland to help assess the suitability of applicants for positions of trust, Summer Madness complies fully with Access NI’s Code of Practice regarding the correct handling, use, storage retention and disposal of Disclosure Applications and Disclosure information. It also complies fully with its obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998, the GDPR regulations of 2018 and other relevant legislation pertaining with the safe handling, storage, retention and disposal of disclosure information.
Usage
Disclosure information is only used for the specific purpose for which it was requested and for which the applicant’s full consent has been given.
Retention
Once a recruitment (or other relevant e.g. regulatory or for licensing purposes) decision has been taken, we do not keep Disclosure information for any longer than is necessary. Information will not be retained but destroyed after the Summer Madness Festival or within six months.
Disposal
Once the retention period has elapsed, we will ensure that any Disclosure information is immediately destroyed by secure means i.e. by shredding, pulping or burning. While awaiting destruction, Disclosure Information will not be kept in any unsecured receptacle (e.g. waste bin or confidential sack). We will not keep any other relevant non conviction information supplied by Police but not included on the Disclosure. However, despite the above, we may keep a record of the date of issue of a Disclosure, the name of the subject, the type of disclosure requested, the position for which the Disclosure was requested, the Access NI unique reference number of the Disclosure Certificate and the details of the recruitment decision taken.