Sheffield branch library denies not following safeguarding rules

Broomhill Library was reported to the Charity Commission for allegedly not vetting its volunteers stringently enough.

But the library says it follows both government and council guidelines and no individuals have been put at risk, nor has there been any data breaches.

Pete Thetree, of Tinsley, said he wanted the council to investigate the library.

He said: “I was shocked to see that the application form for Broomhill library asks for references, but says these may not be taken up.

“This is despite the library having under-16s on work experience, hosting children’s activities and volunteers having access to children’s data via the Library Management System.”

Judith Pitchforth, chairman of the board of trustees at Broomhill Community Trust said she believed there had been some confusion.

She said: “BCT was registered as a charity in 2018 to develop the library site. It organises fundraising events and manages the planning process for developing the library site.

“However, it is Broomhill Community Library, a limited company, which has the Memorandum of Understanding with Sheffield Council to run the library.

“BCT, along with BCL, wish to make it clear we take safeguarding very seriously and follow due diligence procedures, council and national guidance for recruiting volunteers.

“BCT and BCL are committed to ensuring the safeguarding and well-being of people in the library.

“The council has advised that DBS checks are not carried out as a matter of routine for people working in libraries and this is in line with the government guidelines.

“We require all volunteers to provide details of people who can provide references, and take them up where we feel it is necessary for the role.

“Recruits are supervised in their roles as they are training and continue to be in the public domain after training.

“At no time do we ever have volunteers working in isolation with vulnerable people in BCT or BCL.

“Volunteers dealing with personal information also sign data protection agreements. All of our trustees have to declare other interests and sign a declaration of suitability."

Ms Pitchforth said the library had been operating safely with no data breaches since September 2014.