Safe working practices

for trainers

Heritage Crafts wants every bursary-funded training experience to be safe, respectful, and supportive for everyone involved. To release bursary funds, we ask trainers working with our bursary recipients to confirm that they understand and meet our Safe Working Practices requirements.

This helps us ensure that every trainee, whether learning in a workshop, studio, or private workspace can train with confidence, clarity, and appropriate safeguards in place.

Trainees will also be asked to read and sign off against the same Safe Working Practices Guidelines, so that both trainer and trainee are working from a shared understanding of expectations and responsibilities.

 

Why we ask trainers to complete this step

Many of our bursary recipients train one-to-one or in small workshop settings. Some trainers are experienced teachers; for others, this may be the first time they have formally shared their skills. Our Safe Working Practices Guidelines bring together the essentials from our safeguarding and health and safety policies, including:

  • Professional conduct and boundaries
  • Expectations for safe learning environments
  • Health and safety responsibilities
  • One-to-one working
  • What to do if something doesn’t feel right

As the guidelines state, all individuals supported by Heritage Crafts are expected to “act professionally and respectfully at all times” and “work safely, follow health & safety guidance, and use tools and PPE responsibly”.

By completing the form, trainers help us evidence that appropriate measures are in place before training begins.

 

What trainers need to do

1. Read the Safe Working Practices Guidelines

These guidelines outline the expectations for trainers and trainees, including safeguarding, health & safety, professional conduct, and reporting concerns.

Safe Working Practices Guidelines

You can view Heritage Crafts Safeguarding Policy here.

We also provide optional templates and examples to support trainers who may not yet have formal documents in place:

2. Complete the Trainer Sign-Off Form

All trainers must complete this form—even if:

  • You have trained Heritage Crafts bursary recipients before
  • You are training more than one bursary recipient this year
  • You already have safeguarding and health & safety measures in place

This form confirms that you have read the guidelines and that your training environment meets the expectations outlined.

Trainer Sign-Off Form

We are unable to release bursary funds until this form has been submitted and reviewed.

 

What happens next

Once we receive your completed form, our team will review the information to confirm that everything is in place for the bursary recipient to begin their training. If we need anything further, we will contact you directly.

If at any point during the training you have a concern about safety, behaviour, or wellbeing, you can contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead:

As the guidelines emphasise, “No concern is ever too small”.

 

Thank you

By completing this step, you help us ensure that you and your trainee can work in a mutually safe, respectful, and professional environment. We are grateful for your support in helping to safeguard the future of traditional craft skills.