Introduction
“Our group is committed to developing the sustainability of our community. Sustainability cannot
be achieved without being fully inclusive and protecting the vulnerable in our community. As our
group expands and our activities become more ambitious, we need to remain aware of our
commitment to safeguard the adult members of our group and those that we work with.” John
Schofield, Chairman November 2021
Purpose
The purpose of this Safeguarding Statement will:
● Help to protect adults at risk from abuse and/or inappropriate behaviour from other individuals;
● Clarify the standard of behaviour required of members and volunteers.
● Reduce the possibility of unfounded allegations of abuse being made against members and volunteers.
Approach
Sustainable Devizes is a small community group with little expertise in safeguarding. The group
will not conduct projects or activities with non-members unless they belong to a partner group
who have safeguarding measures and procedures in place. It is up to the Planning Group to
establish that partners have suitable safeguarding measures in place.
Principles
As an adult working in Sustainable Devizes – whether as a member or a volunteer – you have a
responsibility to ensure that everyone attending Sustainable Devizes activities, particularly
children, young people and vulnerable adults, are protected from harm. It is the responsibility
of each adult working in Sustainable Devizes to ensure that:
● their behaviour is appropriate at all times;
● they observe the rules established for the safety and security of children, young people and vulnerable adults;
● they follow the procedures following suspicion, disclosure or allegation of child abuse;
● the recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed; and
● in every respect, the relationships they form with the children, young people and vulnerable adults in their care are appropriate
All persons who are members of Sustainable Devizes, must accept and understand this Safeguarding Statement.
Meeting your responsibilities
To give positive guidance the Code of Behaviour below provides a list of ‘do’s and don’ts’ to help you ensure that:
● the welfare of the children and/or young people and/or vulnerable adults for whom you have a duty of care is safeguarded;
● you avoid compromising situations or opportunities for misunderstandings or allegations. Code of behaviour:
The Do’s
- DO put this code into practice at all times;
- DO treat everyone with dignity and respect;
- DO set an example you would wish others to follow;
- DO treat all young people equally – show no favouritism;
- DO plan activities that involve more than one other person being present, or at least are within sight and hearing of others;
- DO follow recommended adult/young people ratios for meetings and activities;
- DO respect the right to personal privacy of a child, young person or vulnerable adult;
- DO avoid unacceptable situations within a relationship of trust, eg: a sexual relationship with a young person or vulnerable adult over the age of consent;
- DO have separate sleeping accommodation for children, young people, adults and Young Leaders working with a younger Section in any overnight activity;
- DO allow children, young people and vulnerable adults to talk about any concerns they may have;
- DO encourage others to challenge any attitudes or behaviours they do not like;
- DO avoid being drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour, eg: tantrums and crushes;
- DO make report any concerns to a Sustainable Devizes Officer so that appropriate action can be taken;
- DO remember this code even at sensitive moments, eg: when responding to bullying, bereavement or abuse;
- DO keep other members of staff/volunteers informed of where you are and what you are doing;
- DO remember someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned;
- DO take any allegations or concerns of abuse seriously and refer immediately.
The Don’ts
- DO NOT trivialise abuse;
- DO NOT form a relationship with a child, young person or vulnerable adult that is an abuse of trust;
- DO NOT permit abusive peer activities, eg: initiation ceremonies, bullying;
- DO NOT engage in inappropriate behaviour or contact – physical, verbal, sexual;
- DO NOT play physical contact games with children, young people or vulnerable adults;
- DO NOT make suggestive remarks or threats to a young person, even fun;
- DO NOT use inappropriate language – writing, phoning, email or internet;
- DO NOT let allegations, suspicions, or concerns about abuse go unreported;
- DO NOT just rely on your good name to protect you.
Management
This statement is to be reviewed annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), brought to the attention of members, any changes agreed and ratified.