Safeguarding Policy
Introduction
Our aim as a Charity is to be a diverse, multicultural inclusive and non-judgmental safe listening and learning space. Meeting together, many of our needs and life experiences can be shared, validated and celebrated. We support women who feel sidelined and overlooked through our 1:1 emails, Signposting list and in various informal peer support groups.
Policy statement
Abuse can be physical, emotional, financial and the neglect of a person’s needs and dignity. Safeguarding volunteers and service users is everyone’s responsibility. Disclosures must be made using our Safeguarding Reporting Form. These can be made directly in a specific statement, indirectly by using ambiguous statements or through statements detailing altered behaviour including that which is non-verbal, indicating something isn’t right. Partial disclosure of abuse still requires reporting.
Women Stepping Out believes all women have value and an equal right to respect and protection from all forms of abuse, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity or race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We will take every reasonable step to ensure that all women are empowered and protected where our trustees, and volunteers are involved in the delivery of our service and that we maintain a high level of responsible accountability. Women Stepping Out recognises that health, well-being, ability, disability and need for care and support can affect a person’s resilience and also recognise that some people experience barriers, for example, to communication in raising concerns or seeking help. We are committed to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm to adults which necessitates: the recognition of adults who may be at risk and the circumstances which may increase risk and being willing to report safeguarding concerns.
Scope
All who access or who are involved in our service should:
1. Be made aware of this policy and have all alleged incidents, recent or historical, taken seriously, recognised and swiftly acted upon. 2. Receive fair and respectful treatment throughout and be involved in the process as appropriate. 3. We expect everyone trustees and volunteers to have read, understood and adhere to this policy and related procedure.
Purpose
This policy aims to cover our commitment and procedures for safeguarding adults and to detail our role and responsibility in fulfilling that aim. Trustees and volunteers will be equipped through this policy to make informed and confident decisions regarding volunteer and clients safeguarding. Trustees and volunteers receive training on safeguarding awareness and procedures so they are competent in dealing with all aspects of safeguarding and referral to the relevant external agencies. Our service does not currently require all volunteers to have DBS checks but all our trustees have appropriate DBS certificates from their other volunteering or a Basic DBS check.
Implementation
For In Person Peer Support Groups:
1/ Boundaries, such as polite and respectful behaviour towards each other are expected. No judgement, harassment, gossiping to anyone out with the group or aggressive or challenging responses whether verbal, physical or implied will be tolerated. These group rules will be agreed to by participants and adhered to throughout all groups.
2/ Each session will have a host and at least one volunteer facilitator, without which the session will not proceed. No volunteer is to be alone with a service user unless in an emergency and then for as short a time as possible.
3/ No volunteer to physically touch a service user unless this action is expressly allowed by the recipient and within full view of the group.
4/ Fellow service users are not to touch another unless this action is expressly allowed by the recipient and within full view of the group.
5/ A comprehensive Risk Assessment is completed as standard for all in person peer support sessions and for all public events, both indoors and out.
In Person Volunteer Team groups such as informal interviews and team meetings, will take place online or in a public area and respectful boundaries will still be expected and applied.
Women Stepping Out has a designated lead, Margaret Hogg who is responsible for safeguarding.
Email contact: info@womensteppingout.co.uk Mobile no: 07923 546951
The role of the Designated Lead is to:
Assume overall responsibility for safeguarding across the organisation. It is not the role of the designated lead or Women Stepping Out to decide whether abuse has taken place. It is vital that trustees and volunteers raise all cases of suspected or alleged abuse in line with the procedures identified in this policy as there may already have been concerns expressed by other trustees and volunteers. Failure to report concerns may put others at risk and details of concerns and actions taken should be shared with the board immediately.
Recruitment and Training
All trustees and volunteers are carefully recruited in line with good recruitment practice, to include where applicable a full and up to date Criminal Record check if their role meets the eligibility criteria outlined by the Disclosure and Barring Service. The induction process includes familiarisation with the charity’s Safeguarding Policy and Reporting Procedure, appropriate training in good and unbiased listening skills if dealing with clients directly and provision of up to date and relevant Safeguarding awareness. Online safeguarding support is provided to volunteers by information on maintaining safe relationships and through regular supervision with the Volunteer Coordinator. All volunteers should be aware of the consequences of behaviour that breaches the Trustee Code of Conduct or the Volunteers Agreement Letter. Though our female clients come to us of their own volition and are not medically referred, they all deserve our respect and empathy and acceptance of their perceived understanding of events. Our Trustee Code of Conduct Policy and Volunteer Agreement Letter detail the expected behaviour towards our clients and other team members.
Legislation
In its wider context, safeguarding adults applies to everyone over the age of 18 and is about protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. People and organisations working together can prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse and neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted, taking fully into account their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the relevant legislation and government guidance which can be found here The key legislation and government initiatives,
Raising and Managing a Concern
Anyone, a service user or concerned person can email the charity for the attention of the Safeguarding Lead and a trustee or volunteer can complete the Safeguarding reporting form that is freely available to all team members. All allegations or suspicions will be treated seriously and reported to the designated lead for safeguarding as soon as possible and logged accordingly, whether they are from a client or a person in a position of trust. The designated lead for safeguarding will then decide an appropriate plan of action. The exact nature of the action taken will be determined by the individual circumstances, but may include the involvement of external authorities, such as the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub. The complainant will receive a reply within five days and a resolution within 2 weeks if outside agencies or authorities are not involved. If Women Stepping Out are at fault, a written apology will be offered.
What to do if the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome:
If a service user or volunteer is still unhappy with the outcome of a complaint, find out how to complain about a charity, a decision we've made or a service we've provided. See more at: http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/cc47.aspx
Serious incident reporting framework and guidance:
If you suspect serious wrongdoing within the organisation, for example criminal offences, malpractice/misconduct or health and safety breaches, you should initially raise this by following the charity’s Complaints and Grievances Procedure. If the charity fails to deal with your concerns appropriately or you continue to suspect serious wrongdoing, you can report this to the Charity Commission – including anonymously if you wish to do so. In reporting your concerns to the Commission, you may be protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. To find out more, read the Commission’s whistleblowing guidance.
Recording and Information Sharing. GDPR is not a barrier to sharing information.
POLICY REVIEW
Date Policy approved: 09.06.2025
Next review Date: 09.06 2026
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Margaret Hogg.
Mobile no: 07923 546951
Email: info@womensteppingout.co.uk