The Ware Society Safeguarding Policy

The Ware Society recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of members involved in our activities. This policy provides advice and specifies good practice guidelines to be followed by all members.  

Everybody has different levels of vulnerability and each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time. All members who may be vulnerable have a right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.  In all our activities we will:

  • Value, listen and respect members who may be vulnerable.
  • Ensure that all members feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse.
  • Recognise equality amongst people and relationships.
  • Do all we can to help members who may be vulnerable to be and remain active contributors within the Ware Society and if they are or become unable to participate independently, encourage them to bring a companion/carer with them in order that they can continue to enjoy the benefits of Ware Society  membership.
  • Ensure all members are aware of their responsibilities to protect vulnerable people.

The Ware Society will follow a policy of providing equality of opportunity to all members and potential members, regardless of social standing, language, ethnicity, gender, orientation and educational background.  All reasonable efforts will be made to facilitate membership for vulnerable people (as defined in the Home Office document No Secrets published March 2000) who wish to become members.  If required, membership will be extended to a companion/carer at no cost.

The key principles of the Ware Society Safeguarding Policy are:

  • The welfare of the members is paramount to any other considerations.
  • All participants, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, faith, culture, language or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse or harm.
  • The Ware Society recognises that all members have the right to participate in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, and harm and poor practice. The Society recognises that this is the responsibility of every adult involved.
  •  All allegations or suspicions of abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.  

Any such allegations or suspicions should be reported immediately in confidence to any Committee member for formal investigation. If at any time you are not able to contact a committee member and the matter is clearly serious then you should contact the police on 999.

Children are not normally involved in our activities. However, they may occasionally be present accompanying one of our members. In this case, the member must be with the child at all times and is responsible for the welfare of the child. In such circumstances this policy applies to the child as well as to any vulnerable adults. 

The Ware Society requires all its members to comply with the best practice guidance below. The following behaviours are not acceptable, will be treated seriously:

  • Working alone with a child, children or vulnerable adult.
  • Consuming alcohol whilst responsible for children or for vulnerable adults. 
  • Bullying or humiliating children or vulnerable adults.
  • Inappropriate or unnecessary physical contact with a child or vulnerable adult. 
  • Having an intimate relationship with any child or vulnerable adult developed as a result of being in a position of trust. 
  • Making sexually explicit comments or sharing sexually explicit material.

Last review date November 2023