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The purpose of the policy:

  • As a grassroots movement, which offers a welcome to asylum seekers and refugees, the aim of the policy is to give an understanding of the protection and procedures that are offered as part of Wakefield District City of Sanctuary activities.
  • This policy is to offer guidance to all people who participate in Wakefield District City of Sanctuary activities including volunteer, enablers and helper.
  • This policy is for when something has happened which makes you feel uncomfortable in a situation or something has been said that has upset or worried you.
  • This policy is to help you find help and advice.

This policy should be read alongside our policies and procedures for:

  • Recruiting Policy
  • Code of conduct for volunteers, enablers and helpers.
  • Induction and training Policy 
  • Role of designated Safeguarding officer
  • Recording and information sharing 
  • Health and safety policies 
  • Lone working policies 
  • Reporting allegations of bullying or complaints of inappropriate behaviour. 

Statement: 

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary offers equal opportunities to all people and will not tolerate abuse of any kind – physical, verbal, racial, cultural or religious. As a grassroots movement, we have a moral responsibility, to all people associated with the group, to offer safety, protection and equality. 

We recognise that:

The welfare of all people is enshrined in law and regardless of age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity; everyone has the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse. 

We also recognise that some people are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences and circumstances.

We will try to ensure that partner organizations are aware of the vulnerability of many of the people associated with the group.  

We will seek to offer people a safe environment by:

  • Providing an outline of the structure of the National movement
  • Providing an outline of the structure of the local movement and an outline of the roles people have within the local movement and in the drop-ins or sessions. 
  • Appointing designated person as a safeguarding point of contact at each location or at each activity or event.
  • Appointing an independent Safeguarding Officer
  • Lead Volunteers will be encouraged to foster an environment which enables people to be respected and listened to and valued as individuals.
  • WDCofS will promote acceptable codes of conduct, behaviour and language.
  • WDCofS will provide effective supervision, support and training for volunteers, enablers and helpers.
  • WDCofS will store recorded information securely and respect confidential information.   
  • Through the leadership structure of the local movement safeguarding procedures will include the contacting the appropriate agencies when concerns or issues are raise.
  • Through the leadership structure and through outlined procedures any allegations by or against volunteers or members of the movement will be managed appropriately. 
  • During the induction process volunteers will be informed of how to raise a safeguarding concern and who to contact to register a complaint against a volunteer or a person associated with the movement. 
  • WDCofS will ensure that we have safe physical environments for all members of the movement.
  • WDCofS will encourage all parts of the movement to have an awareness of safe social environment for all participants. 

This policy was written on August 14th 2016.

Updated 18th March 2017