MAN CLUB
SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Guiding Principles
Man Club recognises that its activities involve working with vulnerable people.

Man Club believes that nobody involved in our work should experience abuse, harm, neglect or exploitation. Man Club recognises that abuse can take many forms, such as physical, psychological or emotional, financial, sexual or institutional abuse, including neglect and exploitation.

 Man Club accepts that it has a responsibility to promote the welfare of its beneficiaries, staff and volunteers, and will act to keep them safe and to work in a way that protects them.

Man Club will create a culture in which people not only feel safe but are also able to speak up if they have any concerns.

Procedures
All Man Club personnel, including Directors/Trustees, Group Facilitators, and any volunteers or employees who engage directly with beneficiaries in any way, (i.e. in person or via. social media), will undertake safeguarding training and submit to a DBS check.

Safeguarding training will be appropriate to the role being carried out, and will include advice on how abuse, harm, neglect, or exploitation might be noticed, and advice on what action to take.

Safeguarding training will also provide advice on how Man Club volunteers/employees can keep themselves safe, including advice on maintaining boundaries and record keeping.

It is expected that safeguarding training will be refreshed every two years – or more often if required by events (such as the introduction of new legislation), or by other local regulations.

DBS certificates will be reviewed by the Directors/Trustees, (or by a suitable individual/organisation appointed by the Directors/Trustees), to ensure that there is no reason that an individual could be considered unsuitable for their appointed role. Expert advice will be obtained if there is any uncertainty. DBS check results will be kept strictly confidential, (unless there is a clear risk of harm in which case information may be shared with local law enforcement or with those at risk.

It is expected that DBS checks, and a review of the check results, will be renewed every two years for all man Club personnel covered by this policy.

The Secretary will keep a record of DBS certificate reference numbers and dates, along with a note from the Directors/Trustees (or their appointed reviewer) – for each certificate – confirming that the DBS check did not reveal anything of concern. The DBS certificates will be retained by the personnel to whom they relate.

When fundraising, Man Club (Channel Islands) will follow the fundraising Code of Practice published by the UK Fundraising Regulator. In particular, the charity will: 

• Take particular care when carrying out any fundraising activities involving children, following the advice of local and UK authorities.
  
  
• Ensure fundraising material is accessible, clear and ethical, and not place any undue pressure on individuals to donate.
  
  
• Not either solicit or accept donations from anyone whom we know or think may not be competent to make their own decisions.
  

Personal data will be handled in accordance with local regulations and in line with the charity’s GDPR policies and procedures.

Man Club (Channel Islands) will obtain the required permission before using quotations, brands, images, etc, in its publications or on its website or social media accounts.

Reporting and Responsibilities
The Secretary of the Man Club (Channel Island) board will administer the safeguarding procedure and hold training and certification records. The Directors/Trustees will, as a collective board, assume the responsibilities typically associated with a ‘Safeguarding’ or ‘Welfare’ Director.

The board of Directors/Trustees will: -

• Work to create a culture of respect, in which everyone feels safe and able to speak up.
  
  
• Complete an annual review of safety and safeguarding policy, noting any issues, lapses, or areas of risk. Any work required to address issues or shortfalls will be agreed upon and a record made.
  
  
• Ensure that beneficiaries, employees, volunteers, (and others who may be involved with the charity’s activities), are aware of the charity’s safeguarding policies and procures – and aware of their own responsibilities.
  
  
• Listen and engage with beneficiaries, employees, volunteers, (and others who may be involved with the charity’s activities), and involve them in discussions and decision-making as appropriate.
  
  
• Respond to any concerns sensitively and take action quickly to address these.
  

Man Club (Channel Islands) will provide a route by which anybody can report concerns independently of the Directors/Trustees. The charity will provide this information to employees, volunteers, (and others who may be involved with the charity’s activities).

All Directors/Trustees, employees, volunteers, (and others who may be involved with the charity’s activities), will be expected to remain alert for signs of potential abuse, harm, neglect or exploitation alert the Directors/Trustees. Everyone involved with the charity is expected to report their concerns – either to the Directors/Trustees or to a responsible person/body independent of the Directors/Trustees.

Review
This policy will be reviewed every year.