Safeguarding

District Safeguarding Overview:

Safeguarding means exactly what it says ‘keeping everybody as SAFE as practically possible and GUARDING everybody against possible harm.

All Rotary Club Presidents when they sign the annual COMPLIANCE DOCUMENT are taking responsibility for and signing that their club are compliant with the RGB&I Safeguarding Policy (children & adults) as well as the other compliance policies, GDPR, Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity and the linked Dignity policy.

I believe that we are fortunate to live in a society that is rich in cultural, social, sexual, ethnic and religious diversity. Where people of all ages and abilities should have the freedom to thrive without fear. However sadly in our society there also exist threats to an individual’s well-being. We are all aware through the media of: the historic child abuse scandals, the grooming gangs in Telford and elsewhere and allegations of improper conduct in the police and schools. Internationally the scandals involving serious misconduct in religious organisations and charities have significantly damaged their reputations.

Allied to this we have an increasing culture of compensation claiming that risks clouding the genuine cases by a flood of fraudulent accusations. Insurance companies although they are in the risk business are seeking to reduce their risk and pay-outs.

This then sadly is the society that ROTARY works within putting ‘SERVICE BEFORE SELF’ and trying to ‘MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND INTERNATIONALLY’.

There is a perception that because it is a Rotary event it is well organised and SAFE!

All our events are only SAFE if we make them so!

SAFEGUARDING HAS 3 MAIN ASPECTS:-

SAFEGUARDING itself, every Rotarian should be aware of:

What to do and what not to do when working with children and vulnerable adults (details should be included in appropriate event risk assessments).

RI has a useful safeguarding training programme ‘Protecting Youth Programme Participants’. This is available via ‘My Rotary’ and the Learning & Development Centre.

This course is recommended to all clubs who manage events involving children as a minimum awareness raising exercise.

RISK ASSESSMENT Safeguarding should be an integral aspect of all club risk assessments. A risk assessment is a PRACTICAL,FLEXIBLE,DOCUMENT /TOOL that should be read and understood by everyone helping with the event, it should clearly inform everyone involved of the DO’s & DON’Ts.

RBB&I insurance brokers Bartlett’s require that all Rotary clubs check to make sure that all their events are covered by Rotary Insurance and that an accurate risk assessment document is in place. No risk assessment = no insurance cover in the event of a claim.

ENHANCED DBS (Rotary only supports enhanced DBS as this process is a more in depth process)  Appropriate applications should be made via the club Safeguarding Officer to the District Safeguarding Officer (see details of the District DBS system) for Rotarians involved in events such as:

• RYLA (due to the residential element)
• Youth Exchange Programmes
• Rotakids/Interact

Rotary recommends that the lead Rotarian liaising with the school should hold an enhanced DBS. Schools usually also insist that ‘volunteers’ working in the school hold their enhanced DBS certificates.

It is recommended that if you think an event requires a DBS certificate for the Rotarians        involved discuss your event with the District Safeguarding Officer first. It maybe that by adjusting aspects of the event via a revised risk assessment this removes the need for the DBS application. It is an offence to apply for an unnecessary DBS certificate.

It should be remembered that an enhanced DBS certificate is rather like the MOT on your car.  It is a snapshot in time-that can be kept up to date by registering at the time of application with the UPDATE Service but is no outright guarantee.

An enhanced DBS runs for 3 years, but if the individual has subscribed to the update service the CSO can access the DBS record and check that there have been no changes that effect the status of the individual’s certificate.

If the individual does not sign up to the update service then every 3 years the individual and the CSO will have to go through the application procedure again from scratch!

As the District Support Team we are here to support clubs in working safely and making a positive difference in their local communities and internationally, and having fun too!

Guidance on the DBS process in D1180

    To discuss any safeguarding issues for your club you may have and to check any potential DBS requirements please contact the District Safeguarding Officer:-

               Alan Morgan   alanmorganmed@btinternet.com

For all other enquires for Safe guarding and obtaining a DBS for your clubs activities then please contact Alan Morgan