This policy is applicable to all clubs and districts in Rotary GB&I.

Rotary GB&I is committed to creating safe places for all. Through our volunteering in communities, we are fortunate to meet and work with incredible people. We enjoy what we do and want to make sure everyone we come into contact with also enjoys Rotary. To ensure this, we have a safeguarding policy which, combined with our safeguarding training and practices, which sets out how members and staff ('we') will keep everyone safe.

Rotary GB&I will not tolerate abuse of any kind.

If you have any questions, please contact Rotary GB&I Compliance; compliance@rotarygbi.org

Policy statement

Rotary GB&I staff and members of our clubs and districts recognise that the services they provide are used by children and by adults who may be classed as a person aged 18 and over who is at risk or may be vulnerable at certain times e.g. through their circumstances which may include at risk of abuse, needing care (whether or not by their local authority), may have learning difficulties which make them vulnerable to exploitation or other harm, unable to protect themselves or due to socioeconomic factors such as loneliness. This list is not exhaustive. Members are advised to check with their country's definition and always adhere to the law.

We have a duty to ensure the welfare of children and adults who may be at risk. This duty involves reporting the risk to an appropriate agency and Rotary GB&I and promoting a safe environment within the organisation.

We believe that these groups must be safeguarded from all forms of abuse. We recognise that we will, at all times, protect from the risk of abuse and identify and deal with specific instances of abuse if it occurs.

We take every possible action to prevent abuse and to deal with it as promptly and effectively as possible if it occurs.

When planning activities and events, we include an assessment of, and risk to, the safety of all adults from abuse and neglect and designates a person who will be in attendance as a safeguarding lead for that event.

Aim of the policy
The central aim of Rotary GB&I’s safeguarding policy is to inform all Rotarians, volunteers and staff of:

• Rotary GB&I’s approach to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk.
• ways in which the clubs and districts do this.
• the steps taken to avoid abuse taking place.
• the actions that will be taken to deal with abuse if it occurs.

Definition of abuse
Abuse may take any of the following forms:

• physical abuse.
• financial or material abuse.
• psychological abuse.
• emotional abuse.
• sexual abuse.
• neglect.
• discriminatory abuse.
• inhuman or degrading treatment.
• inappropriate or excessive restraint.

Responsibility
We have a duty to report serious concerns relating to abuse to appropriate agencies including the police, social services and the district safeguarding officer as well as the Rotary GB&I Compliance Officer.

The clubs and districts have a duty to ensure that Rotarians, or others who may be supporting Rotary activities, that include working with adults at risk and children have been carefully interviewed and selected, are adopting safe practices, have been appropriately trained and, where required, have had an enhanced background check (for example DBS, PVG, PSNI, Tusla).

Staff clubs and districts will undertake regular education to minimise any danger to adults at risk or children posed, even if they are not preparing for an event. Frequent training enables everyone to act safely at all times.

Rotary GB&I will:
• Set out and inform Rotarians and staff of the procedures for responding to suspicions or evidence of abuse.
• Incorporate material relevant to issues of abuse on the Rotary GB&I website.
• Maintain vigilance concerning the possibility of abuse from whatever source.
• Encourage a climate of openness which enables Rotarians and staff to pass on concerns about behaviour that might be abusive.
• Produce and regularly revise policies and procedures to minimise the risk of abuse.
• Investigate any allegations of abuse quickly and thoroughly.
• Implement improvements to procedures if an investigation reveals deficiencies in the way in which Rotary GB&I operates.
• Collaborate with other relevant agencies in combating abuse and improving the protection of our service users.

Districts and clubs will:
Appoint a Rotarian as the district safeguarding officer and also a Rotarian to be the club safeguarding officer. These officers will have suitable experience, training and expertise. There are role descriptions in the Rotary GB&I Safeguarding manual which is available in the compliance section of the members area in the Rotary GB&I website:

Safeguarding - Rotary GB&I Members Area (rotarygbi.org)

The district safeguarding officer will ensure that all club safeguarding officers within their district receive regular education to minimise any risks posed within their district.

We expect everyone to:

• Refrain from any abusive action.
• Report anything they witness which is or might be abusive.
• Co-operate in any investigation into alleged abuse.

Rotarians and staff should be aware of who they may turn to for advice if they become aware or suspect that abuse is occurring.

Failure by Rotarians and staff to report incidents or suspicions of abuse may lead to disciplinary action and possibly legal action e.g. police prosecution.

For more information, please contact Rotary GB&I Compliance:

Compliance@rotarygbi.org