The Blues and Royals Association is committed tosafeguarding adults and promoting their wellbeing in all aspects of our work.This policy sets out how we prevent harm, respond to safeguarding concerns, anduphold safe practice across our digital community and related activities.
This policy applies to:
· Trustees, contractors, and anyoneworking on behalf of The Blues and Royals Association
· Adults who engage with or are affected by our servicesand digital platform
· Partner organisations, Association branches, andgroups using the platform, insofar as safeguarding responsibilities intersect
The Blues and Royals Association’s activity anddigital community platform is not intendedfor children, and users must be aged 18 or over.
The Blues and Royals Association recognises itsresponsibility to take all reasonable steps to safeguard adults who may be atrisk of harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
We are committed to:
· Providing a safe in-person and digital environment
· Enabling effective reporting and escalation ofsafeguarding concerns
· Working collaboratively with partners and externalagencies where safeguarding issues arise
We have a zero-toleranceapproach to abuseand are committed to acting promptly, proportionately, and transparently whenconcerns are raised.
An adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who:
· Has needs for care and support, and
· Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect,and
· Is unable to protect themselves because of those needs
Abuse may include, but is not limited to: physical,emotional, sexual, financial, discriminatory abuse, neglect, coercive control,or online harm.
· Safeguarding Lead:
Chris Elliott (Trustee and Regimental Secretary)
Email: rhg-d.regsec@householdcavalry.co.uk
Tel: 07881 625124
The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for:
· Receiving and assessing safeguarding concerns
· Ensuring appropriate action and escalation
· Liaising with external agencies where required
· Maintaining secure safeguarding records
All trustees, contractors, and partners areresponsible for:
· Being alert to safeguarding concerns
· Acting in line with this policy
· Reporting concerns promptly
The Blues and Royals Association recognises thespecific risks associated with online and community-based environments. Weaddress these by:
· Ensuring platform tools are available to reportconcerns, inappropriate behaviour, or harmful content
· Following COBSEO guidelines and best practice
· Escalating safeguarding concerns that present risk ofharm beyond routine moderation
· Taking appropriate action where platform terms orsafeguarding standards are breached
Small, localised activity groups (such as regionalgroups, branch dinners, walk-and-talks or coffee clubs) are required to followthe specific safeguarding policies and procedures provided to each leader orgroup admin.
Safeguarding concerns may be raised by:
· Military App platform users.
· Group organisers.
· Contractors or members of the public
Concerns should be reported as soon as possible to theSafeguarding Lead using:
· Direct contact (email or phone), or
· The platform’s reporting or contact mechanisms. Theseinclude: The Pinboard Contact function; The ‘FLAG’ tool embedded within app newor support articles, events, groups and chat.
All reports will be treated seriously and handledconfidentially, in line with data protection requirements.
When a safeguarding concern is raised, The Blues andRoyals Association will:
1. Listen carefully and take the concern seriously
2. Assess the level of risk and urgency
3. Take appropriate action to reduce harm
4. Refer to statutory services (such as adult social careor the police) where necessary
5. Keep clear, secure records of concerns and actionstaken
The Blues and Royals Association will not investigatesafeguarding matters beyond its remit but will support appropriate referral andcooperation with relevant authorities.
For independent safeguarding advice, individuals mayalso contact:
Ann Craft Trust
Tel: 0115 951 5400
Email: Ann-Craft-Trust@nottingham.ac.uk
Website: www.anncrafttrust.org
This policy is approved by the Board of Trustees andis reviewed annually, or sooner if:
· There are changes in legislation or guidance
· A significant safeguarding incident occurs
· Operational changes require review
