Safeguarding
In 2020 there was a SIGBI Working Party of Safeguarding Leads. This was led by Shirley Jones, former SIGBI Designated Safeguarding Officer to review, revise and develop the SIGBI Safeguarding documentation. This was to ensure the requirements of the Charities Commission continue to be met.
The SIGBI Board subsequently, finalised the following documents in January 2021:
- Safeguarding Policy
- Safeguarding Procedure
- Safeguarding Guidance
- Risk Assessment Tool
- Information on Patterns of Abuse and Indicators
- Safeguarding Reporting Form
The Risk Assessment Tool should be considered for all events/Programme Action such as working supporting children at school, working in care homes. It is quite straight forward and provides examples in order to complete it.
All of the above documents are available on the SIGBI website (you need to be a member to access this file) SIGBI – VeryConnect
Safeguarding Video
There is a 3 minute video, which all club members are required to see, it explains what people should do if they see something, which is not quite right or makes them feel uncomfortable, with the message ‘If you see something, say something’. ‘Safeguarding Is Everyone’s Responsibility’.
The video and documents are located on the SIGBI Website in the Members Area.
The video is also available on You Tube https://youtu.be/OiXJVQSha9k.
Region and Club Safeguarding Leads
Ruth Thomas is the lead for the Southwest Region of 16 clubs. She can be reached on email – rutht@gmail.com
Dawn George is the lead for Kernow Soroptimists
Although the Safeguarding Lead role in clubs is not mandatory; the SIGBI Safeguarding Working Party and Regional Safeguarding Officers considered this role should be seen as best practice, to emphasise the importance of Safeguarding and to embed the knowledge and understanding at club/member level.
SIGBI Designated Safeguarding Officer
The Designated Safeguarding Officer for SIGBI is Annette Maudsley. Annette is a member of SI Liverpool.
Her aims over the next two years are to continue to:
• Educate on the role of safeguarding
• Reduce fears some may have with regards to safeguarding issues/concerns
• Further develop safeguarding topics identified in our communities
• Create training packages for members
• Ensure everyone knows there is help available for themselves and others if needed
Some members may have come across Annette as she facilitated a Modern Day Slavery workshop at a previous Conference.
A key message we are asked to heed is: –