Unity 2026 Safeguarding Policy & Procedure
Policy Statement
The Safety of all persons attending Unity 2026 is paramount and is the responsibility of all at the event. Below is the process that the event will adopt in the event of an incident occurring during the camp. At all times the Girlguiding policies and guidance will be followed and advice obtained from HQ’s Safeguarding Team.
This Policy applies to all adults involved in Unity 2026, volunteers, paid staff, agency staff and anyone working on behalf of Girlguiding. Please ensure all concerns are passed through the Unity Safeguarding Officer who will also be able to support in reporting directly to HQ in line with the Girlguiding procedures.
It is important that the Safeguarding Officer is made aware of all concerns and we are able to follow procedures as outlined in this policy as they will be the ‘Situation Manager’ appointed by HQ Safeguarding for the concern whist at Unity 2026.
Girlguiding Commitment to Safeguarding
Direct link to Girl Guiding Safeguarding Policy - Safeguarding policy | Girlguiding
Direct link to Girlguiding Safeguarding Procedure - Safeguarding Procedure | Girlguiding
We’re committed to safeguarding all adults and children, offline and online. Everyone has a right to live free from abuse, exploitation, harm and fear, and to be safe and well.By following this policy you’ll help to create a safe space where all our members can have a great guiding experience.Whilst harm can take place offline, online, and sometimes both, we know that some types of harm can happen only, or mostly online. We follow the same safeguarding principles for Girlguiding’s activities offline and online.We respond to all types of safeguarding concerns, recent and non-recent, offline and online. .
Unity 2026 Safeguarding
To enable efficient, effective support for individuals involved in concerns relating to Safeguarding at Unity 2026 the following processes should be followed by all attending the event:
Triage of welfare/safeguarding incidents at Unity 2026
Tier 1: Personal problems of leaders / young people such as homesickness, socialisation issues, and the support of participants with additional needs - Managed by Leaders/Subcamp Team.
Tier 2: Concerning or actual inappropriate behaviour of a young person or an adult, or the welfare of a young person - ‘Non- Safeguarding’ - Managed by Subcamp Leader and reported to Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing and the Safeguarding Officer. On a daily basis these cases will be reported to HQ Safeguarding for consultation and advice.
Tier 3: Concerning or actual inappropriate behaviour of a young person or an adult, or the welfare of a young person - ‘Safeguarding’ - Report to Guiding HQ Safeguarding and the Safeguarding Officer - ‘Situation Manager’.
Tier 4: Allegation of abuse / possible criminal offence from an adult to a child, or between two young people/ children - ‘Safeguarding’ - Report to Guiding HQ Safeguarding and the Safeguarding Officer - ‘Situation Manager’.
Process for Tier 3 and 4: Reporting a Safeguarding Concern.
In accordance with Girlguiding safeguarding processes, in the event of an allegation or welfare concern that is a safeguarding concern ie: neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse. This is to be reported directly to the HQ Safeguarding Team - at the same time the Safeguarding Officer is to be contacted to become the ‘Situation Manager’ for the concern.
The Safeguarding Officer in conjunction with the Duty Incident Officer will be directed by HQ Safeguarding for any action required to immediately safeguard the adult and /or young person.
Actions may include support for persons concerned, advice and guidance including an agreed plan of action using resources available.
In the event of a matter where a young person is at immediate risk of significant harm and needs to be reported to the emergency services, the matter will be reported to the duty Incident Officer, who will report the matter via 999. The duty Incident Officer will obtain the call handler’s name, and the reference number from the call. This should then be passed immediately to the Girlguiding Safeguarding Team, who will then advise the ‘Situation Manager’ of appropriate actions to be taken.
If the matter is an issue that is happening back at home then this will be reported to the HQ Safeguarding Team who will take appropriate action including making any necessary referrals, and contacting the relevant Guiding Commissioners to ensure appropriate support is given when home.
Safeguarding Training
All volunteers attending the Unity 2026 as part of the registration process will be expected to completed either:
- the Girlguiding Safer Guiding training for all Girlguiding Members
- All external visitors who are non-members attending Unity 2026 as part of the registration process will be expected to have read and understood the Girlguiding Unit Safeguarding Guidelines.
In addition to Safeguarding Training, there will be 16 trained Mental Health First Aiders to support with any additional wellbeing requirements of attendees.
Unity 2026 Safeguarding Officer - Natalie Ainsworth