Last updated: December 2024

The purpose and scope of this policy statement

The mission of the Société Jersiaise (the “Société”, “we” or “us”) is to produce and facilitate research, and to share that knowledge with the widest possible audience for the benefit of our island community.

We achieve our aims through our active members’ Sections, research collections, community outreach and collaboration with local and international heritage partners.

The purpose of this policy statement is:

• to provide staff, members and volunteers, as well as children, young people, vulnerable adults and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.

• to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who are members of or participate in activities of the Société from harm. This includes the children of adults who are members or who participate in our activities.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of the Société, including the board of directors, paid staff, members, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up based on safeguarding legislation, policy and guidance in Jersey.

Supporting documents

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents:

• role description for the designated safeguarding officer

• dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child or young person

• managing allegations against staff, members and volunteers

• recording concerns and information sharing

• safeguarding records retention and storage

• code of conduct for staff, members and volunteers

• behaviour codes for children and young people

• photography and sharing images guidance

• safer recruitment

• online safety

• anti-bullying

• managing complaints

• whistleblowing

• health and safety

• induction, training, supervision and support

• adult to child supervision ratios.

We believe that:

• children, young people and vulnerable adults should never experience abuse of any kind

• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse

• we have a duty to act on reports or suspicions of abuse and we therefore adopt a zero-tolerance of abuse within the Société and by our members.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• valuing, listening to and respecting them

• appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, and a lead board member for safeguarding

• adopting safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff, members and volunteers

• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures

• providing effective management for staff, members and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff, members and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently

• recruiting and selecting staff, members and volunteers who come into contact with children safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

• recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance

• providing safeguarding training to staff, members and volunteers who come into contact with children and vulnerable adults

• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff, members and volunteers appropriately

• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise

• ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place

• building a safeguarding culture where staff, members and volunteers, children, young people, vulnerable adults and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Contact details

Nominated safeguarding lead

Name: The Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Bailhache

Phone/email: 01534 758314 / ceo@societe.je

Lead Board member for safeguarding

Name(s): The President, Stuart Fell

Phone/email: 01534 758314 / president@societe.je