Keeping our community safe
The Rainbow Collective CIC is committed to creating spaces where LGBTQIA+ people and allies can meet, socialise and participate in activities in an environment that is safe, respectful and welcoming.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We recognise that safeguarding isn’t simply about responding when something goes wrong. It’s about creating an environment where people are treated with dignity, concerns are taken seriously and appropriate action is taken when someone may be at risk of harm.
Who does safeguarding apply to?
Our safeguarding approach applies to everyone involved with The Rainbow Collective, including:
- Attendees and members
- Volunteers
- Organisers
- Performers
- Trustees and directors
- Partners and guest organisations
- Visitors to our events
- Members of our online communities
We expect everyone involved with our organisation to contribute towards creating a safe environment.
Our Code of Conduct
We have Codes of Conduct covering both our in-person activities and our online WhatsApp community.
These set out our expectations around respectful behaviour, inclusion, boundaries and keeping our spaces safe.
Please familiarise yourself with the relevant Code of Conduct before participating.
Children and young people
Under-18s are welcome at our activities where appropriate, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
Our activities aren’t intended to replace specialist youth services, and we recognise that children and young people may have different safeguarding needs from adults.
Where a safeguarding concern involving a child or young person arises, we will take appropriate action and seek specialist advice where necessary.
Adults at risk
Safeguarding also applies to adults who may be at increased risk of harm or exploitation.
A person may be at risk because of disability, illness, mental health difficulties, age, dependence on others or other circumstances.
We will take concerns seriously and respond appropriately, while respecting people’s dignity, independence and right to make their own decisions wherever possible.
What should I do if I’m worried?
If you are worried about someone’s safety, or something has happened that concerns you, please tell a member of The Rainbow Collective team as soon as possible.
If someone tells you something concerning
If somebody shares a safeguarding concern with you:
Listen
Give them time to speak and listen calmly.
Take them seriously
Don’t dismiss or minimise what they’ve told you.
Don’t promise secrecy
Explain that you may need to share information with someone who can help keep them safe.
Don’t investigate
Your role is to listen and pass the concern to the appropriate person.
Record what you can
Where appropriate, make a factual record of what was said, including dates and times. Avoid adding assumptions or personal opinions.
Report it
Pass the concern to the designated safeguarding person within The Rainbow Collective as soon as possible.
Confidentiality and information sharing
We respect people’s privacy and handle safeguarding information sensitively.
However, confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed where there is a serious concern about someone’s safety or the safety of another person.
Where information needs to be shared, we will aim to share only what is necessary with appropriate people or organisations.
We will handle personal information in accordance with our privacy and data protection responsibilities.
Online safeguarding
Our online communities, including WhatsApp groups, are subject to our Code of Conduct.
We expect members to:
- Treat others respectfully.
- Respect people’s identities and boundaries.
- Avoid harassment, bullying or discriminatory behaviour.
- Not share another person’s personal information without permission.
- Not share inappropriate or harmful content.
- Respect confidentiality.
- Raise concerns with the moderators or organisers.
We recognise that online spaces can create different safeguarding risks and will take concerns about online behaviour seriously.
Our approach
We aim to respond to safeguarding concerns:
Promptly
We don’t ignore concerns or unnecessarily delay action.
Proportionately
We respond according to the circumstances and level of risk.
Respectfully
We treat everyone involved with dignity.
Confidentially
We only share information where appropriate and necessary.
Without judgement
People should feel able to raise concerns without fear of being dismissed or blamed.
Contacting us
If you have a safeguarding concern relating to The Rainbow Collective, please contact us:
Email: hello@therainbowcollective.co.uk
If there is an immediate risk of serious harm, contact the appropriate emergency or safeguarding service rather than waiting for a response from The Rainbow Collective.