Ground Rules

KEEPING ALLSORTS SAFE FOR ALL

Our aim is for all Allsorts Groups andActivities to be safe and inclusive spaces where all young people, volunteersand staff feel respected, safe and understood

To help us achieve this we have a groupagreement, a procedure for managing young people that break these ground rulesand a procedure and guidelines for managing issues between young people

We expect all young people, volunteers and staffto agree to these and support us in Keeping Allsorts Safe for All.



ALLSORTS  GROUP AGREEMENT
‍All members of Allsorts Youth Project, young people, volunteers, members of staff  help create a safe space for each other by agreeing to  the following:


1. Treating each other with respect.

2. Respecting confidentiality.

3. Welcoming and including new people to Allsorts.

4. Being understanding of each other’s differences.

5. Not using sexually inappropriate language or innuendos.

6. Not taking photos or making video calls during groups.

7. Avoiding getting involved in gossip of any kind.

8. Respect each other’s personal space and boundaries.

9. Not using Allsorts as a romantic space.

10. Not swearing or using violent, bullying or abusive behaviour/language.

11. Not using drugs and/or alcohol before or during sessions.

12. Ensuring the only appropriate online content is being viewed/used.

13. Not making assumptions about anyone’s gender identity or sexual orientation. We are an LGBTU Youth Project.

These are our priority ground rules but there may be other behaviours not covered that may require action if Allsorts is made unsafe as a result


WHAT HAPPENS IF THE GOUND RULES GET BROKEN?

If a young person breaks the ground rules it may make staff, volunteers or young people feel unsafe and if this happens it maybe necessary to take the following actions.

1. If a young person breaks the ground rules they will receive a warning from a member of staff.

2. If a young person consistently or seriously breaks ground rules or makes the drop-in / group / activity unsafe they will be asked to leave that session immediately.

Young people who are asked to leave a session will be contacted by a staff member and will be required to attend a one to one session with a staff member to review the situation and see when/whether it is possible for them to return to Allsorts.

3. In cases of serious misconduct, Allsorts staff may decide that groups are not appropriate for a young person and they will be ‘suspended’ for a period of time to be decided by staff at Allsorts.

In most cases their situation will be reviewed on a regular basis to see if the situation has changed and they can return.


MANAGING ISSUES WITH OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE

1. Deal with it directly by speaking to the young person you are having an issue/difficulty with
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2. If speaking to them directly does not get things resolved, in some circumstances we may be able to offer a mediation where a Youth Worker talks with you both to try and help resolve the issue..  

3. If you don’t feel able to resolve the issue directly with the young person, you may wish to make an ‘informal complaint’ to a Youth Worker who, if necessary, may deal with the issue for you

4. You may feel this issue is so serious that it requires a ‘formal complaint’. If this is the case, please speak to a YouthWorker who will inform you of the formal complaints procedure.

What if I have a complaint about a volunteer or staff member?
‍Please contact the Safety Officer, Katie Vincent, by email or speak to a staff member in confidence.