Safeguarding and Code for Ringing

Safeguarding Officer

The Ladies' Guild Safeguarding Officer is Rose Humphrey (rosehumph77_at_gmail.com). Contact Rose for any advice, or with any queries, on safeguarding matters.

Safeguarding Policy

The Ladies' Guild Safeguarding Policy - Maintaining a Safe Environment for Young People and Vulnerable Adults in Bell Ringing - is based on the example Safeguarding Policy for ringing societies provided by the Central Council for Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR Safeguarding page here).

The policy document contains:

• The Ladies’ Guild of Change Ringers Nature of Operation

• Guild Safeguarding Policy Statement 

• Requirements to meet Church and Legal Obligations 

• Fulfilling Safeguarding Requirements

• Dealing with Incidents and Known Offenders

• Review of Policy

• Good Practice Checklist

• Permission to Ring and Attend Guild Outside Activity Forms

The policy document is available to view in a browser, and download, here.

Code for Ringing

This is the Code for Ringing published by the CCCBR on 1/1/2024. For a printable version click here.

ALWAYS

1. Create a tower environment where all feel safe, respected, welcomed and valued.

2. Create a positive learning environment where feedback is timely and supportive

3. Respect your surroundings, the tower, church and the community where you ring.

4. Understand and observe others' personal boundaries.

5. Ring responsibly, with the well-being of your band and visitors in mind.

6. Look out for others' safety, raise concerns promptly and know what to do if you witness unacceptable behaviour.

7. Make sure all your interactions, online or in person, show empathy and courtesy.

8. Consider the impact of your words and actions on others; apologise if you're at fault.

9. Uphold the safeguarding policies of your parish and the ringing societies to which you belong.

10. Take pride in being part of the ringing community.

NEVER

1. Engage in, trivialise or endorse any form of abuse, bullying or harassment, or let these go unreported.

2. Engage in banter or language which could make someone feel demeaned, threatened or unwelcome, whether in person, by phone, online or via social media.

3. Undermine, ridicule or intimidate a less experienced ringer.

4. Personalise disagreements; deal with the issue, not the person.

5. Allow your decisions as a ringer to be compromised, by prejudice or any other cause.

6. Act unlawfully in your role as a ringer or in a way that brings ringing into disrepute.

If you witness unacceptable behaviour and are not sure how to respond, contact your parish or association safeguarding officer. Where someone is in immediate danger or requires urgent attention, call your local authority's children's or adult social services team, or the police on 999.