Safeguarding
Keswick Rambling Club has a duty of care to its members and as such is committed to good practice which includes having clear procedures and processes for all of its members to follow.
These are also outlined by the Ramblers Association to which Keswick Rambling Club has an affiliation membership.
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/about-us/safeguarding-ramblers
This statement is written to enable the Committee to act appropriately where instances or allegations of grievance, neglect or abuse come to their attention. The scope of this is limited to instances which are connected within the activities of walking, social and business occasions under the auspices of Keswick Rambling Club.
If any member of Keswick Rambling Club is subject to, or becomes aware of, a grievance, neglect or abuse from a member within the Club occurring in a Keswick Rambling Club setting, they should report this to one of the 4 officers of the committee as soon as possible. These are the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Web Manager. The structure of the Club is outlined to members on our website where their contact details are listed.
Once this has been received, the officers reserve the right to consider discussion with the committee of 9 members as a whole to decide the best course of action. Their aim will be to treat this seriously and compassionately to achieve resolution in compliance with the Club duties of care towards all members.
This could be simply by informal management and resolution by contacting the specific member or members involved to resolve the grievance quickly and directly, and in agreement with all concerned.
Or they may decide for example to request investigation of all parties involved by meeting individuals separately with 2 members of the committee. A decision will then be made as to the outcome of investigations and the involved parties contacted.
Clause 12 of the Constitution regarding the expulsion of a member is available to the committee in their considerations if this is considered appropriate.
Whilst Keswick Rambling Club will make every effort to respect the confidentiality of any information that is disclosed under our safeguarding procedure, this cannot be absolute and information may have to be shared on a “need to know” basis only. All information will be recorded.