Safe Space & Safeguarding Policy

Purpose
This policy outlines The Wee Retreat C.I.C.’s commitment to creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all staff, volunteers, practitioners, attendees, and community members. It reflects our values and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

Below are our the continuous efforts we as a team ask all staff, volunteers, practitioners, attendees, and community members to practice.

Policy Statement

Safety is our top priority. We are committed to ensuring that everyone who engages with The Wee Retreat feels welcome, respected, and protected from harm. This includes safeguarding children and adults at risk, and actively preventing discrimination, harassment, and abuse of any kind.

Our safeguarding approach is embedded in our organisational values and quality standards:

  • Respect – We treat others as we would wish to be treated.
  • Inclusion – We work together, involve others, and consult meaningfully.
  • Presence – We ensure our actions make a real and positive difference.
  • Integrity – We are down to earth and transparent.
  • Empowerment – We support others to achieve their goals and uphold their rights.

Guiding Principles

  1. Everyone’s Responsibility

Every individual at The Wee Retreat shares responsibility for safeguarding and creating a safe space. This includes recognising and responding to concerns and modelling respectful behaviour.

  1. Prevention

We take proactive steps to prevent harm, including:

  1. Safe recruitment and vetting practices
  2. Clear codes of conduct
  3. Promoting safe and inclusive working environments
  4. Raising awareness of safeguarding and EDI principles

3. Protection


We provide clear policies, procedures, and training to help staff and volunteers identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

  1. Partnership


We work collaboratively with statutory bodies, regulators, and relevant organisations to ensure safeguarding concerns are addressed effectively and lawfully.

  1. Empowerment


We are person-centred in our approach, upholding the dignity, autonomy, and rights of all individuals.

  1. Accountability


We are committed to transparency, continuous learning, and improvement. We regularly review our policies and practices to ensure they remain effective and inclusive.

Reporting and Support

If you witness or experience behaviour that contradicts this policy, including discrimination, harassment, or safeguarding concerns, please report it to .

All reports will be handled sensitively and in line with our procedures.

Creating a Safe Space in Practice

We ask all members of our community to:

  • Be mindful of language and behaviour, especially in group settings.
  • Respect diverse identities, beliefs, and experiences.
  • Avoid assumptions or generalisations.
  • Uphold confidentiality and boundaries.
  • Support others with compassion and care.