Safeguarding

The Pagan Federation Safeguarding Policy

Introduction
The Pagan Federation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. We recognise our duty of care and uphold all standards expected of a UK charity, ensuring that everyone we engage with is protected from harm, abuse, or exploitation.

This policy applies to all members, officers, and volunteers of the Pagan Federation, as well as to individuals and organisations working on our behalf, including those involved in our regional branches and affiliated groups. We also expect anyone we partner with to adhere to these safeguarding principles. Where individuals or organisations fail to meet these expectations, we will take appropriate action, including, where necessary, ceasing collaboration.

This policy focuses specifically on safeguarding and protecting individuals from abuse and harm. Matters such as harassment, bullying, and discrimination are addressed separately within our Codes of Conduct and other relevant policies.

The Pagan Federation believes that all individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, or belief, have the right to live free from abuse and harm. We are committed to creating and maintaining safe environments where all people are respected and valued.

This document is publicly available on our website at www.paganfed.org

Policy Last Reviewed: [July 2025]
Next Review Due: [July 2026]

Pagan Federation Safeguarding Contact Sheet

Role	Name	Contact Email
Lead Safeguarding Officer	Joan Ball	Safeguarding@paganfederation.co.uk
Deputy Safeguarding Officer	Emma Shinn	advocacy@paganfederation.co.uk
General Secretary	Keith Tovey	gensec@paganfederation.co.uk
Communications Officer	Tessa Lowe-Rawlings	Communication@paganfederation.co.uk
Complaints officer	Rebbeca Rennie	Complaints@paganfederation.co.uk
President	Sarah Kerr	President@paganfederation.co.uk

Responsibilities
All Pagan Federation officers are expected to be familiar with this policy, the safeguarding training material referred to below, and to follow reasonable guidance issued in specific contexts with committee approval.

Volunteers at events are expected to understand and follow any briefing material given in this context.

For Pagan Federation members, failure to comply may lead to an investigation under the complaints process, which may result in membership being terminated. For non-members, it may lead to exclusion from future volunteering.

Contexts Where Safeguarding Applies
Pagan Federation officers, Chaplains and volunteers may come into contact with individuals through various contexts, including:

• Pagan Federation events
• Pagan events not under our control
• Outreach work (e.g. pastoral or community support)
• Online forums and social media platforms (e.g. Facebook groups)
• Chaplaincy settings (e.g. prisons, hospitals, universities)

All of our planning and engagement activities will aim to minimise risk and promote the safety of vulnerable people. Officers must remain vigilant and follow the reporting protocol described in this policy.

If concerns falling within the remit of this policy are expressed to a Pagan Federation Officer, they should be passed on promptly to the designated safeguarding contacts.

Safeguarding concerns should be brought to the attention of the Lead Safeguarding Officer, Joan Ball, or the Deputy Safeguarding Officer, Emma Shinn, who will provide advice and guidance.

All concerns will be taken seriously. The officer receiving the concern must inform the relevant designated officer. The designated officer will log the concern using the Safeguarding Incident Report Form and liaise with the lead or deputy safeguarding officer to determine next steps.

Forms of Abuse
We recognise that abuse can present in many forms, and safeguarding practice must reflect the range of risks individuals may face. Abuse includes, but is not limited to:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Neglect or acts of omission
• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Domestic abuse
• Sexual exploitation
• Grooming
• Online abuse
• Trafficking
• Modern slavery
• Faith-based or spiritual abuse

Everyone involved with the Pagan Federation must be alert to these risks and act promptly and appropriately when concerns arise.

Safeguarding at Pagan Federation Events
Any event organised under the Pagan Federation’s name—including public rituals, festivals, conferences, and commercial activities—must be:

• Properly risk-assessed and insured
• Staffed by trained volunteers and officers
• Supported by a named Pagan Federation safeguarding lead

The designated safeguarding lead at such events must be either a District Manager, Trustee, or a trained and authorised delegate.

Events bearing the Pagan Federation name must not include any belief-based practices that involve nudity, in line with safeguarding expectations for faith-based charities.

Our officers are expected to use professional judgement and awareness during all events—both our own and those hosted externally—and to report concerns following the procedures in this policy.

Event and Outreach Responsibilities

Outreach Work

• Outreach visits should, wherever possible, be carried out in pairs.
• Officers must remain alert to potential risks and escalate concerns accordingly.

Online Spaces

• Moderators of official Pagan Federation online platforms must uphold our Code of Conduct and refer to our social media Policy.
• Safeguarding issues arising online (e.g. grooming or harassment) must be reported.

Chaplaincy

• Chaplains must follow the safeguarding protocols of their host institution (e.g. NHS, HMP, universities).
• Concerns must also be reported to the Chaplaincy Officer and Managing Chaplain.

Whistleblowing
If the safeguarding concern involves any person who is currently or has previously held a role within the Pagan Federation, the Police and/or LADO will be consulted as necessary.

The General Secretary will keep a formal record of the concern or complaint in line with their role of coordinating disciplinary procedures. This record will include details, contact information, actions taken, and responses given.

At least two officers should be involved in decisions regarding disciplinary procedures, this ensures transparency especially when the decisions is for no further action is taken or the complaint is dismissed.

If the subject of a complaint is a designated safeguarding officer or a member of the leadership team, or if the reporter feels unable to raise the concern with the named contacts, the matter should be escalated to the President, Vice-President, General Secretary, or another Trustee.

Failure to report a safeguarding concern or to follow these procedures may be treated as a disciplinary matter.

Initial Reporting Responsibilities
Any officer or volunteer with a safeguarding concern must:

• Complete a Safeguarding Incident Report Form
• Report the concern to the appropriate designated person:

Context	Report To
Pagan Federation event	Responsible Officer at the event
Non-Federation event	Safeguarding Officer
Outreach work	District Manager
Online concerns	Communications Officer
Chaplaincy settings	Managing Chaplain and Chaplaincy Officer
General concern	Lead or Deputy Safeguarding Officer

Concerns raised by the public or external bodies must be passed on to a designated safeguarding lead. Failure to report a safeguarding concern or to follow these procedures may be treated as a disciplinary matter.

Handling Concerns
Once a concern is raised:

• The designated officer logs the concern and informs the Lead or Deputy Safeguarding Officer
• The Lead Officer reviews the concern and determines next steps, including referrals

Records must include:

• Date and time
• Nature and details of the concern
• Name and contact of reporter
• Actions taken, decisions made, communications issued

Possible Outcomes and Next Steps
Following review, appropriate actions may include:

• Investigation under the Pagan Federation’s Disciplinary Procedure
• Prohibiting an individual from volunteering at or attending Pagan Federation events
• Notifying organisers of non-Federation events
• Referral to the Police
• Referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Adult Social Care Services
• Alerting other statutory agencies (e.g. Probation Service, MAPPA)

Wherever possible, the individual being referred will be informed, unless this would increase risk of harm.

Individuals who feel a concern has not been properly addressed may escalate it to the Lead Safeguarding Officer, and then to the President if needed. 

Serious safeguarding issues will be subject to independent scrutiny to promote accountability.

Safeguarding Training Requirements

Safeguarding Awareness Training
Mandatory for all officers and volunteers. Delivered via:

• In-person sessions
• Online via approved providers
• Internal briefings with written confirmation of understanding

Includes:

• Definitions and indicators of abuse
• Safeguarding in Pagan and interfaith contexts
• Responding to disclosures
• Relevant legislation and responsibilities
• Awareness of spiritual abuse, racism, slavery, forced marriage, extremism

New appointees receive safeguarding induction from their line manager.

Enhanced Safeguarding Training Required for those in designated safeguarding roles (e.g. Safeguarding Officers, Chaplains, District Managers). Covers:

• Complex and cumulative harm
• Professional boundaries
• Safe touch and communication
• Safe working practices during rituals and pastoral care
• External reporting responsibilities

Refresher training is required every two years or as mandated by external organisations.

Safer Recruitment Practices
The Pagan Federation follows safe recruitment practices aligned with Charity Commission, DBS, and statutory safeguarding guidance.

Key Principles

• No appointment made without appropriate checks
• Individuals barred from working with vulnerable groups will not be considered

Screening and Vetting

• Enhanced DBS checks where legally required
• References from relevant prior roles
• Referees asked about safeguarding and suitability
• Disclosure of convictions per Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order)

Exclusions Individuals with:

• Sexual offences against minors
• Violent offences against others

…will be barred from public-facing or vulnerable-group roles.

Other offences will be risk-assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Ongoing Monitoring

• Safeguarding declarations renewed every two years
• Individuals must notify their line manager if subject to safeguarding investigation or prosecution

Joan Ball
July 2025

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