Our policies

Sexual Harassment & Safeguarding Policy

 

Boreham Wood & Elstree Community Radio Ltd (Boreham Wood Radio)

 

Date of issue: 20 October 2026

Policy version: 1.0

Next review date: 19 October 2027

Approved by: Steve Tann (Station Manager) and Bob Redman (Producer)

 

1. Policy Statement & Core Commitment

Boreham Wood & Elstree Community Radio Ltd (“BWR”) enforces a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment, victimisation, and misconduct of any kind. We believe everyone has the right to volunteer, work and take part in our programmes in a safe environment characterised by dignity and mutual respect.

 

BWR is a community radio station run mainly by volunteers. Our commitment extends beyond protecting our own team; we have a duty of care to the guests, contributors, listeners and members of the public we work with, and we maintain an absolute duty of care to protect the children, young people and vulnerable adults who take part in our programmes or whom we meet when visiting schools and youth groups.

 

2. Scope of Policy

This policy applies to everyone who volunteers or works for BWR, including presenters, producers, technical and support volunteers, trainees, directors and committee members, and any employees, contractors or freelancers (collectively referred to as “team members”). It governs conduct:

• In the BWR studio and any other premises we use.

• At outside broadcasts, events and community activities where BWR is represented.

• When visiting or recording at schools, youth groups and other organisations (including classrooms, playgrounds and staffrooms).

• During BWR-related travel, training and social events.

• On air and online, including emails, messaging apps (such as WhatsApp groups) and social media platforms.

It covers how team members treat each other, and how they treat guests, contributors, listeners and members of the public.

 

3. Key Definitions

• Sexual Harassment: Any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.

• Third-Party Harassment: Harassment of our team members by people who are not part of BWR, including guests, contributors, listeners, members of the public, and the staff, parents, governors, visitors or pupils of schools and youth groups we visit.

• Safeguarding Breach / Abuse: Any inappropriate conduct, communication, or physical contact directed by an adult team member toward a child or young person under the age of 18 (or a vulnerable adult).

 

4. Code of Conduct

All team members must strictly adhere to the following rules in the studio, at events, and when visiting schools and youth groups:

1. Professional Boundaries: Maintain strict professional boundaries with children and young people at all times. Never engage in personal, non-work-related conversations, exchange social media handles, or share personal contact information with them. Arrange any contact about programmes through their school, youth group, or parent or carer.

2. Identification: When visiting a school, youth group or event, wear BWR identification and any visitor badge you are given visibly at all times, and sign in and out using the host’s visitor system.

3. Supervision and Restricted Areas: Do not enter restricted areas at schools and youth groups (such as changing rooms or toilets) unless explicitly required by your duties and accompanied or authorised by their staff. Children and young people visiting the BWR studio must be accompanied by a teacher, youth leader, or parent or carer, and team members should avoid being alone with a child.

4. Reporting Concerns: If a team member witnesses or experiences inappropriate behaviour by anyone, including another team member, a guest, or staff or pupils at a school or youth group, they must report it immediately using the procedures below rather than attempting to resolve it directly.

 

5. Reporting Procedures

We provide multiple reporting channels so that affected individuals can report incidents safely and confidentially.

 

BWR’s Designated Safeguarding Lead: Steve Tann, stevetann66@gmail.com

Deputy (if the Designated Safeguarding Lead is unavailable or involved): Bob Redman, bobredman@btinternet.com

 

A. If a Team Member Experiences Harassment by Another Team Member or a Third Party

• Informal Route: If comfortable doing so, the team member may resolve the issue informally by communicating to the individual that their behaviour is unwelcome. Alternatively, they can seek advice from the Station Manager, the Producer or the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

• Formal Route: The team member should submit a formal written complaint to Steve Tann at stevetann66@gmail.com.

• Note on Schools and Partner Organisations: If the alleged harasser works for, or is a pupil or member of, a school, youth group or other organisation, BWR will immediately notify that organisation (for a school, the Headteacher or Senior Leadership Team) to coordinate a joint response.

 

B. If an Allegation Involves a Child or Vulnerable Adult (Safeguarding Event)

• Immediate Danger: If a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

• Immediate Escalation: If a team member is accused of harassing or acting inappropriately toward a child or vulnerable adult, or if a team member witnesses such behaviour by a colleague, it must be reported immediately to BWR’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and a BWR director. If it happened at a school or youth group, it must also be reported to that organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

• LADO Referral: In line with statutory safeguarding guidance, allegations involving the safety of children will be referred to the local authority’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 24 hours. Hertfordshire’s LADO can be contacted on 01992 555420. More information: thegrid.org.uk/safeguarding-and-child-protection

 

6. Investigation & Action Process

Upon receiving a formal complaint:

1. Interim Measures: BWR may temporarily stand the accused team member down from presenting, volunteering or visiting schools and youth groups, or change their duties, to ensure safety while the investigation is ongoing. Any paid staff may be suspended on full pay. This is a precaution, not a judgement.

2. Impartial Investigation: An independent investigator, who is not involved in the complaint, will be appointed to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and compile a report promptly and confidentially.

3. Disciplinary Action: If the investigation concludes that sexual harassment or a safeguarding breach occurred, severe disciplinary action will follow, up to and including permanent removal from BWR (or, for paid staff, dismissal for gross misconduct without notice).

4. Referral to Authorities: If a criminal offence is suspected, BWR will immediately involve the Police.

 

7. Protection Against Retaliation (No Reprisal Clause)

No team member will suffer victimisation, retaliation, or disciplinary action for raising a complaint in good faith or participating as a witness in a harassment investigation. Any retaliation by other team members will be treated as a severe disciplinary matter.

 

8. Training & Compliance Review

• Induction: Everyone joining BWR will be given a copy of this policy and told who to contact with a concern.

• Mandatory Training: Team members who visit schools or youth groups, or who work with children and young people, must complete anti-sexual harassment and basic safeguarding training before they do so, and at regular intervals.

• Risk Assessments: BWR will complete a risk assessment before each school or youth group visit, and for outside broadcasts and events, to identify and reduce the risk of harassment or harmful interactions.

• Review: This policy will be reviewed every 12 months by BWR’s directors and volunteer representatives to ensure compliance with changes in the law.