Safe Guarding
When something goes wrong
We would always hope that any disagreements could be settled amicably between the individuals involved. However, we accept that at times this may not be possible and help may be needed to resolve the situation.
If anyone has behaved in a way that makes you feel they have breached our values and expected behaviours, please firstly try to talk to the person involved and resolve it if you can.
If you need to escalate your concerns, please follow the table below and contact the relevant person:
| Concern about the behaviour of a group volunteer, participant or staff | Concern about the behaviour of a County or Regional Representative | Concern about the behaviour of a Board, National Office or National Representative |
| • Telephone or write with concerns to the Group Chair | • Telephone or write with concerns to the Regional Chair | • Telephone or write with concerns to the Director of Operations at RDA National Office |
| • If not resolved, or the matter relates to the Group Chair, escalate in writing to the County/Regional Chair | • If not resolved, or the matter relates to the Regional Chair, escalate in writing to the Director of Operations at RDA National Office | • If not resolved, or the matter relates to the Director of Operations, escalate in writing to the RDA CEO at RDA National Office |
| Should a complainant wish to appeal the outcome of their escalated complaint they may do so as follows: | ||
| • If not resolved, appeal in writing to the Director of Operations at RDA National Office | • If not resolved appeal in writing to the RDA CEO at RDA National Office | • If not resolved, or the matter relates to the CEO, the matter will be investigated by the RDA UK Chair and Board |
If you do not know who the relevant person is to speak to, or do not have their contact details, please contact National Office on 01926 492915 and one of the team will be able to provide you with details.
When a concern has been received in writing (via email or by post), you can expect to receive a confirmation of receipt within two working days, outlining what will happen with timescales.
You will receive a full written response, which will hopefully resolve the situation but if not, the response will include details on how to escalate the matter further.
Complainants have the chance to appeal a decision once and this will be to the next level of RDA UK. Appeals must be made within 30 days from receiving the written outcome of the initial escalated complaint, outlining the premise of the appeal.
In the spirit of openness and transparency, anonymous concerns will not be acted upon.
June 2019 (reviewed 2023)