Company Policies

Our Commitment as a Community Interest Company & Our Expectations of You

​

Purpose and Scope:

​

This document outlines our mutual expectations for collaboration and how we treat one another, grounded in the key principles of  Kindness Compassion and Empathy, Respect for the Natural Environment, Honesty Integrity and trust, Responsible and accountable for our actions. 

​

All delivered by clear and concise communications.

​

The principles and expectations apply to everyone involved in our services and support, including veterans, active personnel, family members or loved ones. This also includes current or former service users who volunteer with the CIC, such as NEDS, Ambassadors or Trainers.

All colleagues providing services and support should be well-acquainted with this document to promote consistency and quality in line with these principles and expectations. This applies to face-to-face interactions, digital communications, social media usage, and all environments where Secure Forests CIC operates.

​

We promise to:

​

• Extend a warm and professional welcome to our services, training and support.
• Offer information, advice, and guidance that is easily accessible.
• Respond to your inquiries promptly and helpfully.
• Deliver quality services and support that facilitate your progress towards the life you aspire to lead.
• Concentrate on the changes you wish to make to enhance your safety, security, and overall well-being.
• Provide support if you share information about your identity, disabilities, or neurodivergent needs that influence your preferred learning or communication styles.
• Collaborate with you in a non-judgmental atmosphere, free from discrimination, promoting a sense of inclusion and openness, allowing you to be your true self.
• Honour your personal beliefs, identity, and cultural practices. We are dedicated to equality, diversity, and inclusion, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity.
• Offer opportunities for you to share your views and participate in the development of our Training, projects, services and support.
• Handle your personal information according to the guidelines and best practices outlined in the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Safeguarding requirements. (For detailed information on confidentiality and data protection procedures, please refer to the Help for Heroes privacy policy.)  

 

To ensure that we develop the Secure Forests business plan and financial strategies to ensure that all funds benefit veterans and former blue light services, and their families.

​​

​

We ask that you:

​

• To be the best person you can be.
• Engage respectfully with the CIC colleagues, fellow beneficiaries, and volunteers during face-to-face, phone, or digital interactions.
• Follow established protocols when communicating via our social media platforms, such as the WhatsApp groups etc.
• Respect the rights, beliefs, life choices, and opinions of others.
• Inform us promptly about any withdrawal from the CIC’s Training activities, courses, services, or support, or if you need to reschedule.
• Avoid behaviours that may be deemed threatening, disruptive, bullying, or harassing, and that could cause physical or emotional harm to others, including fellow beneficiaries, charity colleagues, or volunteers.
• Refrain from excessive alcohol there is a zero tolerance on the use of illegal substances due to the nature of the training and activities. Instances of excessive use or intoxication may lead to withdrawal from training immediately, or from the volunteer role if repeated, as we have a responsibility to ensure your well-being and that of others.
• Provide relevant information to assist us in supporting you effectively.
• Notify us as soon as possible if your circumstances or needs change, so we can respond accordingly.
• Actively engage in your progress to the best of your ability, with our full support as long as you need it.
• Participate constructively in focus groups, training and forums, aligned with our CICs Core values. These will be published to you on competition of Induction and onboarding procedures.
• If volunteering in service delivery, use CIC IT equipment and software solely for their intended purposes and avoid inappropriate activities.

​

Actions if either we or you fall short:

 

All CIC’s and Companies are responsible for fostering an inclusive culture that does not tolerate inappropriate, discriminatory, offensive, or harmful behaviour toward anyone associated with the organisation. Everyone who interacts with Secure Forests should be treated with dignity and respect and feel safe and supported.

​

1. Making a complaint

​

We see feedback as an opportunity for growth and improvement, as well as a means of addressing any issues you may have encountered. We are committed to providing high-quality Training and support to all who access our services or work with us. You have the right to share your feedback, raise concerns, or file a complaint regarding any services utilized, interactions with the charity, or our policies and procedures.

​

  2. How we will manage your complaint

​

Whether you provide feedback or submit a formal complaint, we will adhere to our Complaints process. All complaints will be treated with strict confidentiality in accordance with our Data Protection and Privacy Policies. We will ensure that information is only disclosed to individuals with a legitimate need for access.

​

  3. How we will manage concerns about your conduct

​

While our emphasis will always be on prevention through clear expectations, if a breach or potential breach is identified, our primary focus will be on:

​

• Preventing harm and reducing risk to you and others.
• Understanding the behaviour(s) so we can respond effectively.
• Taking a balanced view, considering our duty of care and responsibilities toward beneficiaries, colleagues, and everyone interacting with the charity.

​

We will:

• Evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis (considering severity, impact on others, and context) while broadly following principles that underpin our approach to safeguarding: empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability.
• Aim to provide fairness in our approach to employees, including the right to be heard, representation, mitigation, and clarity regarding the nature of the breach.
• Communicate our concerns with you promptly and clearly.
• Seek to resolve the issue informally with you first.
• Proceed to more formal actions if necessary, guided by our governance responsibilities, including safeguarding.
• Clearly explain the steps we will take and address any questions you may have.
• Keep you updated throughout the process.
• Communicate the outcome to you and clarify its implications.

​

​

By: Richard Pyshorn FRGS Director Secure Forests CIC

Dated: 14 January 2025

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​