Anti-Harassment Statement

SPN is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone who works with, volunteers with, uses, visits or supports our organisation. This includes staff, volunteers, service users, families, contractors, suppliers, visitors and members of the public.

 

We do not tolerate harassment, bullying, victimisation, discrimination or any other inappropriate behaviour in any part of our organisation, whether it takes place in person, online, by phone, in writing, at events, during play sessions or in any other context connected with SPN.

 

Harassment includes unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. This can include sexual harassment, unwanted sexual advances, offensive comments or jokes, abusive or threatening behaviour, unwanted physical contact, exclusion, malicious gossip, offensive messages or behaviour linked to a protected characteristic.

 

Bullying includes offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, or an abuse or misuse of power, which is intended to or has the effect of undermining, humiliating, belittling or distressing another person. Bullying can be obvious or less obvious and may include verbal abuse, shouting, threats, exclusion, spreading rumours, repeatedly undermining someone, cyberbullying or using online platforms to intimidate, embarrass or harm others.

 

Victimisation means treating someone unfairly because they have raised a concern, made a complaint, supported someone else’s complaint or are believed to have done so. SPN will not tolerate victimisation and will treat all concerns seriously.

 

We also recognise that harassment may come from third parties, including service users, families, contractors, suppliers, visitors or members of the public. SPN will take all reasonable steps to prevent third-party harassment and will take appropriate action where concerns are reported. This may include challenging behaviour, asking someone to leave a session or event, refusing future attendance, raising concerns with another organisation, ending a supplier or contractor relationship, or reporting criminal behaviour to the police.

 

Anyone who experiences or witnesses behaviour that conflicts with this statement is encouraged to report it promptly. Concerns can be raised by emailing admin@smartplaynetwork.org or by contacting SPN by phone. All concerns will be taken seriously, handled sensitively and treated confidentially as far as possible. SPN will respond appropriately to protect the safety, dignity and wellbeing of everyone involved.