Our commitment
Branches of Safety intends to be accessible and respectful to people across protected characteristics, family structures, income levels and backgrounds. Discrimination, harassment, victimisation and degrading treatment will not be accepted from workers, volunteers, partners or participants.
Accessibility by design
- Use plain English, short sections and clear explanations of unfamiliar terms
- Offer information in alternative formats where reasonably possible
- Provide extra processing time, breaks, written follow-up and agenda information
- Allow a supporter or advocate where safe, appropriate and authorised
- Use captions or transcripts for recorded material and accessible digital structure
- Ask what helps rather than requiring people to disclose more diagnosis or history than is necessary
- Review physical, sensory, cognitive, communication, financial and digital barriers
Reasonable adjustments
Requests will be considered promptly and individually. A request does not need to use legal language. We will discuss what barrier exists, what would help and whether an effective alternative is available. Agreed adjustments and reasons for any refusal will be recorded.
Neurodivergence and mental health
Different communication, memory, processing, organisation or emotional presentation must not automatically be treated as lack of care, honesty or willingness. Equally, a diagnosis does not remove responsibility for safety. Support should make expectations more understandable and achievable while keeping risks clear.
Inclusive safeguarding
Bias and stereotyping can hide harm as well as create unfair assumptions. Safeguarding decisions will consider identity, culture, disability and power without excusing abuse or treating difference itself as danger.
Monitoring and challenge
Future governance should review who can access the service, who drops out, adjustment requests, complaints and feedback. People must be able to raise an equality concern without retaliation.
Guidance informing this draft
EHRC disability-discrimination guidance and its explanation of the anticipatory duty on service providers.