Iguality’s response, risk review and possible outcomes

This subject can be found in the: Violence Aggression & Safety Policy
Last updated: October 9, 2026 at 11:18

The incident will be managed through Iguality's Safeguarding Protocol.

The responsible Safeguarding Lead will assess the situation, involve other relevant team members where necessary and determine an appropriate response.

The assessment should consider, where relevant:

  • the seriousness of the behaviour;
  • whether physical violence occurred;
  • whether a weapon or dangerous object was involved;
  • the nature and credibility of any threats;
  • whether there is an ongoing risk to the volunteer or others;
  • whether there have been previous incidents or warning signs;
  • whether the person may contact the volunteer outside Iguality activities;
  • the circumstances surrounding the incident;
  • whether additional professional or external support may be required;
  • whether Iguality can reasonably reduce the identified risk;
  • the volunteer's own assessment of their safety;
  • risks to other beneficiaries, volunteers or staff;
  • whether continuing the service remains within Iguality's capacity and scope.

Relevant context, including acute emotional distress or other vulnerabilities, may be taken into account.

Understanding why an incident occurred does not mean ignoring its impact or requiring a volunteer to accept further risk.

Possible outcomes

There is no automatic one-size-fits-all response.

Depending on the circumstances, Iguality may decide to:

  • continue the activity with clarified expectations and boundaries;
  • develop an individual safety plan;
  • issue a clear behavioural warning;
  • agree a written conduct or behavioural agreement;
  • change the location of future sessions;
  • move from isolated to more controlled or public settings;
  • change the time or format of sessions;
  • require another volunteer, staff member or professional to be present;
  • transfer the person to a different volunteer or professional;
  • change the form of support being offered;
  • temporarily suspend participation;
  • refer the beneficiary to another organisation or specialised service;
  • discontinue a particular Iguality service;
  • involve emergency, medical, safeguarding or other external services where appropriate;
  • take other proportionate measures necessary to protect those involved.

Where violence or aggression indicates that Iguality cannot safely provide the required level of support, referral to a more appropriate service should be considered.

The volunteer's role in deciding what happens next

A volunteer who has experienced threatening or violent behaviour should be consulted before any decision is made about their own future contact with the person involved.

A volunteer may say that they do not feel safe continuing to work directly with that person.

They should not be pressured to resume the relationship simply because:

  • the beneficiary apologised;
  • the incident has been discussed;
  • safety measures have been introduced;
  • the beneficiary would prefer to continue with the same volunteer.

Iguality may decide that the beneficiary can continue receiving another form of support while at the same time deciding that direct contact with the affected volunteer should end.

Protecting the volunteer and supporting the beneficiary are not mutually exclusive.