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Transparency

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Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team

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At the Cheltenham Guardians Safeguarding Team (CGST), we are committed to operating with the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity. We strive to build trust with our community, supporters and stakeholders in Cheltenham by openly sharing information about our governance, finances and safeguarding practices. This page outlines how we manage our operations to deliver our mission of protecting women and girls in Cheltenham’s night-time economy while ensuring public benefit.

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Our Commitment to Transparency

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We believe that transparency is essential to maintaining public confidence and fulfilling our charitable purposes of preventing harm, promoting community safety and advancing well-being. By making key information accessible, we demonstrate our dedication to:

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  • Protecting vulnerable women and girls through robust safeguarding measures.

  • Using resources responsibly to maximize impact in Cheltenham.

  • Engaging openly with our community, partners and regulators.

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Governance

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CGST is governed by a Management Executive who oversee our strategic direction, ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and uphold our safeguarding commitments. If our application to become a registered charity is successful the management will transition to a Board of Trustees. Our Executive are:

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The Management Executive is supported by non-front-line volunteers and a Sub-Executive Group of front-line volunteers.

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Our governing document, which outlines our structure, charitable purposes, and operational rules, is available on request. Going forward we will maintain a minimum of three unrelated trustees to ensure independent decision-making, and all trustees will complete a Declaration of Eligibility as required by the Charity Commission.

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Key Policies

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We maintain comprehensive policies, which are regularly reviewed and available on request:

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  • Safeguarding Policy: Details our commitment to protecting women and girls, including DBS checks, mandatory training, and incident reporting procedures.

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  • Code of Conduct: Sets standards for behavior for all staff, volunteers and trustees.

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  • Whistleblowing Policy: Encourages reporting of concerns with protections for whistleblowers.

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  • Conflict of Interest Policy: Ensures impartial decision-making by managing conflicts.

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  • Data Protection Policy: Complies with GDPR for secure handling of personal data.

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  • Complaints Procedure: Outlines how we address concerns promptly and fairly.

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These policies are implemented across our operations, with training provided to all team members.

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To request a copy of a specific policy please email contact@cheltenhamguardians.org.

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Financial Transparency

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CGST is funded through a combination of grants, public donations, and partnerships with local stakeholders. In 2024, our income was less than £5000, primarily from individual contributions. These funds supported:

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  • India Protocol patrols and Nightcare Hub operations.

  • Staff and volunteer training, including safeguarding and first aid.

  • Community outreach and awareness campaigns.

  • Administrative costs to ensure efficient operations.

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Since our inception we have saved over £1.8 million in costs for emergency services, the NHS and the criminal justice system by preventing harm and reducing demand. Once registered as a charity, we will publish annual accounts and reports in line with Charity Commission requirements. We adhere to strict financial controls, as outlined in our Finance Policy, to ensure every pound is used effectively.

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Safeguarding and Partnerships

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As a specialist female safeguarding service, protecting vulnerable women and girls is at the heart of our work. All staff and volunteers undergo DBS checks and complete mandatory safeguarding training. Our India Protocol and Nightcare Hub, located at 1 Royal Crescent, Cheltenham, GL50 3DA, provide proactive and reactive support every Saturday night and Sunday morning from 10pm to 4am. We work closely with:

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  • Cheltenham Borough Council

  • Gloucestershire Constabulary​

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Complaints and Feedback

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We welcome feedback to improve our services and address concerns promptly. To raise a complaint, contact our Complaints Officer at complaints@cheltenhamguardians.org. We aim to respond within 10 working days, following our Complaints Procedure. For safeguarding concerns, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead directly at safeguarding@cheltenhamguardians.org.

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Our Application for Charitable Status

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CGST is applying to become a registered charity to strengthen our ability to deliver public benefit. This process involves submitting our governing document, financial records, and policies to the Charity Commission, demonstrating our commitment to transparency and governance. We invite the Commission and our community to explore this website for details on our mission, impact and operations.

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Contact Us

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For questions, feedback, or to support our work:

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