Our Commitment #
The Land Collective is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive mentoring environment. Everyone involved in this programme, mentors, mentees, and our team has a shared responsibility to uphold this.
Your responsibilities #
All mentors and mentees are expected to:
-
Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
-
Communicate in a way that is respectful, transparent, and appropriate.
-
Avoid private or unmonitored contact outside the mentoring relationship.
-
Report anything that causes concern, no matter how small it may seem.
These expectations apply to both in-person and virtual interactions.
Communication guidance #
To keep everyone safe and transparent:
-
All communication should take place through professional channels such as email, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet.
-
Do not use personal phone numbers or social media to communicate.
-
Do not record or screenshot meetings unless both parties consent.
Recognising a concern #
A safeguarding concern could be:
-
A mentee disclosing something that suggests they are at risk of harm.
-
A mentor or mentee behaving in a way that feels inappropriate or uncomfortable.
-
Communication that crosses professional boundaries.
-
Signs of distress, sudden withdrawal, or a change in behaviour that causes concern.
You do not need to investigate, simply note what you’ve seen or heard and report it as soon as possible.
How to report a concern #
If you have a safeguarding concern:
-
Contact The Land Collective Safeguarding Lead immediately:
-
Lead: Sarah Hayford
-
If for whatever reason, you do not feel comfortable raising it with Sarah, contact Edward Dixon, Chair of the Advisory Board, at **@***************ve.com.
-
In an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
When reporting, include:
-
What happened and when.
-
Who was involved.
-
Any action already taken (if any).
How we handle concerns #
Once a concern is reported:
-
The Safeguarding Lead will record the incident securely and determine the next steps.
-
If needed, we’ll contact the relevant organisation (e.g., university, employer, or local authority).
-
We’ll keep you informed of actions taken where appropriate, and all reports will be treated confidentially.
You’ll never be penalised for raising a concern in good faith.
Creating a safe environment #
To help maintain a safe and respectful mentoring space:
-
Hold meetings in open, professional settings (online or in public locations).
-
Avoid being alone in private or informal environments.
-
Treat all information shared in confidence unless someone’s safety is at risk.
-
Always act with integrity and respect towards others.
