Safeguarding Policy
The Zen Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1172021
Email: serviceszecentre@gmail.com
Introduction
Our guiding principle is that all those participating in Zen Group activities should at all times behave in a manner consistent with the Buddha Dharma. This means showing care and consideration for all.
This policy aims to provide:
- Protection for adults participating in Zen Group activities who may be considered vulnerable.
- Protection for class leaders, temple residents and volunteers working with them.
It sets out:
- Information about the prevention of harm to adults at risk, previously known as vulnerable adults.
- What action to take if harm is suspected.
The Trustees of the Zen Group recognise their responsibility to safeguard adults who may be deemed to be “at risk”.
Our designated Safeguarding contact is: Jeremy Frank.
Adults
An adult is a person who has passed their 18th birthday. Zen group activities are not open to minors. Should a minor have occasion to visit one of our temples they must be accompanied at all times by a responsible parent, guardian or care-giver.
Adults at Risk
An adult at risk is defined as:
“A person aged 18 or over who needs, or may need, community care services because they are frail or have a learning disability, sight or hearing disability or mental health issues and cannot (or may not be able to) care for themselves or take steps to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation.”
Vulnerability
Zen training is a religious practice and not a form of physical or mental therapy. People with mental health or other medical problems participate in our activities on the clear understanding that we are unable to provide specific help for their special needs. We are a religious educational charity with limited resources, established to teach Zen Buddhism.
People who are generally emotionally and psychologically stable in most aspects of their lives may occasionally be vulnerable or at risk.
Anyone reporting or displaying symptoms of physical or mental illness must be advised to seek appropriate professional help. They must not substitute Zen practice for professional medical care.
In cases of serious mental illness it may be necessary to advise the person to suspend their participation until they are deemed well enough to continue by those looking after them, as well as their Zen teacher.
Participation in Zen Group Activities
We welcome all those interested in Zen Buddhism regardless of race, gender, age or sexual orientation.
It is important to ensure that those who participate in our activities are given sufficient preparation and guidance before embarking on more serious training which can involve lengthy periods of sitting meditation.
We offer monthly evening talks, Saturday introduction to meditation and Zen Sundays as well as a more structured introductory course, all of which are open to any interested member of the public.
Participation in our evening sitting meditation classes, day-long and residential weekend and 5-day sesshins (retreats) is by invitation. In order to ensure appropriate guidance for participants, experienced class leaders and members of the ordained sangha offer individual practice talks on a regular basis.
Online Protection
Since the Covid pandemic some of our classes have been held online via Zoom. Some online participants are long-standing members of the group who find it difficult to attend in person for reasons of geography, age or health. Some, however, are new to Zen training and have participated largely or exclusively online.
It is more difficult to recognise signs of mental health problems when interacting with someone online.
In order to ensure appropriate guidance for online participants, experienced class leaders and members of the ordained sangha offer individual practice talks on a regular basis. If any warning signs of mental health problems should be picked up during such talks, the class leader or sangha member should alert our Safeguarding Officer.
Protection for Class leaders, sangha members and volunteers
Our charity functions thanks to the goodwill and hard work of our ordained sangha members, class leaders and volunteers.
Verbal or physical abuse or aggression towards them or indeed towards any fellow group member will not be tolerated and will result in the person responsible being asked to withdraw from the group.
This policy will be reviewed annually and always following a serious incident.
Last updated March 2023