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Safeguarding statement for the year ending 31 March 2025

Introduction

The Royal Society (‘the Society’) is committed to protecting from harm all people who benefit from the work of the Society including staff, volunteers, beneficiaries and other people who come into contact with the Society through its work.

Our organisation

The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, commonly known as the Royal Society, was founded in 1660 and incorporated by Royal Charter, and is a registered charity in England and Wales. The Society has two wholly owned subsidiaries, Royal Society Trading Limited and Royal Society (London) Ltd. Royal Society Trading Limited was dormant throughout the year ended 31 March 2025.

The Society is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering, and medicine. Fellows and Foreign Members from across the globe are elected based on the excellence of their science. The Society’s fundamental purpose, as it has been since its foundation, is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. The Society’s strategic priorities emphasise its commitment to the highest quality science, to curiosity-driven research, and to the development and use of science for the benefit of society.

As a national academy, the Society represents the UK and collaborates with international partners to advocate for science and its benefits. It provides authoritative and independent advice on matters of science that support the public good, including policies that promote excellent science and scientific issues that inform public policy. It also organises scientific conferences and public events, and publishes scientific journals.

Our commitment

The Royal Society is committed to protecting from harm everyone who comes into contact with it and recognises that the welfare of all children and adults at risk is of paramount importance. It has a duty of care to ensure that everyone has equal rights of protection and will do everything it can to provide a safe and caring culture and enjoyable environment whilst they attend all of its activities and services both in the UK and internationally. 

The Royal Society achieves this by:

  • having a Council and senior management committed to safeguarding;
  • being clear about peoples’ responsibilities and accountability;
  • maintaining a culture of listening to all personnel, children and adults at risk;
  • undertaking safe recruitment practices for all personnel, especially those working directly with children and adults at risk;
  • having procedures for safeguarding children and adults at risk and dealing with allegations against, and concerns about, any personnel;
  • making sure all personnel have mandatory induction and further safeguarding training, supervision, reviews and support as appropriate to their job role; and
  • having safeguarding agreements about working with other partners, organisations and agencies.

Our safeguarding policy applies to all staff, paid staff, volunteers, agency staff, contractors, and anyone working on behalf of the Royal Society or involved in the delivery of the Royal Society’s events, activities and programmes.

The Royal Society ensures and emphasises that all external members of the public understand and know how to share any concerns immediately with the relevant Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSO) and Director of Safeguarding. To report a safeguarding concern please email the Royal Society’s DSO and Director of Safeguarding via safeguarding@royalsociety.org.

The full Adult and Child Safeguarding policy is available to download (PDF).

Policies

The Society has reviewed its safeguarding policy in the year to ensure it meets all requirements and reflects best practice guidance.

There are a number of other relevant policies that govern the work of the Society, its trustees, staff and volunteers including:

  • Whistleblowing policy which encourages staff to report concerns; and
  • HR procedures which covers procedures from recruitment processes to anti-bullying policies.

All of the Society’s policies have a relevant policy owner assigned and are formally reviewed at least every three years. Changes in the landscape are continually monitored and policies are continually reviewed in this regard to ensure they remain effective and appropriate.

Training

The Society has appointed Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs) and team Safeguarding Champions, and relevant members of staff attend regular, relevant training sessions which include updates on regulatory requirements and provide examples of best practice. The Society’s safeguarding policy is available to all members of staff and volunteers employed by the Royal Society or engaged in Royal Society business.

All new joiners attend an induction session which includes information and training on relevant policies, which include measures to minimise the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking where appropriate. 

Approval

This statement has been formally approved by the Council members of the Society and signed on their behalf by Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society.