The Emergency Response Team Search and Rescue UK

OPEN INFORMATION POLICY

(OCT 2021)

POLICY STATEMENT

The ERT SAR UK trustees are committed to openness and wish to show leadership in public accountability through timely and transparent reporting. Trustees will disclose information or give reasons for any decision not to disclose primarily in light of the impact on the ERT SAR UK’s mission of raising money from the public.

The ERT SAR UK is primarily accountable to the donors who generously respond to the national appeals at times of major crisis overseas, while its members are accountable to the survivors and their families who will benefit from the appeal. The ERT SAR UK will also remain responsive to the information needs of the various stakeholders, especially the broadcasters, who make the appeals cost effective and the members agencies through whom the appeal fund is spent.

The ERT SAR UK open information policy is in support of the ERT SAR UK’s efforts to promote trust and ensure learning across the Secretariat and the Member Agencies through timely and transparent reporting. It will be supported by the accountability framework which was introduced in 2008 which will enable a regular report on performance of the Secretariat and the member agencies.

GUIDING PRACTICE

• The ERT SAR UK will report to the public primarily through its annual report which will be signed off by the chair and treasurer. This will summarise ERT SAR UK activities and performance, drawing on reports from members, field missions, desk studies, lesson learning events and continuous performance monitoring undertaken by the secretariat.

• The ERT SAR UK will maintain an up to date website which will include the most recent  annual report, and relevant policy statements on is strategic direction and mandate.

• Responding to donor queries and complaints will be prioritised and performance will be guided by sector standards enshrined in the Fundraising Standards Board. 

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

These can be made by contacting us here and will be answered within 20 days, unless there is a compelling reason why this is not possible.

Please remember that our offices are managed by part time volunteers so it will usually take some time to process any requested.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

Our approach is that information should be disclosed unless there is a good public policy reason for withholding it or the cost of disclosure would be disproportionate.

Other factors that will influence a decision to publish:

• data protection legislation

• security of staff and beneficiaries

• legal or contractual constraints or where premature publication might jeopardise actions of the ERT SAR UK

• could it hamper immediate or future life saving work.

HISTORIC INFORMATION

This policy addresses information generated since April 2007. While we will make reasonable efforts to deal with request for information, it is more likely we will not disclose historic information.

APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS MECHANISM

You may request a review of any Decision not to publish with the Company Secretary of the ERT SAR UK. If you consider that the ERT SAR UK has acted illegally you may contact the Charity Commission.

FEEDBACK

This policy will evolve as we learn about our stakeholders needs and we would be happy to receive feedback by contacting us