Document Ref: FE-POL-003

1.  Policy Statement

Family Engage UK is absolutely committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and adults at risk. We recognise that children and vulnerable adults have a fundamental right to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation. The welfare of the child or adult at risk is always our paramount consideration.

This policy applies to all employees, sessional workers, volunteers, students on placement and anyone engaged on behalf of Family Engage UK, regardless of role or seniority.

2.  Scope and Definitions

2.1  Children

A child is any person under the age of 18 years. This policy applies to all children in contact with our services, regardless of parental responsibility arrangements.

2.2  Adults at Risk

An adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who has needs for care and support (whether or not those needs are being met) and who is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it (Care Act 2014, s.42).

2.3  Categories of Abuse

We recognise the following categories of abuse as defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and the Care Act 2014:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse and exploitation
• Neglect
• Financial and material abuse (adults at risk)
• Domestic abuse (including coercive control)
• Honour-based violence and forced marriage
• Female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Radicalisation and extremism (Prevent duty)
• Modern slavery and trafficking

3.  Legal and Statutory Framework

This policy is underpinned by and should be read alongside:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
• Care Act 2014
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) — for informational reference
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• The Children and Social Work Act 2017
• Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent)
• Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (mandatory reporting)
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021
• Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Human Rights Act 1998

This policy is also consistent with the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) procedures in areas where we operate.

4.  Roles and Responsibilities

4.1  All Staff

• Attend mandatory safeguarding training within four weeks of commencement and every two years thereafter
• Be alert to signs and indicators of abuse or neglect
• Report concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) without delay
• Not investigate concerns themselves or promise confidentiality to service users
• Record concerns factually, accurately and promptly
• Cooperate fully with statutory investigations

4.2  Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• Lead on all safeguarding matters and act as the single point of contact for referrals
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of local authority procedures and thresholds
• Make referrals to children’s services, adult safeguarding or the police as appropriate
• Maintain secure, confidential records of all safeguarding concerns and actions
• Commission and oversee safer-recruitment processes
• Undertake Level 3 (or equivalent) safeguarding training and refresh every two years

4.3  Senior Management / Directors

• Ensure adequate resources for safeguarding training and DSL capacity
• Receive and act upon any safeguarding audit or review findings
• Ensure this policy is reviewed annually and following any significant incident

5.  Recognising Abuse and Neglect

All staff should be familiar with indicators of harm. These include but are not limited to:

• Unexplained or inconsistently explained injuries
• Significant changes in behaviour, mood or presentation
• Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviour
• Poor hygiene, malnutrition or inappropriate clothing for the weather
• Disclosure (direct or indirect) from a child or adult
• Observations during supervised contact that give cause for concern

During supervised family time sessions, staff must document all relevant observations in the session record as contemporaneously as possible.

6.  Reporting Procedure

If a member of staff has a safeguarding concern:

1. Record the concern factually in writing immediately after it arises — do not delay.
2. Report to the DSL (or Deputy DSL in their absence) without delay, on the same working day.
3. The DSL will assess the information and, where the threshold is met, make a referral to the local authority children’s services or adult safeguarding team within 24 hours.
4. Where a child or adult is believed to be in immediate danger, call 999 first — then inform the DSL.
5. Staff must not discuss the concern with the family or subject of the concern unless the DSL advises it is safe to do so.
6. All referrals are confirmed in writing. The DSL retains copies of all correspondence.

7.  Allegations Against Staff

If an allegation is made against a member of staff, volunteer or anyone working on behalf of Family Engage UK:

• The concern must be reported immediately to the Director (or, where the Director is the subject, to the DSL or external safeguarding authority).
• The matter will be referred without delay to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
• Internal investigation will not be conducted in a way that could prejudice any statutory investigation.
• Suspension pending investigation will be considered where necessary to protect service users.

8.  Safer Recruitment

Family Engage UK operates robust safer-recruitment procedures including:

• Enhanced DBS disclosure with children’s and/or adults’ barred list check for all staff and regular volunteers
• Verification of identity, right to work in the UK and professional qualifications
• Minimum of two employment references, including from the most recent employer
• Safeguarding screening questions at interview stage
• Induction safeguarding training before unsupervised work with service users

9.  Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding concerns are handled on a need-to-know basis. However, confidentiality is never a barrier to making a referral where a child or adult at risk may be in danger. We will share information with statutory agencies without consent where there is an overriding safeguarding justification. All information sharing is documented and reviewed in line with our Privacy Policy (FE-POL-001).

10.  Record Keeping

All safeguarding records are:

• Held securely, separately from general case files
• Accessible only to those who need to know
• Retained in accordance with statutory guidance (see Privacy Policy FE-POL-001 for retention periods)
• Written factually, clearly and without personal judgement

11.  Related Policies

• FE-POL-001Privacy Policy
• FE-POL-004Terms and Conditions
• FE-POL-005Whistleblowing Policy
• FE-POL-006Code of Conduct
• FE-POL-007Lone Working Policy
• FE-POL-008Data Retention Schedule

12.  Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Director and DSL, and following any significant safeguarding incident, changes in legislation or statutory guidance, or LSCP procedural updates. All amendments will be logged and version-controlled.

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