Introduction

SCN is dedicated to embedding practices throughout our organisation that protect children and vulnerable adults. Our commitment extends to all staff, associated personnel, and the design and implementation of SCN’s programmes and activities. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and exploitation.

 

What is Safeguarding?

In the UK, safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. This includes protecting individuals, especially children and at-risk adults, from harm that arises from interactions with our staff or programmes.

 

Safeguarding Children

SCN is committed to safeguarding all individuals under the age of 18, defined as children, from harm or abuse. Abuse can take many forms and includes, but is not limited to:

• Physical Abuse: Hitting, shaking, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating, poisoning, fabricated or induced illness.
• Sexual Abuse: Contact and non-contact abuse, including grooming, exploitation, persuading children to perform sexual acts online, and producing sexual images.
• Emotional Abuse (sometimes known as Psychological Abuse): Humiliation, constant criticism, threats, scapegoating, controlling behaviour, exposure to distressing events, or persistent ignoring.
• Neglect: Failing to provide adequate food, shelter, supervision, medical care, and exposure to unsafe environments.
• Domestic Abuse: Witnessing or being affected by domestic violence within the household.
• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE): Manipulating or coercing children into sexual activities, often in exchange for something.
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
• Child Trafficking: Recruitment, transportation, or exploitation of children.
• Grooming: Building emotional connections to exploit children sexually.
• Online Abuse: Grooming, exploitation, and exposure to harmful content via the internet.
• Radicalisation: Influence towards extremist ideologies.
  

 

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

Adult abuse involves actions causing harm or distress within a relationship of trust. 

A ‘vulnerable adult’ is any person aged 18 or over who, due to mental or physical disability, age, illness, or circumstances, may be unable to protect themselves from harm, abuse, or exploitation. This definition aligns with the Care Act 2014 and encompasses individuals who:

• Are elderly and frail.
• Have a mental illness, including dementia.
• Have a physical or sensory disability.
• Have a learning disability.
• Experience severe physical illness.
• Are affected by substance misuse.
• Are homeless.

 

Abuse can take, but is not limited to, the following forms: 

• Physical Abuse: Assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate physical sanctions.
• Sexual Abuse: Rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, subjection to pornography, or sexual acts without consent.
• Emotional or Psychological Abuse:  Threats of harm, intimidation, humiliation, blaming, controlling, harassment, isolation, or unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
• Neglect and Acts of Omission: Ignoring medical, emotional, or physical care needs, failing to provide access to necessary health, care, or support services, or withholding essentials such as medication, nutrition, or heating.
• Domestic Abuse: Psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse, including honour based violence.
• Discriminatory Abuse: Harassment, slurs  or unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
• Financial or Material Abuse: Theft, fraud, coercion concerning an adult’s financial affairs, misuse of property, possessions, or benefits.
• Modern Slavery: Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and domestic servitude.
• Organisational or Institutional Abuse: Poor care practices, lack of personal choice, restrictive routines, or inadequate professional standards within an organisation.
• Self-Neglect: Failing to care for one’s personal hygiene, health, or surroundings, including hoarding or refusing necessary care.
• Radicalisation: Influence towards extremist ideologies.

 

 

Relevant legislation

Vulnerable Adults:

• The Care Act 2014
• The Equality Act 2010
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• The Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

 

Children:

• The Children Act 1989
• The Education Act 2011
• Every Child Matters 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021

 

 

Safeguarding Principles

SCN upholds the right of every individual to be protected from harm and exploitation. We commit to:

• Making sure all staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Designing and implementing programmes and activities that minimise risks.
• Implementing stringent safeguarding procedures during recruitment and management. 
• Promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.

 

Working with Children and Young People

SCN recognises its responsibility to promote safe practices and protect children (under 18) from harm. We commit to:

• Prioritising the welfare of children in all activities.
• Making sure all children, irrespective of their background, have the right to protection from harm and abuse.
• Encouraging children to express their views on matters affecting them.
• Working in partnership with children and their parents/carers to promote their welfare, health, and development.
• Ensuring child protection is everyone’s responsibility

 

We provide safe participation opportunities, respect rights, and train staff to maintain best safeguarding practices.

Staff Training and Support

SCN is committed to ensuring all staff (paid and unpaid) receive comprehensive safeguarding training and continuous support. This includes dedicated resources for induction, regular training, and ongoing professional development to uphold safeguarding standards across all activities.

 

Induction includes:  

• Review and discussion of the Safeguarding Policy to ensure understanding of how to handle safeguarding issues.
• Familiarisation with related organisational policies and safeguarding reporting procedures.
• Clear guidance on identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns.
  
  

 

Ongoing Training and Development:

• All staff are required to complete safeguarding training at least annually to ensure skills and knowledge remain current.
• Additional refresher courses or specialist training sessions are provided as necessary, based on staff roles or emerging safeguarding risks.
• Continuous access to support mechanisms, such as safeguarding leads, for advice and management of safeguarding issues.

 

 

Professional Boundaries

Professional boundaries are what define the limits of a relationship between an employee and a client. They are a set of standards we agree to uphold that allows this necessary and often close relationship to exist, while ensuring the correct boundary is kept in place. 

SCN staff and associated personnel are expected to:

• Avoid engaging in personal relationships with beneficiaries or clients during, or for 12 months after, service delivery.
• Refrain from giving or receiving personal gifts. Organisational gifts as part of planned activities are allowed. Please see SCN’s Conflict of Interest and Anti-Bribery Policy for further details. 
• Maintain appropriate conduct across all professional interactions.

 

 

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

All safeguarding concerns or complaints must be reported to SCN’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) via email at reporting@thesocialchangenest.org. 

 

SCN commits to acknowledging receipt of concerns within 24 hours and taking appropriate action. All safeguarding concerns, whether arising from SCN activities, external complaints, or whistleblowing, will be treated with urgency and handled in line with SCN’s safeguarding procedures.

 

Anyone reporting concerns or complaints will be protected by SCN’s Whistleblowing Policy, ensuring confidentiality and safeguarding against retaliation. Reports can also be made anonymously if necessary.

 

For urgent safeguarding concerns:

• Call 999 if there is immediate danger.
• Call 101 for non-urgent police assistance.
• Report directly to local social services if the concern relates to potential abuse or exploitation.

 

All staff must escalate concerns of harm, abuse, exploitation, neglect, or policy non-compliance to the DSL immediately.

 

In case of immediate danger, call 999 first, and then report to SCN.

 

 

SCN’s Process for Handling Safeguarding Concerns

Upon receiving a safeguarding concern, SCN follows a structured process to ensure swift and appropriate action:

• Acknowledgement: SCN will acknowledge receipt of safeguarding concerns within 24 hours.
• Initial Review: The DSL will assess the severity of the concern and determine the next steps.
• Escalation: In cases of immediate danger or serious risk, the DSL will escalate the matter to the relevant statutory authorities (e.g., social services or police). Staff members are supported to report directly to statutory services if necessary.
• Investigation: SCN will initiate internal investigations where required. Any breaches of safeguarding policies will result in disciplinary measures.
• Survivor Support: SCN adopts a survivor-centred approach, ensuring that those affected receive the necessary support, guided by their needs and wishes. Support will be provided irrespective of whether formal action is pursued.

 

 

Responding to a Safeguarding Disclosure

When a safeguarding concern is disclosed by a child, vulnerable adult, or colleague, staff should follow these steps to ensure the matter is handled appropriately:

• Stay Calm and Listen: Allow the individual to share their concern without interruption or judgment.
• Acknowledge Their Courage: Reassure them that raising the issue is the right course of action.
• Be Transparent: Explain that information may need to be shared to protect them. Do not promise to keep secrets. 
• Seek Consent to Share: If possible, obtain consent before escalating the concern. If consent is denied but you believe there is ongoing harm, escalate the matter regardless.
• Ask Clarifying Questions: Only ask questions to clarify details. Avoid leading questions and let the individual dictate the pace.
• Explain Next Steps: Inform the person about the reporting process and who will be contacted.
• Document the Disclosure: Record the conversation using the person’s exact words where possible, and note the date, time, and relevant details. Ensure the report is signed and dated.
• Report to the DSL: Submit the record to the DSL within 24 hours by emailing reporting@thesocialchangenest.org.

Important: Do not confront or approach the individual alleged to have caused harm. Immediately escalate the matter to the DSL.

For situations involving immediate risk, bypass internal processes and contact social services or emergency services directly.

 

 

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Confidentiality must be maintained at all stages when handling safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding information will be:

• Shared strictly on a need-to-know basis.
• Stored securely in compliance with data protection regulations (UK GDPR).
• Access-restricted to authorised personnel only.

 

Where safeguarding concerns necessitate sharing information with external agencies (such as social services or law enforcement), SCN will ensure data minimisation, disclosing only what is essential to protect the individual at risk.

 

A breach of confidentiality will be treated seriously and in accordance with SCN’s Data Breach Policy.

 

 

Digital and Online Safety

SCN is committed to safeguarding in all our online interactions. This includes:

• Ensuring the safe use of social media and digital communications.
• Protecting personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and SCN’s Privacy Policy.
• Implementing appropriate access controls and encryption to safeguard sensitive information.

All online safeguarding activities are conducted in line with SCN’s Data Protection Policy, ensuring compliance with GDPR when handling and storing personal information related to safeguarding concerns.

 

Review and Monitoring

SCN commits to regularly reviewing and monitoring this policy to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with current UK legislation. The designated safeguarding lead will oversee the review process, ensuring that decisions reflect community needs and feedback.

If you have any feedback regarding this or any of our policies, please email people@thesocialchangenest.org.  

 

 

Glossary of Terms

• Beneficiary of Assistance (Client) – Someone directly receiving goods or services from SCN’s programmes. Misuse of power can also apply to the wider community the NGO serves, including cases where individuals are exploited due to perceived positions of power.
• Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) – A term used in the humanitarian and development sectors to describe measures taken to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse by staff or associated personnel. This originates from the UN Secretary-General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (ST/SGB/2003/13).
• Sexual Exploitation – Any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes. This can include profiting, socially or financially, from the sexual exploitation of another person. It encompasses human trafficking and modern slavery.
• Survivor – An individual who has experienced abuse or exploitation. The term implies resilience and strength but is used based on the preference of the individual.
• Modern Slavery – Encompasses slavery, forced labour, human trafficking, and domestic servitude. Victims are often exploited through threats, coercion, or deception and may lack the freedom to leave their situation.