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Safeguarding Policy

Who Cares Consultancy C.I.C.
Date Issued: 18/08/2025
Review Date: 17/08/2026

 

1. Policy Statement

Who Cares Consultancy C.I.C. is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We believe every individual has the right to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect, and to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of background, circumstance, or identity.

This policy sets out our responsibilities, standards, and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all individuals we engage with. It applies to all staff, volunteers, associates, consultants, and anyone acting on behalf of Who Cares Consultancy C.I.C.

 

2. Purpose of the Policy

This safeguarding policy aims to:

  • Protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults who interact with Who Cares Consultancy C.I.C.

  • Set clear expectations for behaviour and professional conduct for anyone working with or on behalf of the organisation.

  • Ensure all safeguarding concerns are dealt with appropriately and effectively.

  • Establish transparent processes around recruitment, risk assessment, reporting concerns, and multi-agency cooperation.

 

3. Legal and Statutory Framework

This policy aligns with UK safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, including but not limited to:

  • The Children Act 1989 & 2004

  • The Children and Social Work Act 2017

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018, updated 2023)

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023)

  • The Care Act 2014

  • The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

  • The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

  • Human Rights Act 1998

  • GDPR (UK) 2018

 

4. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All employees, directors, and associates of Who Cares Consultancy C.I.C.

  • All volunteers, contractors, and external consultants

  • All activities and engagements involving children, young people, or vulnerable adults, including those commissioned by or in partnership with local authorities

 

5. Definitions

  • Child: Anyone under the age of 18

  • Young Person: A person aged 16 to 25 (especially relevant to care leavers and transition services)

  • Vulnerable Adult: An adult who may be at increased risk due to age, disability, illness, or circumstances

  • Abuse: A violation of an individual’s human or civil rights, including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, and online harm

 

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL has primary responsibility for:

  • Leading safeguarding procedures and practices

  • Receiving and managing concerns and disclosures

  • Liaising with external safeguarding partners (e.g., LADO, police, social services)

  • Ensuring all staff are trained and supported
     

All Staff and Associates

  • Must familiarise themselves with and follow this policy

  • Must complete appropriate safeguarding training

  • Are expected to report any safeguarding concern or incident without delay

  • Must maintain professional boundaries and model appropriate behaviour at all times

 

7. Safer Recruitment

Who Cares Consultancy C.I.C. is committed to safe, fair, and inclusive recruitment.

  • All roles involving direct or unsupervised contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults will require an Enhanced DBS check, including barred list checks where appropriate.

  • We may consider individuals with previous criminal convictions where lawful and safe to do so, in line with our lived-experience, equality and inclusion values.

  • In such cases, we will undertake a comprehensive and individualised risk assessment, considering:

    • The nature and relevance of the offence

    • Time elapsed since the conviction

    • Any evidence of rehabilitation and references

    • The role and level of access to service users

  • We will never knowingly recruit anyone barred from working with children or vulnerable adults, in line with DBS and legal requirements.

 

8. Training and Development

  • All staff and volunteers will receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role as part of their induction.

  • Safeguarding refresher training will be provided annually.

  • The DSL and Deputy DSL will receive advanced safeguarding training and attend updates as required.

  • Ongoing reflective supervision and support will be offered, especially for those in front-line roles.

 

9. Code of Conduct for Working with Children and Young People

All personnel are expected to:

  • Treat children and young people with dignity, fairness, and respect

  • Always act in a way that prioritises safety and wellbeing

  • Maintain clear and appropriate boundaries

  • Never engage in any form of inappropriate communication or relationship

  • Avoid being alone in private with a child or young person unless essential and pre-agreed

  • Report any concerns, disclosures, or unsafe behaviour immediately

 

10. Responding to Concerns and Allegations

All safeguarding concerns, suspicions, disclosures or allegations must be reported immediately to the DSL.

The DSL will:

  • Record the concern securely and accurately

  • Follow appropriate procedures for internal escalation or referral to relevant agencies

  • Inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) if the concern involves a staff member or associate

  • Keep all parties informed within the boundaries of confidentiality and safety
     

All concerns will be taken seriously and addressed in accordance with statutory guidance and best practice.

 

11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

  • Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis and in line with legal requirements.

  • We adhere to GDPR and data protection standards when storing and handling sensitive information. (refer to Privacy and GDPR Policy)

  • We will cooperate with statutory agencies in the event of safeguarding investigations.

 

12. Multi-Agency Partnership

As an organisation working closely with local authorities, children’s and youth services, youth offending teams, and care professionals, we commit to:

  • Active participation in safeguarding partnerships

  • Transparent information sharing where appropriate

  • Collaborative risk planning and joint decision-making

 

13. Policy Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there is:

  • A change in legislation or regulatory requirements

  • A significant safeguarding incident or concern

  • Updates in sector best practice

 

14. Key Contacts

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Mana Gondolora (Gondora)
07513974496
info@whocaresconsultancy.co.uk

 

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
 

Childline: 0800 1111

 

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): In line with statutory safeguarding guidance and whistleblowing legislation, Who Cares Consultancy C.I.C. will ensure that the contact details for the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) are made available to all staff, volunteers, and associates when delivering work in a particular area. 

  • The LADO is the statutory point of contact where allegations are made against adults who work with children and young people.

  • Because LADO services are managed by individual local authorities, contact details will vary depending on the location and commissioning organisation.

  • For each project, programme, or partnership, the current LADO details will be provided in induction materials, safeguarding briefings, and displayed in project documentation.

  • Staff and volunteers must use these details if they need to escalate safeguarding or whistleblowing concerns externally in line with statutory requirements.

  • Where individuals are unsure which LADO to contact, they must report the concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately, who will liaise with the appropriate authority.

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