Role of peer support
Future peer supporters may listen, share carefully chosen lived experience, explain general processes in plain English, help someone prepare questions and signpost specialist services. They will not act as a social worker, solicitor, therapist, advocate, assessor or emergency service.
Firm boundaries
- No legal advice, court representation, outcome promises or instructions to ignore a safeguarding plan
- No private work with children and no direct contact with a participant’s child
- No accepting court bundles, medical records, intimate images or evidence for safekeeping
- No personal social-media connections, private messaging accounts or unrecorded off-platform support
- No lending, borrowing, gifts of significant value, business sales or financial arrangements with participants
- No sexual, romantic, exploitative or coercive relationship
- No transport, home visits or one-to-one in-person work unless specifically risk-assessed and approved
- No contacting professionals or family members without a defined service, authority and recorded consent
Use of lived experience
Sharing must serve the participant, not relieve the supporter’s own distress. Details should be limited, anonymised and never expose a child or another person. Supporters must not compare cases as though one outcome predicts another.
Safer recruitment and supervision
Every role will have a description, application, references, identity checks, interview, safeguarding induction and probation. Any DBS check will match the legal eligibility of the actual role rather than being requested as decorative reassurance. Ongoing reflective supervision will address boundaries, emotional impact, bias, uncertainty and safeguarding decisions.
Working online and in groups
Groups will have two trained facilitators where practicable, clear joining rules, moderation and an agreed response to distress or disclosure. Sessions will not be recorded. Participants will be reminded that other group members cannot be given an absolute guarantee of confidentiality.
Concerns about a worker or volunteer
Any allegation, boundary breach or unsafe conduct must be reported immediately through the safeguarding or whistleblowing route and not handled informally by friends. The person’s immediate safety, fair process, preservation of evidence and referral to statutory bodies will be considered.
Guidance informing this draft
Charity Commission safeguarding guidance and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.