Current service boundary: Branches of Safety is not accepting referrals, providing casework, running groups or delivering services to children. A founding safeguarding lead and deputy have been identified, but their roles will not become operational until the required training, governing approval and tested procedures are complete. The inbox must not be used for disclosures or confidential case material.
Purpose and scope
This draft sets the intended approach for future trustees or directors, staff, volunteers, peer supporters, contractors, partners and participants. It covers harm connected with the organisation as well as concerns disclosed during its work.
Our commitments
- Put children’s welfare and the safety, dignity and wishes of adults at risk at the centre
- Create a culture where concerns are noticed, taken seriously and reported promptly
- Respond without blame, disbelief, amateur investigation or promises of secrecy
- Use safer recruitment, clear roles, training, supervision and proportionate checks
- Work inclusively and recognise how disability, domestic abuse, poverty, culture and power can affect risk and access to help
- Record decisions, learn from incidents and report to statutory bodies or regulators where required
Recognising a concern
A concern may arise from something seen, heard, disclosed or recorded; unsafe conduct by a worker or participant; a breach of boundaries; domestic abuse; neglect; exploitation; self-harm or suicidal intent; online harm; or information suggesting that a child or adult may be at risk. Certainty is not required before passing a concern on.
Immediate reporting procedure
- Make the situation safer.Call 999 where there is immediate danger or urgent medical need. Do not confront a suspected person if that could increase risk.
- Listen and clarify only what is necessary.Do not investigate, ask leading questions or promise confidentiality. Explain that information may need to be shared to help keep someone safe.
- Record promptly.Use the person’s own words where possible; record date, time, context, people present, observed facts and immediate action.
- Report without delay.Contact the designated safeguarding lead or deputy. If they are implicated, unavailable or delay would increase risk, contact the relevant statutory service directly.
- Decide and refer.The lead records risk, wishes, lawful information-sharing basis, advice sought, referrals made and reasons. A concern about a child goes to the relevant local authority or police as appropriate.
- Follow up and learn.Confirm receipt where possible, review continuing risk, support those affected, preserve confidentiality and consider regulator, insurer or serious-incident duties.
Allegations about people working with us
Concerns about a founder, governing person, worker or volunteer must not be handled privately by friends or by the person complained about. Neither founder may decide a safeguarding matter involving themselves, the other founder, their household, family or private proceedings. Urgent concerns go directly to the appropriate statutory service; other founder-related concerns require independent external review or advice. Immediate safety, fair process, preservation of information and contact with the local authority designated officer, police, DBS, regulator or professional body will be considered according to the role and circumstances.
Children and direct contact
The initial service model is for adults only. No worker will provide private support to a child, communicate directly with a participant’s child or use a child’s story or image without a separately approved child-participation framework.
Governance, training and review
The future governing body will hold overall responsibility. It must appoint a trained safeguarding lead and deputy, receive regular safeguarding reports, monitor training and safer recruitment, review incidents and near misses and ensure the policy is tested at least annually and after any serious event or service change.
If someone may be at risk now
Immediate danger: call 999. Concern about a child: contact the child’s local council children’s social care team or the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000. Do not wait for a response from Branches of Safety.
Guidance informing this draft
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, Charity Commission safeguarding guidance and DfE information-sharing advice.