Safeguarding policy & procedure

This policy, developed with inspiration from the Radical Safeguarding Workbook, sets out how organisations can prevent safeguarding issues through empowerment and trust-building, and how to respond when incidents occur. It covers emergency and non-emergency procedures, managing allegations against staff or volunteers, recording confidential information, and the responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL. Notably, it expands the definition of abuse to include cultural and structural harm, critiques punitive responses such as exclusion, and explicitly acknowledges the potential harms of involving statutory bodies such as the police or PREVENT, while still outlining legal obligations. The policy is reviewed annually and applies to all staff, volunteers, board members, and participants.