Safeguarding Policy and Procedure

This Policy was approved by the Management Committee/Board of Trustee on March 2026. This Policy will be reviewed by March 2028.

 

Our safeguarding policy

This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers and sessional workers, students or anyone else working on behalf of Cell Project Space & Cell Foundation.
 
The purpose of this policy:
 
  • To protect children and young people who receive Cell Project Space & Cell Foundation's services. This includes the children of adults who use our services;
  • To provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection;
 
Cell Project Space & Cell Foundation believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.
 

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:
 
  • Children Act 1989
  • United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
  • Data Protection Act 1998
  • Human Rights Act 1998
  • Sexual Offences Act 2003
  • Children Act 2004
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
  • Children and Families Act 2014
  • Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years-Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities; HM Government 2014
  • Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers; HM Government 2015
  • Working together to safeguarding children: guide to inter-ageney working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; HM Government 2015
 
This policy should be read alongside our policies and procedures on Health and Safety.
 
We recognise that:
 
  1. The welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989.
  2. All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
  3. Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
  4. Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people's welfare.

 

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
 
  1. Valuing them, listening to and respecting them
  2. Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) for children and young people, a deputy and lead board member for safeguarding
  3. Adopting child protection and safeguarding practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
  4. Developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures
  5. Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision support training and quality assurance measures
  6. Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
  7. Recording and storing information professionally and securely, and sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children, their families, staff and volunteers.
  8. Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately.
  9. Creating and maintain an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
  10. Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
  11. Ensuring that we provide a sate physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.

 

Contact details
Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)
Milika Muritu
 
Deputy DSO(s)
Annabelle Mödlinger
 
Senior lead for safeguarding
Rosie Joyce
 

Vulnerable Adults Policy & Procedure

 
1         Statement
 
1.1 Cell Project Space & Cell Foundation considers it the duty of staff and volunteers to protect vulnerable adults with whom they come into contact from abuse.
 
2          Introduction
 
2.1 Cell Project Space & Cell Foundation are involved in providing services for a wide range of people. Some of these people are likely to be "vulnerable adults."
 
2.2 This policy is based on No Secrets, the national guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse (Department of Health, 2000)
 
2.3 The charity has obligations to strive to protect vulnerable adults who it may believe to be abused or at risk of abuse or neglect.
 
2.4 The policy and procedures have been developed to assist staff and volunteers in acting on reported or suspected abuse.
 
2.5 Depending upon the nature of particular services or the requirements of particular founders or partner agencies, the policy and procedures may be supplemented by local procedures.
 
3          Definitions
 
3.1 No Secrets defines a vulnerable adult as:
 
'A person (over 18) who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability*, age or illness
 
AND
 
Who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.'
 
* Disability includes sensory impairment, physical impairment, learning difficulties etc.
 
3.2 No Secrets defines abuse as:
 
'Abuse is a violation of an individual's human and civil rights by any other person or persons.'
 
4          Categories of Abuse
 
4.1 No Secrets recognises six categories of abuse:
 
4.1.1 physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions
 
4.1.2 sexual abuse, including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting;
 
4.1.3 psychological abuse, including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks;
 
4.1.4 financial or material abuse, including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits;
 
4.1.5 neglect and acts of omission, including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating; and
 
4.1.6 discriminatory abuse, including racist, sexist, that based on a person's disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.
 
5          Responsibilities of Staff and Volunteers
 
5.1 Paid staff and volunteers have a responsibility to be aware and alert to signs that all is not well with a vulnerable person. However, they are not responsible for diagnosing, investigating or providing a therapeutic response to abuse. In addition, not all concerns relate to abuse, there may well be other explanations. It is important to keep an open mind and consider what is known about the vulnerable person and his or her circumstances. No action should be taken without discussion with a member of the management team.
 
6          Disclosure of Abuse
 
6.1 If a vulnerable person discloses that they are being abused or any service user discloses that they are involved in abuse of a vulnerable person, action should continue as in Section 8. All action must proceed urgently and without delay.
 
7          Suspicion of Abuse
 
7.1 There may be circumstances when a volunteer or member of staff suspects that a vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected.
 
7.2 It is vital that any anyone who suspects a vulnerable adult is being neglected or abused discusses the situation immediately with his or her line manager or another member of the management team. Action should continue as in Section 9.
 
8          Action on Disclosure of Abuse
 
8.1 There should always be the opportunity to discuss welfare concerns with and see advice from colleagues, managers and other agencies, but:
 

  • Never delay emergency action to protect a vulnerable adult

  • Always record in writing concerns about a vulnerable adult's welfare, whether or not further action is taken

  • Always record in writing discussions about a vulnerable adult's welfare.

  • At the close of discussion, always reach clear and explicit recorded agreement about who will be taking what action, or that no further action will be taken.

 
8.2 At all times action must proceed urgently.
 
8.3 A staff member or volunteer informed of abuse should remind the service user that the charity cannot guarantee confidentiality where a vulnerable person is at risk of abuse or further abuse.
 
8.4 Volunteers should consult with the staff member co-ordinating their service before taking any action.
 
8.5 Additionally, all action taken following a disclosure of abuse should be discussed in advance with a member of the management team.
 
8.6 In circumstances where a service user declines to disclose, despite some work having been done towards disclosing, it may be necessary to report the alleged abuse without the service user's agreement. In these circumstances, a service user must be notified in advance of the decision to report to social services.
 
8.7 Any staff member may report a disclosure of abuse to social services irrespective of the opinion of other staff.
 
8.8 It is important for staff and volunteers to make written records of any incidents or concerns that they have as soon as possible and if appropriate to include sketches of sites and sizes of injuries. It is also important to make a record of conversations with the vulnerable person using the same language the vulnerable person used especially names used for body parts or sexual acts.
 
8.9 Full written records must be maintained of all disclosures and actions following disclosure.
 
9          Action on Suspicion of Abuse
 
9.1 There should always be the opportuity to discuss welfare concerns with and seek advice from colleagues, managers, and other agencies, but:
 

  • Never delay emergency action to protect a vulnerable adult

  • Always record in writing concerns about a vulnerable adult's welfare, whether or not further action is taken

  • Always record in writing discussions about a vulnerable adult's welfare.

  • At the close of discussion, always reach clear and explicit recorded agreement about who will be taking what action, or that no further action will be taken.

 
9.2 At all times action must proceed urgently.
 
9.3 Volunteers should consult with the staff member co-ordinating their service before taking any action.
 
9.4 Additionally, all action taken following suspicion of abuse should be discussed in advance with a member of the management team.
 
9.5 In all cases of suspected abuse the manager and staff member should discuss whether issues relevant to different cultures and lifestyles have any bearing on the matter.
 
9.6 As an organisation Cell Project Space & Cell Foundation welcomes the fact that people and lifestyles are diverse and does not make judgements about the acceptability or otherwise of lifestyles. However, it is important that this philosophy does not stand in the way of the organisation's responsibility to protect vulnerable people from harm.
 
9.7 Any staff member may report a suspicion of abuse to social services irrespective of the opinion of other staff.
 
9.8 It is important for staff and volunteers to make written records of any incidents or concerns that they have as soon as possible and if appropriate to include sketches of sites and sizes of injuries. It is also important to make a record of conversations with the vulnerable person using the same language the vulnerable person used especially names used for body parts or sexual acts.
 
9.9 Full written records must be maintained of al disclosures and actions following disclosure.
 
10          Making a Referral
 
10.1 Social services departments have been designated as the lead agencies with responsibility for co-ordinating a response to allegations or concerns of abuse.
 
10.2 Each of the charity's managers has the responsibility of informing the relevant social services department of concerns over the abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults. Detailed referral arrangements may differ between localities and, therefore, managers should ensure that they have up-to-date referral information for their locality.
 
10.3 Managers should work within the following timescales for reporting allegations or suspicions of abuse:
 

  • Immediate if the vulnerable person is at risk of serious physical harm, or a serious criminal act has taken place, and evidence will need to be kept safe.

  • Within 24 Hours if it relates to a specific incident which is, or may be still going on, or may happen again.

  • Within 7 Days if it is a more general concern, which does not indicate immediate harm.

 
11          Support to Staff and Volunteers
 
11.1 Cell Project Space & Cell Foundation will support staff and volunteers in these circumstances. If the social services department need further involvement from staff volunteers following a report of abuse, a member of the management team w cuss with the social services department the nature of their needs and how they might be met.
 
12          Allegation of Abuse Made Against a Staff Member or Volunteer
 
12.1 Staff and volunteers may be subject to abuse allegations. The Charity will offer support in these circumstances, but the social services department will be assisted in their investigation and the disciplinary procedure may be implemented.
 
13          Confidentiality
 
13.1 Confidentiality is central to the work of Cell Project Space & Cell Foundation, and the attention of all staff and volunteers is drawn to the Confidentiality Policy.
 
14          Preventing Abuse by Staff and Volunteers
 
14.1 It is important that any staff or volunteers who are likely to be working alone with vulnerable people are thoroughly vetted before being employed. At Cell Project Space & Cell Foundation this means as well as references being checked there will also be requirement for offences to be declared and a Criminal Records Bureau check undertaken.
 
14.2 It should be noted that having a criminal record does not prevent someone from being recruited as a staff member or volunteer in all circumstances. Staff should seek the advice of their manager in cases of doubt.
 
14.3 It may be very hard for a worker to report a concern about a colleague to a line manager but, as with all the other difficulties people will come across, the safety and protection of a vulnerable person must be the priority in any decision that is made.