Helping Hands Community Trust
Safeguarding Policy & Procedures
Adult & Children
The Care and Welfare of Vulnerable People and Responsibilities of Staff and Volunteers
1. Policy Statement
The Helping Hands Community Trust is committed to protecting the welfare of every person participating in our services and activities. We aim to create a safe, secure, and inclusive environment for all service users, staff, and volunteers.
We recognise our responsibility to comply with legislation and best practice, and we continually monitor developments in safeguarding. Our approach is therapeutic, holistic, and non-judgemental, keeping both the safety of clients and the well-being of staff and volunteers at the forefront.
We sometimes work with:
Children, young people, and adults at risk
People with current or past safeguarding risks
Those with lived experience of trauma, abuse, or offending
We focus on person-centred safeguarding, respecting individual choice wherever possible, whilst taking action to protect people from harm.
2. Definitions
Children
Anyone who has not reached the minimum school leaving age.
Young Person
Anyone not a child but under 18.
Adults at Risk
A person aged 18 or over who:
Is at risk of abuse or neglect due to care and support needs
Has a physical, mental, or emotional impairment affecting their ability to provide for basic care or protect themselves from harm
Abuse
Includes physical, verbal, psychological harm, neglect, or coercion into financial or sexual transactions without consent.
For the purposes of this policy, vulnerable people and service users are interchangeable.
3. Principles
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
The welfare, dignity, and well-being of all participants are paramount
Person-centred safeguarding supports people to achieve the outcomes they want
A non-judgemental approach is essential, including when working with clients with past or current safeguarding risks
Actions taken should be proportionate to the level of risk
We work in partnership with statutory and non-statutory organisations
4. Roles and Responsibilities
4.1 Designated Safeguarding Leads
DSL
Amanda Murgatroyd – Service Delivery Manager
Responsibilities:
Receive and respond to safeguarding concerns
Manage referrals
Coordinate training
Maintain safeguarding records
Deputy DSL
Sarah Ridden – Team Leader
Responsibilities:
Support the DSL
Act in their absence
Escalation Contact
Amy Davies – CEO
Responsibilities:
To be contacted if the DSL and Deputy DSL are unavailable
To be contacted if concerns involve the DSL or Deputy DSL
The DSL and Deputy DSL are responsible for operational safeguarding.
The CEO acts as the final escalation point for unresolved, sensitive, or complex cases.
Where cases are complex, the CEO must be consulted before action is taken.
Where a safeguarding referral is made to authorities, the DSL must ensure it is logged in the safeguarding log located in the management folder on SharePoint.
4.2 Trustees
The Board oversees safeguarding governance and is responsible for:
Ensuring a DSO and Deputy are in place
Reviewing serious safeguarding incidents and near misses
Approving policy updates
Trustees are governance-only and do not handle operational reporting.
5. Staff & Volunteer Code of Conduct
Staff and volunteers must:
Abide by policies, procedures, and Codes of Conduct
Notify the Trust of relevant criminal records or changes affecting suitability for employment
Uphold trust in all interactions with vulnerable people
Maintain confidentiality
Avoid offering lifts to individuals unless authorised
Not exploit the Trust for financial gain
Ensure additional activities outside normal services are approved in advance
Avoid any behaviour that could be construed as abusive
6. Identifying Risk
Signs may include:
Unexplained injuries
Concerns about mental health
Suicide thoughts and concerns of action
Changes in behaviour, confidence, or appearance
Self-harm or withdrawal
Fear of individuals or groups
Disclosures of abuse
7. Immediate Action When Raising a Concern
Ensure the person is safe and seek medical attention if necessary
Do not confront the alleged perpetrator
Reassure the person and listen carefully
Ask what they would like to happen next
Explain that information will need to be shared with the DSL
Record full details including time, date, and nature of the incident
Notify other witnesses to make records
Report to the DSL immediately
8. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
8.1 Reporting Flowchart
Concern arises
If the DSL is available:
Report to DSL – Amanda Murgatroyd
If the DSL is unavailable:
Report to Deputy DSL – Sarah Ridder
If the concern involves the DSL or Deputy:
Report to CEO – Amy Davies
The DSL manages or oversees the case by:
Recording details for Helping Hands Community Trust records
Supporting the team member in making referrals to relevant statutory bodies
Coordinating support
10. Mental Capacity & Decision Making
Adults are assumed to have capacity unless proven otherwise
Support decision-making wherever possible
Actions must balance safety and dignity
Use advocates if the person cannot communicate decisions
11. Multi-Agency Working
We cooperate with:
Local Authority Safeguarding Teams
Police
Health services
Other organisations, including partner charities
12. Recording & Information Sharing
Records are accurate, confidential, and accessible only to those with a need to know
Share information with consent whenever possible
Share without consent only when safety or legal obligations require
Document all decisions regarding sharing or withholding information
13. Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers
Report immediately to the DSL, or Deputy or CEO if escalated
Inform the CEO
If the DSL is implicated, report directly to the CEO
Make a LADO referral for child-related cases
Make a police referral if a criminal offence is suspected
Ensure a fair process, confidentiality, suspension if needed, support, and a clear separation between safeguarding and disciplinary processes
14. AI & Digital Safeguarding
Ethical and safe use of AI and digital tools
Protect vulnerable people and personal data
Prevent misuse of imagery and deepfakes
Carry out an annual risk review
Ensure all staff follow internal digital safety guidance
15. Training
All staff and volunteers receive:
Induction training
Safeguarding, abuse recognition, and reporting training
Annual refresher training
Updates for legislative or organisational changes
15. Policies & Procedures Linked to Safeguarding
Safeguarding Children
Bullying & Harassment
Social Media
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Safe Activities Risk Assessments
Codes of Conduct and Breach Procedures
Discipline & Grievance
Complaints & Concerns
Whistleblowing
Safe Recruitment & Selection
Data Protection & Information Sharing
16. Review
This policy is reviewed every year or sooner if legislation or best practice changes
Serious incidents trigger an immediate review
Trustees approve policy updates
17. Support and External Resources
Action on Elder Abuse
enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
Respond
services@respond.org.uk
Rape Crisis Federation
info@rapecrisis.co.uk
Stop Hate Crime
talk@stophateuk.org
Victim Support
www.victimsupport.com
Women’s Aid Federation
www.womensaid.org.uk
Freeva
www.freeva.org.uk
Respect
www.respect.org.uk
LADO
lrsb.org.uk/lado-local-authority-designated
lcitylscb.org/about-the-lscp/local-authority-designated-officer-lado/
Safeguarding Referrals
customerportal.leics.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/profrefsg#h1
www.leicester.gov.uk/adult-social-care/safeguarding-adults-board
Version Control – Approval and Review
Version No
1.0
Approved By
Board
Approval Date
Mar 26
Main Changes
New Version Agreed
Review Period
Annually