Safeguarding Policy

Policy Statement:

Natural Networks CIC believes that everyone has the right to feel safe, respected, and protected from harm.
We are committed to creating environments where children, young people, and adults at risk are supported, listened to, and safeguarded.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We expect all staff, volunteers, freelancers, Directors, and partners to act in the best interests of those we work with and to report concerns immediately.

Scope:

This policy applies to:

• Employees
• Volunteers
• Freelancers and contractors
• Directors/Board members
• Partner organisations working on our behalf
• All children, young people, adults at risk, and families engaging with our programmes

Aim of the Policy:

The aim of this policy is to:

• Ensure all reasonable steps are taken to make sure children, vulnerable adults, volunteers, and those working with Natural Networks are and feel safe.
• Ensure that Natural Networks, children, vulnerable adults, volunteers, and others have up-to-date knowledge of potential sources of harm and how to take steps to keep themselves and others safe.
• Enable Natural Networks, children, vulnerable adults, volunteers, and others to recognise the signs of abuse.
• Ensure Natural Networks and partners delivering activities know how to respond to safeguarding concerns and disclosures with confidence.
• Ensure Natural Networks, children, vulnerable adults, volunteers, and others know how to report concerns and find help.
• Meet our legal and statutory obligations.
• Support Bristol City Council’s safeguarding strategy.

Legal Framework

This policy is informed by UK legislation and guidance including:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018, updated)
• Care Act 2014
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (where relevant to partnerships)
• UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and protect them from harm.

For Natural Networks, safeguarding means:

• Protecting participants from abuse and maltreatment.
• Preventing harm to participants’ health or development.
• Ensuring children grow up with safe and effective care.
• Taking action to enable all participants to achieve the best outcomes.

Child protection is a key part of safeguarding, focusing on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

Types of Abuse

The Care Act 2014 lists 10 types of abuse, but local authorities should not limit their view to these. The types include:

1. Physical abuse
2. Domestic abuse
3. Sexual abuse
4. Psychological/emotional abuse
5. Financial or material abuse
6. Modern slavery
7. Discriminatory abuse
8. Organisational or institutional abuse
9. Neglect and acts of omission
10. Self-neglect

Who Might Abuse?

Anyone can abuse. Abusers are frequently known to the child or vulnerable adult and can include:

• Family members
• Neighbours or friends
• Paid staff or professionals
• Volunteers
• Strangers or those who exploit vulnerable individuals

Why Abuse May Occur

Abuse can occur for many reasons, with risks increasing when:

• The person is socially isolated.
• A pattern of family violence exists.
• Drugs or alcohol are misused.
• Relationships are under stress.
• The abuser or victim is dependent on the other (financially, emotionally, or for accommodation).

Recognising Concerns

Staff and volunteers should be alert to:

• Unexplained injuries
• Changes in behaviour or mood
• Fear of certain individuals
• Poor hygiene or neglect signs
• Disclosure of harm
• Consistent absences without reason
• Signs of controlling or exploitative relationships

When in doubt — report and seek advice.

Safeguarding Enquiries

Local authorities have a duty to make enquiries (or cause others to do so) if they reasonably suspect a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.

• Section 42 Enquiries: Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities must investigate suspected abuse or neglect.
• Non-statutory Enquiries: These may be carried out for individuals without care and support needs but who are still at risk.

 

Record Keeping

Accurate record-keeping is vital for safeguarding. Records must:

• Be clear and accurate.
• Show what action has been taken and why.
• Be kept in line with the Data Protection Policy.

Guidelines for recording information:

• What information is necessary to provide a high-quality response?
• What information is needed to keep individuals safe?
• What information is unnecessary?
• What is the basis for sharing (or not sharing) information with third parties?

 

Risk Assessment and Management

Risk assessment is integral to safeguarding. It involves:

• Balancing an individual’s right to control their care with the need to protect their wellbeing.
• Identifying potential benefits and harms of risk-taking.
• Encouraging positive risk-taking to achieve personal growth.

Risk assessments are dynamic and should be reviewed regularly to adjust to changes in risk levels.

Safer Recruitment

Natural Networks ensures safer recruitment practices by:

• Conducting DBS checks for those leading and undertaking regular activities.
• Risk-assessing freelance workers and volunteers awaiting DBS clearance (they cannot undertake unsupervised work with vulnerable adults or children).
• Interviewing all volunteers before they start.
• Taking up references for all staff and volunteers.
• Providing guidance, supervision, and training to staff and volunteers.

 

Concerns or Allegations About Staff or Volunteers

Allegations or concerns about a staff member or volunteer must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or safeguarding working group immediately.

Steps include:

• Assessing the situation to determine if a referral is needed.
• Removing the individual from activities involving direct contact with vulnerable adults or children if necessary.

Where the allegation concerns the DSL, report directly to:

• Chair of the Board / another Director

The DSL or Chair will consult statutory safeguarding partners as appropriate.

Emergencies

If a vulnerable adult or child is in immediate danger, contact:

• Police: 999
• Bristol Safeguarding Board
• NSPCC Child Protection Helpline
• Community Mental Health Team
• Learning Disability Team
• Bristol Domestic Violence Project Management Board

Responding to Disclosures

If a vulnerable adult or child discloses abuse:

• Listen without asking leading questions or giving opinions.
• Do not promise confidentiality but reassure them they have done the right thing by speaking up.
• Inform them you will need to share the information with someone who can help.
• Remain calm and supportive.
• Reassure them they are not at fault.
• Record the disclosure accurately and promptly after the conversation

Reporting a Concern (Step-by-Step)

Recognise something is wrong:

• Record key facts (who, what, when, where)
  Report immediately to the DSL
  DSL decides next steps — including referral to statutory services if needed

Staff and volunteers must not investigate safeguarding concerns themselves.

Training & Supervision

Natural Networks ensures that everyone working with children, young people or adults at risk is confident and competent in safeguarding.

• All staff, freelancers and volunteers receive a safeguarding induction covering this policy, reporting procedures, and roles and responsibilities.
• All practitioners must provide evidence of current safeguarding training (renewed at least every two years). Training may be delivered online or in person, provided it is from a recognised provider.
• Where gaps are identified, Natural Networks will provide or arrange additional training.

Natural Networks Safeguarding Lead

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Jabez Croney

Contact Details of DSL

Tel: 07552766433

Email: info@natural-networks.co.uk

Work Office Address: 62a Halston Dr, St Paul’s, Bristol BS2 9JN

Bristol City Council First Response Team for children (0117 903 6444) or Care Direct for adults (0117 922 2700).

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/council/policies-plans-and-strategies/social-care-and-health/keeping-children-safe

Review Date

This policy will be reviewed on 01/01/2027.