Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy
1. Policy Statement & Introduction
1.1 Purpose & Scope
This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, trustees, contractors, students, and anyone acting on behalf of Catch’em CIC.
Catch’em CIC is committed to protecting the welfare of all children and young people (under 18) who access our services—including children of adult service users, young people in our community, and those we support alongside survivors of domestic abuse.
Core Belief: Every child/young person has the right to be safe, protected from harm/abuse, and supported to thrive—regardless of age, background, or circumstance. We prioritize their welfare above all else.
1.2 Legal & Ethical Basis
This policy follows UK law & statutory guidance:
• Children Act 1989 & 2004
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (statutory guidance)
• GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
We work in partnership with families, agencies, and communities to prevent abuse, identify risks early, and respond promptly to concerns.
2. Key Definitions
2.1 Safeguarding
Safeguarding means:
• Protecting children from maltreatment/abuse
• Preventing impairment of health & development
• Ensuring safe, effective care & circumstances
• Securing optimal life chances & successful transition to adulthood
2.2 Who is a Child?
Any person under 18 years old (Children Act 2004). We also support care leavers/vulnerable young people up to 25 where appropriate.
2.3 Forms of Abuse & Neglect
We recognize 4 main categories + related risks:
• Physical Abuse: Hitting, shaking, burning, poisoning, harming health/fabricating illness, or putting a child at physical risk.
• Emotional Abuse: Persistent ill-treatment: making a child feel worthless/unloved, limiting opportunities, bullying, exploiting, or exposing them to domestic conflict/violence.
• Sexual Abuse: Involving/coercing a child in sexual activity (contact or non-contact), grooming, exploitation, sharing inappropriate images, or exposure to harmful behavior.
• Neglect: Persistent failure to meet basic needs: food, shelter, safety, supervision, medical care, or emotional warmth/response.
Additional Risks:
• Domestic Abuse: Living with family violence harms children—always triggers safeguarding checks
• Bullying/harassment, exploitation, trafficking, forced marriage, FGM, and harmful cultural/ritual practices
3. Our Commitments & Responsibilities
3.1 General Principles
• Equality: All children get equal protection—regardless of race, disability, gender, faith, or background
• Domestic Abuse Focus: Our work involves supporting survivors; we actively assess how household violence impacts children
• Transparency & Confidentiality: We respect privacy but always share information if a child is at risk of significant harm
• Zero Tolerance: Abuse/neglect is never justified by culture, religion, or circumstance
3.2 Staffing & Vetting
• Safe recruitment: rigorous interviews, references, enhanced DBS checks for regular child contact, eligibility verification
• Induction + mandatory safeguarding training + regular refreshers for everyone
• Supervision, support, and clear reporting lines
3.3 Designated Safeguarding Lead
We have a named lead with:
• Lead responsibility for child protection/safeguarding
• Advice/support for staff
• Liaison with Social Care, Police, and other agencies
• Oversight of referrals/records
4. Recognizing & Responding to Concerns
4.1 Signs & Awareness
All staff are trained to spot indicators:
• Physical injury, changes in behavior/mood, fear/anxiety
• Withdrawal, aggression, poor development, or secrecy
• Disclosure by child/others; gut instinct/suspicion is valid
4.2 When a Child Discloses or You Suspect Harm
Do:
• Stay calm, listen, reassure—do not judge
• Let them speak in their own words; avoid leading questions
• Record facts accurately (time, date, words used)
• Explain clearly: “I may need to share this to keep you safe”
• Report immediately to your manager/Designated Lead
Don’t:
• Promise total secrecy if they are at risk
• Investigate yourself or confront alleged abusers
• Delay reporting—even if unsure
4.3 Reporting & Referral Procedure
1. Report Immediately: Raise concerns to line manager/Lead within 24 hours
2. Assessment: Consider child’s wishes, safety risks, parental consent (where safe), and impact
3. Referral: If risk of significant harm, refer promptly to Local Authority Children’s Social Care
• Urgent/immediate danger: Contact Police/emergency services directly
• Follow up verbal referrals in writing within 48 hours
4. Record: Full confidential logs—concerns, actions, conversations, decisions
5. Safe Practice & Environment
5.1 Working with Families & Parents
• Support positive parenting without compromising safety
• Involve caregivers unless they pose risk or block protection
• Explain policies clearly; provide accessible information
5.2 Photography, Media & Digital Safety
• No photos/filming without written parental consent
• Images only for approved, safe purposes; stored securely
• Social media boundaries: strict privacy rules
5.3 Lone Working & Boundaries
• Clear code of conduct/professional boundaries
• Lone working policy & safety protocols
• Anti-bullying/harassment/equality standards
6. Multi‑Agency Working & Confidentiality
• We work closely with Social Care, Police, Health, Education, and specialist services
• Information shared only in best interests of the child—GDPR/data protection rules do not override safety duties
• Respect local child protection procedures
7. Policy Review & Quality Assurance
• Annual review by management/trustees
• Monitor, record, and learn from all concerns/allegations
• Update training, procedures, and guidance regularly
• Available publicly + shared with all staff/volunteers
We rise together – stronger, kinder, ready to thrive.
124-128 City Road, London, England, EC1V 2NX
Contact via Contact email: info@catchemcic.com or +44 7459 073700
