1. Our commitment

The Healing Hubs takes its safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. The welfare of the people we support is our highest priority.

We are committed to creating a culture where concerns are raised openly, listened to, and acted upon promptly.

We comply with all relevant legislation, including the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

2. Designated Safeguarding Lead

Sarah Greenway (Chair of Trustees) is the named Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for The Healing Hubs. She is responsible for overseeing all safeguarding matters within the organisation.

Team Managers act as Deputy DSLs and are the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns in day-to-day operations.

All safeguarding concerns must be reported to the DSL or a Deputy DSL in the first instance. If neither is available, concerns should be escalated directly to the relevant statutory authority.

The DSL will assess each concern and decide whether to refer to Adult Social Care, Children's Services, or the police.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, trustees, and contractors working with or on behalf of The Healing Hubs.

It covers all activities delivered by The Healing Hubs, including in-person community hubs, telephone befriending, companion home visiting, and any digital communications.

While our primary service users are adults, children may be present at community events or as family members of people we support. The same safeguarding principles apply.

4. DBS checks

An enhanced DBS check is required for all trustees, all paid staff, and all volunteers who work face-to-face with service users.

Telephone befriending volunteers are not required to hold a DBS check but must provide two satisfactory references and complete a Declaration Form before starting their role.

A positive DBS disclosure will not automatically disqualify a candidate — each case is considered on its individual merits.

DBS checks are renewed in line with our Safer Recruitment Policy.

5. Types of abuse

Abuse can take many forms. All staff and volunteers are trained to recognise the signs of each type and to understand their reporting responsibilities.

Physical abuse — including hitting, pushing, shaking, burning, or inappropriate restraint.

Emotional or psychological abuse — including threats, humiliation, persistent emotional ill-treatment, or coercive control.

Financial or material abuse — including theft, fraud, or misuse of property.

Sexual abuse — including any sexual activity without informed consent, or any sexual activity involving a child.

Neglect — including failure to provide adequate care, food, warmth, or medical attention.

Discriminatory abuse — including abuse based on race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Institutional abuse — including poor care practices within a service or organisation.

Modern slavery — including trafficking, forced labour, or domestic servitude.

Online abuse — including cyberbullying, grooming, or exploitation via digital channels.

6. Recognising signs of abuse

Signs may include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behaviour, withdrawal, fearfulness, poor hygiene, financial difficulties, or inappropriate sexual knowledge.

A child or adult may also disclose abuse directly. If someone discloses to you, listen carefully, do not promise confidentiality, and report to the DSL or Deputy DSL immediately.

Staff and volunteers are trained to recognise these signs and to respond appropriately.

7. Reporting procedure

If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of anyone — whether a service user, colleague, or volunteer — you must report it to the DSL or Deputy DSL immediately. Do not delay.

Record what you have seen or heard factually and accurately. Do not investigate the concern yourself. Do not promise confidentiality to anyone disclosing abuse. Do not confront the alleged abuser.

In an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, call 999 first. Then notify the DSL or Deputy DSL as soon as possible — do not wait until the next working day.

For all non-emergency concerns, report to the DSL or Deputy DSL in the first instance. They will decide whether and how to refer to Adult Social Care, Children's Services, the police, or any other outside organisation.

8. Adults at risk

An adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who has care and support needs, and who is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves.

This includes people with physical disabilities, mental health conditions, learning disabilities, dementia, and older people who may be frail or isolated.

We respect the right of adults to make their own decisions. Where there is doubt about an individual's capacity to make a specific decision, we follow the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. A lack of capacity must never be assumed — it must be assessed in relation to the specific decision at the time.

9. Children and young people

A child is anyone under the age of 18. This policy is in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and the Children Act 1989 and 2004.

All staff and volunteers who work with or may come into contact with children are subject to an enhanced DBS check before starting their role.

Photographs of children may only be taken with the explicit written consent of a parent or guardian. Images of children must never be shared on social media or used in any publication without appropriate consent.

10. Safer recruitment

The Healing Hubs follows a safer recruitment process for all staff and volunteers. This includes application forms, interviews, references, and DBS checks at the appropriate level.

All applicants are asked to declare any relevant convictions, cautions, or current investigations by the police or a regulatory body, even where no charge or conviction has resulted.

11. Training

All staff and volunteers complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role before starting work with The Healing Hubs.

Mandatory training includes Safeguarding Adults, Safeguarding Children, and Prevent Duty Training. Refresher training is provided regularly and records are maintained.

12. Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns override normal confidentiality obligations. Information may be shared with statutory agencies without consent where there is a risk of serious harm.

All information is handled sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.

13. Photography and consent

Photographs of service users may only be taken with explicit written consent.

Images must never be shared on social media or used in any publication without appropriate consent. Please refer to our Photography and Consent Policy for full details.