Safeguarding policy

1. Policy statement and commitment

With Each Other CIC recognises that every person, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background, has the right to equal protection from all types of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

We take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously. We are committed to anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and ethical practices that ensure community participants, collaborators, staff, and contractors are treated with dignity, respect and safety during all workshops, listening sessions, research projects and events.

2. Scope of this policy

This policy applies to:

• Directors, employees and freelance facilitators of With Each Other CIC.
• Community participants taking part in our programmes, consultations or research.
• Partner organisations and clients collaborating with us on community engagement initiatives.

3. Legal and regulatory framework

This policy is based on English law and statutory guidance, including:

• The Care Act 2014 (safeguarding adults at risk).
• The Children Acts 1989 and 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
• The Equality Act 2010.
• The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.

An adult at risk is anyone aged 18 or over who has needs for care and support, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and as a result of their care needs is unable to protect themselves. A child is anyone under the age of 18.

4. Key principles in our community work

• Empowerment and consent: We prioritise informed consent, personal agency, and transparent communication before, during and after any community session.
• Do no harm: We design discussions to minimise the risk of re-traumatisation. Participants are never pressured to share sensitive personal experiences, and they may take breaks or step away at any point without forfeiting payment.
• Fair exchange: Fairly compensating community participants helps protect against financial and time exploitation.
• Safer working practices: Facilitators must maintain clear professional boundaries. Where sessions involve children or vulnerable adults, appropriate vetting (including Disclosure and Barring Service — DBS checks) and chaperone arrangements are established in advance.
• Online and digital safety: For virtual workshops and webinars, we use secure waiting rooms, monitor attendee interactions, and never publish participant identities or contact information without explicit consent, ideally in written form.

5. Recognising and responding to concerns

Abuse and harm can take many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, discriminatory, organisational or neglect.

If a participant or collaborator discloses harm, or if a facilitator observes signs of abuse or immediate danger:

1. Listen calmly and without judgement: Reassure the person that they did the right thing by speaking up, but never promise absolute secrecy.
2. Explain confidentiality limits: Explain gently that if someone is at immediate risk of serious harm, we have a legal and moral duty to share information with statutory support services.
3. Record factually: Make a factual, dated record of what was seen or disclosed using the person’s own words, keeping opinions separate from facts.
4. Report promptly: Report the concern immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

6. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

With Each Other CIC appoints a Designated Safeguarding Lead responsible for receiving, assessing, and acting on safeguarding concerns:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead: Elma Glasgow (Director)
• Role: Review reports, provide guidance to facilitators, make statutory referrals to Local Authority Safeguarding Teams (Adult Social Care or Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub — MASH) or emergency services (999) where someone is in immediate danger.

7. Confidentiality and information sharing

Information relating to safeguarding concerns is handled in strict confidence and shared only on a need-to-know basis in compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018. We do not keep unnecessary personal records beyond what is required to protect individual safety.

8. Raising a concern

If you have a safeguarding concern, question, or disclosure regarding any activity organised by With Each Other CIC, please contact us through our enquiry form, marked for the attention of the Safeguarding Lead. If someone is in immediate danger, always dial 999.

This policy is reviewed annually and updated in line with changing legislation and good practice.

Last updated: 22 October 2026.