Safeguarding

Published June 2025

Introduction

Code Your Future (CYF) is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all individuals involved in its activities. This policy aligns with the Charity Commission's definition of safeguarding and exceeds statutory requirements to address all potential harms. Our safeguarding policy is essential to our mission and reflects our organisational values.

Policy Statement

Safeguarding is integral to CYF's mission, and our organisational values underpin all our safeguarding efforts:

Kind and honest: We are generous, friendly and compassionate. We help each other by giving and receiving genuine feedback to help us grow as individuals and as a community.

Supportive: We are a team. We create an inclusive space where we belong and build relationships to support each other. We are grateful for the help we receive.

Empower and represent: We encourage and trust each other to promote autonomy, independence and initiative. Our community represents us.

Challenge: We push each other outside our comfort zones to enable our professional development. We embrace challenges that fulfil our potential.

Long-term impact: We promote social mobility by creating meaningful change in people's lives. We make a tangible and positive impact on the individuals, companies, and communities we serve.

Scope of this Policy

This policy applies to all CYF staff, contractors, volunteers, trainees, trustees, and partners:

Staff and Contractors: Compliance with this policy is mandatory.
Trustees: Expected to act in CYF’s best interests and comply with this policy.
Partners: Expected to align with safeguarding principles and appoint a designated staff member for reporting concerns.

Guiding Principles

Everyone's responsibility: All CYF members are responsible for ensuring a safe and inclusive environment and adhering to measures and practices that protect the health, well-being, and human rights of all individuals, especially adults at risk.
Prevention: Implementing safe recruitment practices, promoting safe working environments, and raising awareness about safeguarding.
Protection: Providing policies, procedures, information, and training to respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
Partnership: Collaborating with statutory, regulatory, and relevant organisations to address safeguarding issues.
Empowerment: Being person-centred and upholding the rights of adults at risk
Accountability: Ensuring transparency and recognising the importance of continuous learning and improvement.

Roles and Responsibilities

All staff and volunteers: Required to undertake training and familiarise themselves with our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
Trustees: Approve the Safeguarding Policy and provide active oversight of its implementation. Ensure the charity's duty of care, manage safeguarding-related risks, regularly review the safeguarding risk register, and protect the organisation's reputation.
Safeguarding Subcommittee: Trustees may establish a Safeguarding Subcommittee under Clause 14 of the CYF Constitution to provide focused oversight on safeguarding practices, investigations, and compliance.
Directors: Integrate safeguarding into strategic plans, risk assessments, and quality assurance processes.
Heads of Department and Managers: Ensure their teams understand and follow the safeguarding policy and procedures and access relevant training.
Designated Safeguarding Officer: Acts as the Designated Person for Safeguarding, overseeing the development and quality of safeguarding activities.
Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Supports Safeguarding Officer and acts as cover for their role when they are unavailable.
Community Safety Team: Made up of the Safeguarding Officer, the Deputy Safeguarding Officer, the CEO and Chief of Staff. Handles Safeguarding concerns following steps outlined in this policy.
CYF Partners: Establish their safeguarding arrangements aligned with CYF Quality Standards.

Understanding Risks

Unintentional Harm: May result from organisational negligence.
Deliberate Harm: May be caused by individuals with malicious intent.
Risk Management: CYF maintains a comprehensive risk register, which is reviewed regularly by both operational leads and trustees to manage safeguarding-related risks.
Although CYF primarily works with adults, safeguarding considerations will also apply in cases involving individuals under 18 years old, should they participate in CYF-related activities.

Statement of Commitments

CYF commits to:

Creating an environment where safety for adults at risk is a top priority and any form of abusive behaviour or practices are not tolerated.
Emphasising safeguarding measures in the recruitment process.
Ensuring community members are knowledgeable in safeguarding best practices.
Raising awareness of safeguarding risks.
Taking appropriate action for non-compliance.
Maintaining adequate insurance.
Conducting due diligence on partners.
Integrating safeguarding considerations into all activities.
Ensuring staff and trustees know their reporting responsibilities
Promptly addressing safeguarding concerns.
Reporting incidents to external authorities when appropriate.
Regularly updating privacy notices.
Regular policy and practice reviews.

Reporting & Responding to Concerns

Types of Abuse: Statutory Guidance identifies ten types of abuse. They are:

Physical abuse
Domestic Violence/abuse
Sexual abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse
Financial or material abuse
Modern slavery
Discriminatory abuse
Organisational abuse
Neglect
Self-neglect

Recognising Signs of Abuse: Evidence of any one indicator should not be taken on its own as proof that abuse is occurring. However, it should alert members to make further assessments and to consider other associated factors.
Reporting Concerns: It is mandatory for all CYF members to report concerns confidentially to the Designated Safeguarding Officer. Details of how to do this are at the end of this policy. The Community Safety team will ensure details of concerns raised are stored appropriately. Any Safeguarding cases will be shared with the designated Safeguarding Trustee.
Acting on Concerns: The Community Safety team will decide how to act on any and all concerns raised. The Community Safety team will decide next steps. This could include:

Call 999 if there is an immediate threat.
Raise with relevant bodies such as the local authority social care team.
Support CYF members involved appropriately.
Declassify the concern, down to a breach of the Code of Conduct. Steps in the Code of Conduct will be followed.

Reporting Breaches

Any suspected or actual breaches of the safeguarding policy should be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer. Reports can be made via email at safeguarding@codeyourfuture.io or by phone at +44 7918 693873. Confidentiality will be maintained to the highest degree possible.

Investigation Procedures

Upon receiving a report of a breach, the following steps will be taken:

Initial Assessment: The Designated Safeguarding Officer will conduct an initial assessment to determine the severity and validity of the breach.
Formal Investigation: If warranted, a formal investigation will be launched. This may involve gathering statements, reviewing documentation, and consulting with relevant authorities.
Findings Report: A detailed report of the findings will be compiled, outlining the nature of the breach, the investigation process, and the conclusions reached.
Recommendations: Appropriate actions and recommendations will be made based on the findings.

Consequences of Breaches

Consequences for breaches of the safeguarding policy may include, but are not limited to:

Mandatory retraining on safeguarding policies and procedures.
Formal warnings or reprimands.
Suspension or termination of employment or volunteer status.
Referral to external authorities, such as the police, safeguarding boards or the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).
Where breaches involve trustees, actions may also be reviewed under Clause 6 of the CYF Constitution concerning benefits and conduct of charity trustees.

Appeals Process

Individuals who are subject to disciplinary action as a result of a breach of the safeguarding policy have the right to appeal. In this instance, the procedure outlined in the Complaints and Whistleblowing policy should be followed.

Equality Statement

CYF is committed to diversity and equality, ensuring everyone accessing our services or working with us is safe, empowered, and free from abuse, irrespective of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, or belief.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or prompted by changes in law, best practices, or incidents.

CYF may introduce additional safeguarding procedures or rules, consistent with Clause 26 of the CYF Constitution, to ensure effective implementation of this policy.

Other Relevant Policies

The following Code Your Future policies relate to safeguarding and welfare incidents:

Contact Information

Designated Safeguarding Officer: Alec McCrindle
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer: Claire Bickley
Safeguarding Lead Trustee: Christopher Whalley
Email: safeguarding@codeyourfuture.io
Phone: +44 7918 693873

Publishing This Policy

CYF commits to ensuring this policy is accessible on its website.