SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Asian Single Parents Network CIC
1. Introduction
1.1 The Charity Commission’s safeguarding guidance applies
to all charities and CICs, regardless of size, type, or income—not only
those working with children or adults at risk. Trustees and directors must
ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are in place, implemented
effectively, and are appropriate to the organisation’s particular
circumstances.
1.2 This Policy applies to all staff and volunteers of the
CIC. “Volunteers” includes members of the CIC’s Board as well as any other
individual who undertakes work on behalf of the CIC in an unpaid capacity.
2. Commitment to Safeguarding
2.1 Those who receive services, participate in activities,
or otherwise benefit from the CIC’s work, including all individuals who come
onto the CIC’s premises, are referred to as “Beneficiaries” throughout this
Policy.
2.2 Some Beneficiaries may be at increased risk due to age,
illness, disability, personal circumstances, or other vulnerabilities. The CIC
is committed to promoting their welfare and ensuring that appropriate
safeguards are in place to protect them from harm.
2.3 The CIC aims to protect all Beneficiaries from any act
or behaviour by staff or volunteers that could cause harm, whether intentional
or unintentional.
2.4 “Harm” includes—without limitation—physical, sexual,
emotional, discriminatory, institutional/organisational, financial/material
abuse, neglect, or any behaviour that may impair the health, development,
wellbeing, or dignity of Beneficiaries.
2.5 The CIC will ensure that its services are delivered
safely and effectively and will promote the welfare, dignity, and rights of
Beneficiaries at all times.
2.6 The CIC recognises a duty to act upon reports, concerns,
allegations, suspicions, or indicators of abuse or neglect. The CIC operates a
zero-tolerance approach to abuse.
2.7 The CIC maintains Safe Working Practice Guidance,
which includes:
(1) Requirements and processes
for risk assessments of:
a. Volunteering roles;
b. Specific circumstances, activities, events, or sessions.
(2) Guidance on ICT-related
activities, including use of social media, email, messaging systems, and
internet safety.
All staff and volunteers must read, understand, and comply
with this Guidance.
2.8 The CIC will work in partnership with appropriate
statutory and voluntary-sector agencies to ensure effective arrangements for
reporting concerns, making referrals, and accessing training and specialist
support.
3. Safe Recruitment
3.1 The CIC will follow safe recruitment practices for all
staff and volunteer roles to safeguard Beneficiaries.
3.2 At least two references will be obtained before any
appointment to a staff or volunteer role.
3.3 All new staff and volunteers will receive an induction
and appropriate safeguarding training. Refresher training will be provided
regularly. Induction will include a clear explanation of their safeguarding
responsibilities and the obligation to comply with this Policy.
3.4 Where appropriate, the CIC will undertake Disclosure
and Barring Service (DBS) checks:
3.5 Recruitment and HR-related procedures will be reviewed
regularly to remain compliant with changes to law, guidance, or DBS systems.
4. Volunteers
4.1 All volunteers will be supported by a designated
Volunteer Co-ordinator or Supporter.
4.2 Volunteers will be treated fairly and equally, and will
be offered appropriate access to training, responsibility, and recognition.
4.3 Volunteers must adhere to the CIC’s Code of Conduct
(Staff and Volunteers) and will receive a written description of their role and
responsibilities before commencing.
4.4 Any volunteer roles that would constitute Regulated
Activity if unsupervised will be supervised in accordance with statutory
guidance.
5. Safeguarding Officers
5.1 The CIC’s appointed Safeguarding Officer (from 2
March 2026) is:
Shaili Gohil-Desai
Deputy Safeguarding Officers: Aruna Bansal and Tony
Rana
All three will receive appropriate safeguarding training.
5.2 They can be contacted via the official Safeguarding
email address for any concerns relating to the safety or wellbeing of
Beneficiaries, staff, or volunteers.
Designated Safeguarding Email Address: aspnsafeguarding@gmail.com
If the concern relates to a Safeguarding Officer, issues may
be raised with another CIC Director:
5.3 Safeguarding Officers will liaise with relevant
agencies, contribute to policy development, maintain records, ensure
confidentiality, and support individuals experiencing harm or abuse.
6. Awareness of Harm and Abuse
6.1 Any incident of harm involving a Beneficiary requires
prompt and appropriate action to reduce risk and improve CIC practice.
6.2 Harm may arise through accidents, deliberate abuse
(physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, financial), negligence
(intentional or unintentional), bullying, prejudice, exclusion, or failure to
ensure equal participation. Harm may also be caused via ICT (including online
grooming or cyberbullying).
6.3 Deliberate abuse or wilful neglect by staff or
volunteers will result in disciplinary action and referral to statutory
agencies, professional bodies, or the DBS as required. Serious incidents will
be reported to the police where a criminal offence may have occurred.
7. Confidentiality
All safeguarding records will be stored securely in
accordance with the CIC’s Data Protection Policy, Confidentiality Policy, and
the DBS Code of Practice (where applicable). Information will be shared only on
a need-to-know basis and may be shared with statutory agencies where
required.
8. Reports of Possible or Actual Harm
8.1 The CIC encourages all Beneficiaries, staff, and
volunteers to report any concerns, suspicions, disclosures, or allegations
relating to harm or potential harm.
8.2 Staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report
anything they observe, hear, or are told that indicates potential wrongdoing,
harm, or risk.
8.3 Concerns should be reported first to the staff member’s
line manager, who will liaise with the Safeguarding Officer or Deputies. If the
concern involves the line manager, the report should be made directly to a
Safeguarding Officer or a Director.
8.4 Although internal reporting is encouraged, individuals
retain the right to report concerns directly to statutory agencies (e.g. social
services, police).
8.5 The CIC cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality in
safeguarding matters where statutory agencies must be informed.
8.6 The CIC supports whistleblowing in the public interest
and protects individuals who raise genuine concerns.
Child Protection
8.7 Where a staff member or volunteer suspects any form of
abuse or neglect involving a child, they must immediately inform the
Safeguarding Officer, or if unavailable, the Deputy Safeguarding Officer.
8.8 The Safeguarding Officer will determine appropriate
action, record the decision, and report to the Board as soon as possible.
8.9 If urgent action is required and no Safeguarding Officer
is available, staff must contact the police or Emergency Social Work Services.
8.10 Staff or volunteers receiving concerning information
must:
9. Safeguarding Officer Actions
Where there is a risk of Significant Harm, Safeguarding
Officers may:
10. Communication of this Policy
10.1 All staff and volunteers have an obligation to learn
about safeguarding and understand their responsibilities.
10.2 This Policy will be communicated to staff, volunteers,
Beneficiaries, and families/carers in appropriate formats. Responsibility sits
with Shaili Gohil-Desai or Aruna Bansal.
10.3 The CIC will hold meetings and learning sessions to
ensure ongoing awareness, reflection, and improvement in safeguarding
practices.
11. Implementation
11.1 This Policy is mandatory for all staff and volunteers.
Non-compliance will be treated as a serious issue.
11.2 This Policy must be read in conjunction with the CIC’s
related policies, including:
12. Adoption, Commencement, and Review
12.1 This revised Safeguarding Policy was approved by the
Board of Asian Single Parents Network CIC in March 2026.
12.2 The Board will monitor and enforce compliance with this
Policy.
12.3 The next formal review will take place by 1 March
2027, or sooner if required by legislative or organisational changes