Safeguarding
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:
- Checks for roles involving Regulated Activity will include barring-list checks.
- Roles eligible for enhanced checks may be subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
- All DBS information will be processed in accordance with data protection legislation, the CIC’s Data Protection Policy, and fairness to ex-offenders.
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:
- Somia Bibi: [TBA]
- Tillat Kadri: [TBA]
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:
- Receive the information
- Record the information
- Report the concern as above
9. Safeguarding Officer Actions
Where there is a risk of Significant Harm, Safeguarding Officers may:
- Record and log all conversations relating to the issue
- Sign and request signatures on statements and reports
- Seek confidential advice from expert sources
- Share concerns with senior staff or the Chair of the Board (with consent if appropriate)
- Make referrals to social services, police, or other agencies
- Make referrals to the DBS where a person in Regulated Activity has harmed or posed a risk of harm to Beneficiaries.
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:
- Safe Working Practice Guidance
- Health & Safety Policy
- Code of Conduct (Staff and Volunteers)
- Data Protection Policy
- Confidentiality Policy
- Equal Rights and Diversity Policy
- Complaints Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
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.