Safeguarding and child protection
How to raise concerns and how we protect dignity, safety and appropriate boundaries.
Raise a concern
Jato Joseph, Executive Director, is the safeguarding lead. Call +44 7360 093019 and ask for safeguarding. Give a safe contact method and a brief account of the concern. Do not send graphic material or extensive sensitive records through a public form.
If the concern involves Jato Joseph or cannot safely be raised with him, ask for Tallyn Mckale, Founder, through the same route. The website is not an emergency service and is not continuously monitored. If someone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or the appropriate local safeguarding authority without waiting for a website response.
Conduct and dignity
Everyone involved in our work must treat people with dignity and respect. Bullying, harassment, exploitation, abuse, sexual misconduct and discriminatory conduct are unacceptable. Support must never depend on photographs, personal favours, gifts or inappropriate contact.
Staff and volunteers must use approved communication channels and appropriate boundaries. They must not make private arrangements with people receiving support, promise resources without authority or share a person’s story without permission.
Before an activity
The responsible programme lead must assess risks, arrange suitable supervision, identify a local reporting route and explain the conduct expected. Training and checks must match the role and local requirements. A volunteer application alone does not authorise contact with children or adults at risk.
Partners must agree responsibilities for safe delivery and raising concerns. We consider the additional care needed for children, adults at risk and people whose circumstances may make it difficult to report a concern.
Responding and recording
Listen calmly, take the concern seriously and record the information factually. Do not promise secrecy, conduct an unauthorised investigation or confront an alleged perpetrator. Share information only with those who need it to assess safety and respond.
The safeguarding lead considers immediate protection, appropriate referrals to local services or authorities, and a safe follow-up route. Records of safeguarding matters need a separate, restricted handling and retention decision; the general assistance form is not a dedicated safeguarding case-management system.