1. Our commitment

The Healing Hubs takes its safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. The welfare of the people we support is our highest priority.

We are committed to creating a culture where concerns are raised openly, listened to, and acted upon promptly.

We comply with all relevant legislation, including the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

2. Designated Safeguarding Lead

We have a named Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who is responsible for overseeing all safeguarding matters within the organisation.

All safeguarding concerns must be reported to the DSL in the first instance. If the DSL is unavailable, concerns should be escalated to a Deputy DSL, a senior member of staff, or directly to the relevant statutory authority.

The DSL will assess each concern and decide whether to refer to Adult Social Care, Children's Services, or the police.

It is the policy of The Healing Hubs to refer all safeguarding matters to the DSL or Deputy DSL in the first instance. The DSL will assess the concern and decide whether and how to involve outside organisations, including statutory agencies, health services, and third-sector partners.

3. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, trustees, and contractors working with or on behalf of The Healing Hubs.

It covers all activities delivered by The Healing Hubs, including in-person community hubs, telephone befriending, and any digital communications.

4. Types of abuse

Abuse can take many forms. All staff and volunteers are trained to recognise the signs of each type and to understand their reporting responsibilities.

Physical abuse — including hitting, pushing, or inappropriate restraint.

Emotional or psychological abuse — including threats, humiliation, or coercive control.

Financial or material abuse — including theft, fraud, or misuse of property.

Sexual abuse — including any sexual activity without informed consent.

Neglect — including failure to provide adequate care, food, warmth, or medical attention.

Discriminatory abuse — including abuse based on race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Institutional abuse — including poor care practices within a service or organisation.

Modern slavery — including trafficking, forced labour, or domestic servitude.

5. Reporting concerns

If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of anyone — whether a service user, colleague, or volunteer — you must report it to the DSL immediately. Do not delay.

Record what you have seen or heard factually and accurately. Do not investigate the concern yourself. Do not promise confidentiality to anyone disclosing abuse.

In an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, call 999 first. Then notify the DSL or a member of management as soon as possible — do not wait until the next working day.

For all non-emergency concerns, report to the DSL or Deputy DSL in the first instance. They will decide whether and how to refer to Adult Social Care, Children's Services, or any other outside organisation.

6. Safer recruitment

The Healing Hubs follows a safer recruitment process for all staff and volunteers. This includes application forms, interviews, references, and DBS checks at the appropriate level.

All applicants are asked to declare any relevant convictions, cautions, or current investigations by the police or a regulatory body, even where no charge or conviction has resulted.

A positive DBS disclosure will not automatically disqualify a candidate — each case is considered on its individual merits.

7. Training

All staff and volunteers complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role before starting work with The Healing Hubs.

Mandatory training includes Safeguarding Adults, Safeguarding Children, and Prevent Duty Training. Refresher training is provided regularly and records are maintained.

8. Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns override normal confidentiality obligations. Information may be shared with statutory agencies without consent where there is a risk of serious harm.

All information is handled sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.

9. Related policies

This overview should be read alongside our Safeguarding Adults Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy, which provide detailed guidance for specific groups.

It should also be read in conjunction with our Safer Recruitment Policy, Telephone Befriending Volunteers Policy, Code of Conduct, and Professional Boundaries Policy.