Heritage Life Horizons

Heritage Life Horizons

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

1. Policy Purpose & Commitment to Safeguard Children

Heritage Life Horizons (HLH) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in all aspects of its work. We recognise that safeguarding is a fundamental responsibility and that the welfare of the child is paramount in accordance with the Children Act 1989.

This policy aims to:

  • Protect children and young people who participate in HLH activities
  • Provide clear guidance for staff, directors, volunteers and associates
  • Ensure compliance with Welsh safeguarding legislation
  • Promote a culture of vigilance, transparency and accountability
  • Ensure concerns are responded to appropriately and promptly

We are committed to:

  • Preventing harm and abuse
  • Identifying risks early
  • Acting in the best interests of children
  • Working in partnership with schools, families and statutory authorities

Safeguarding is embedded within governance, operational planning and programme delivery.

2. Legal & Policy Context

This policy operates within the framework of:

Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
Working Together to Safeguard People (Wales)
Keeping Learners Safe (Welsh Government)
Social Care Wales Codes of Professional Practice
The Children Act 1989 and 2004
Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)
Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

HLH recognises its duty to:

  • Safeguard children at risk
  • Cooperate with Local Safeguarding Boards
  • Share information appropriately to protect children
  • Refer concerns to relevant statutory services

Where delivery occurs internationally, equivalent safeguarding standards will be upheld alongside Welsh statutory expectations.

3. Roles & Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Geraint Turner

[email protected]

The DSL is responsible for:

  • • Acting as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns
  • • Receiving, recording and assessing concerns
  • • Determining whether referral thresholds are met
  • • Making referrals to Local Authority Safeguarding Teams
  • • Liaising with statutory agencies
  • • Ensuring safeguarding records are securely maintained
  • • Monitoring policy implementation
  • • Ensuring annual review of this policy

Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Alex Simpson

[email protected]

The Deputy DSL supports safeguarding processes and assumes responsibility in the DSL's absence.

Directors, Staff, Volunteers & Associates

All individuals must:

  • Read and comply with this policy
  • Recognise potential indicators of abuse
  • Report concerns immediately
  • Maintain professional boundaries
  • Undertake safeguarding training appropriate to their role

Safeguarding is a collective responsibility.

4. Recruitment & Safer Working Practices

HLH applies safer recruitment principles consistent with Welsh safeguarding guidance.

Where work involves direct contact with children:

  • Enhanced DBS checks will be obtained
  • Identity verification will be completed
  • References may be requested
  • Safeguarding expectations will be clearly outlined

Safer working practices include:

Maintaining professional boundaries
Avoiding private meetings with children without appropriate supervision
Prohibiting personal digital contact
Ensuring appropriate adult-to-child ratios during activities
Ensuring photography and recording only occurs with consent

Any allegation against staff or representatives will be handled in accordance with Welsh safeguarding procedures and referred appropriately.

5. Types of Abuse (Summary)

HLH recognises the following categories of abuse as defined in Welsh safeguarding guidance:

Physical Abuse

Deliberate physical harm including hitting, shaking, burning or otherwise causing injury.

Emotional Abuse

Persistent emotional ill-treatment which may include humiliation, threats, rejection, isolation or exposure to domestic abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Forcing or enticing a child to participate in sexual activities, including online exploitation or exposure to inappropriate content.

Neglect

Failure to meet a child's basic physical or emotional needs, including lack of supervision, nutrition, medical care or protection.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

A form of sexual abuse involving manipulation or coercion in exchange for something of value.

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

Including involvement in criminal activity such as county lines.

Online Abuse

Abuse conducted via digital platforms, including grooming, harassment or exploitation.

Radicalisation

Exposure to extremist ideology leading to harm or risk of harm.

Staff are expected to remain vigilant to signs and indicators of all forms of abuse.

6. Recognising & Responding to Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may arise from:

Direct disclosure

Observed behaviour

Third-party information

Online interactions

If a child discloses:

1
Listen calmly
2
Do not promise confidentiality
3
Avoid leading questions
4
Reassure the child
5
Record information factually

All concerns must be reported immediately to the DSL.

HLH does not investigate allegations independently. Concerns are referred to statutory authorities where appropriate.

7. Reporting & Referral Procedures

When a concern is identified:

1
Report immediately to the DSL
2
The DSL records the concern in writing
3
The DSL assesses the risk and threshold
4
If necessary, a referral is made to the Local Authority Safeguarding Team
If immediate danger is suspected, emergency services will be contacted

All referrals will follow Welsh safeguarding procedures.

8. Training Requirements & Staff Awareness

HLH ensures:

DSL Training

DSL and Deputy DSL undertake appropriate safeguarding training

Regular Refreshers

Training is refreshed regularly

Staff Awareness

All personnel receive safeguarding awareness guidance

Induction

Induction includes safeguarding responsibilities

Training will be proportionate to role and reviewed periodically.

9. Record Keeping & Confidentiality

Safeguarding records will:

Be factual and contemporaneous
Be dated and signed
Be stored securely
Be accessible only to authorised individuals

Information will be shared on a need-to-know basis to safeguard children.

Data handling complies with:

Data Protection Act 2018 UK GDPR

Records will be retained in accordance with legal requirements.

10. Online & Digital Safeguarding

HLH ensures:

Consent Procedures

Consent procedures are followed

Approved Platforms

Approved platforms are used

No Private Contact

No private digital contact occurs

Media Use

Media use complies with consent policies

Digital safeguarding is considered in all programme design.

11. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

  • Legislation changes
  • Welsh guidance updates
  • Organisational changes occur
  • An incident identifies improvement areas

Last Reviewed:

16/02/2026

Next Review Due:

16/02/2027

Contact

For safeguarding enquiries:

[email protected]

Designated Safeguarding Lead