Safeguarding Policy

Protecting and promoting the welfare of every child and young person we work with

Policy Owner: Nathan Green

Date of Issue: 03/09/26

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Nathan Green

Review Date: 03/09/26

1. Statement of Intent

Stepping Stones Mentoring is committed to the safety and welfare of all children and young people in our care.

We believe that every child has the right to be protected from harm, and that safeguarding is the responsibility of every

person involved in delivering our service.

This policy applies to all mentoring sessions, activities, transport, school collections, and any other contact between

Stepping Stones Mentoring staff and the young people we work with.

The welfare of the child is paramount.

This principle underpins every decision made under this policy.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All mentors, volunteers, and staff employed or engaged by Stepping Stones Mentoring

• All young people aged under 18 who receive mentoring support

• Any adult at risk who may come into contact with the service

• All settings in which Stepping Stones Mentoring operates, including community venues, schools, outdoor

spaces, and transport.

3. Legal Framework

This policy has been written in accordance with the following legislation and guidance:

• Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023, where applicable)

• The Children and Social Work Act 2017

• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

• Information sharing: Advice for practitioners (2018)

• General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018

4. Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Stepping Stones Mentoring has a named Designated Safeguarding Lead who is responsible for:

• Receiving and recording all safeguarding concerns

• Referring concerns to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Children's Social Care, or the police

where necessary

• Maintaining secure and confidential safeguarding records

• Ensuring all mentors receive appropriate safeguarding training

• Reviewing and updating this policy at least annually

All Mentors and Staff

Every person working with young people through Stepping Stones Mentoring is responsible for:

• Completing appropriate safeguarding training before working with young people

• Being alert to signs and indicators of abuse or neglect

• Reporting any concern to the DSL immediately and without delay

• Never promising confidentiality to a young person who makes a disclosure

• Following this policy and all associated procedures at all times

5. Recognising Abuse and Neglect

Mentors should be aware of the four main categories of abuse and the indicators associated with each:

Physical Abuse

Includes hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning, or suffocating. Indicators may include unexplained

injuries, bruising in unusual locations, flinching, or wearing clothing to cover injuries.

Emotional Abuse

Persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe and persistent effects on a child's emotional development.

Indicators include low self-esteem, withdrawal, anxiety, age-inappropriate behaviour, or a young person appearing

excessively eager to please.

Sexual Abuse

Forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware. Indicators include

inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviour, withdrawal, self-harm, or disclosures.

Neglect

Persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical or psychological needs. Indicators include poor hygiene,

inadequate clothing, hunger, tiredness, untreated medical conditions, or a child appearing unsupervised.

Additional Safeguarding Concerns

Mentors should also be aware of and alert to:

• Child criminal exploitation (CCE) and county lines

• Child sexual exploitation (CSE)

• Radicalisation and the Prevent duty

• Domestic abuse in the family home

• Female genital mutilation (FGM)

• Online safety and cyberbullying

• Peer-on-peer abuse

6. Responding to a Disclosure

If a young person discloses abuse or makes a statement that causes concern, the mentor must:

1. Stay calm and listen carefully without interrupting

2. Reassure the young person that they have done the right thing by telling someone

3. Make clear that you cannot keep secrets, but that you will only share information with people who can help

4. Ask only open, non-leading questions if clarification is absolutely necessary (e.g. 'Can you tell me more about

that?')

5. Not promise confidentiality or make promises about what will happen next

6. Record what was said as soon as possible, using the young person's own words

7. Report to the DSL immediately and without delay

Do not investigate. Do not confront the alleged abuser. Do not promise the young person that nothing will change.

Your role is to listen, record, and report.

7. Reporting Procedure

All safeguarding concerns must be reported to the DSL as soon as possible. The DSL will:

• Record the concern in writing on the same day

• Assess the level of risk and determine the appropriate response

• Refer to Children's Social Care or the police if there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering or at risk

of suffering significant harm

• Liaise with the school, local authority, or other agencies as appropriate

• Keep the young person informed in an age-appropriate way where it is safe to do so

If the DSL is unavailable and there is an immediate risk of harm, any mentor may contact Children's Social Care or

the police directly without waiting for the DSL.

Warwickshire Children's Social Care: 0800 408 1447 (24 hours) Police (non-emergency): 101 NSPCC

Helpline: 0808 800 5000 In an emergency always call 999

8. Allegations Against Staff or Mentors

If an allegation is made against a mentor, volunteer, or any person connected with Stepping Stones Mentoring, the

following steps will be taken:

• The DSL will be informed immediately

• The person subject to the allegation will be suspended from contact with young people pending investigation

• The LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) will be contacted within one working day

• No internal investigation will be conducted that could compromise a statutory investigation

• The matter will be handled confidentially and only shared on a need-to-know basis

Mentors are reminded that allegations may be made maliciously or in error. All allegations will nonetheless be taken

seriously and handled in accordance with this procedure.

9. Safe Working Practice

To protect both young people and mentors, the following standards of safe working practice apply at all times:

• Mentors will not have unsupervised, unplanned, or unauthorised contact with young people

• Physical contact will only occur where it is appropriate, necessary, and consented to (e.g. a handshake or

supportive pat on the shoulder in context)

• Mentors will not make or accept friend requests or follow young people on personal social media accounts

• All communication with young people will be through agreed channels and, where possible, with parental

awareness

• Mentors will not transport young people in a personal vehicle without written parental consent

• Sessions will be recorded in a log, including location, duration, and any concerns noted

• Mentors will not meet young people in private locations away from the agreed session plan

10. Recruitment and Training

Stepping Stones Mentoring is committed to safe recruitment. All mentors and volunteers will:

• Complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before commencing work

• Provide references which will be verified before appointment

• Complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role prior to working with young people

• Undertake refresher safeguarding training at least every two years

• Read and sign this Safeguarding Policy as part of their induction

11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Stepping Stones Mentoring understands the importance of confidentiality and handles all personal information in

accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

However, confidentiality is not absolute. Information will be shared with relevant agencies without consent where:

• There is reasonable cause to believe a child is at risk of significant harm

• There is a legal obligation to share the information

• Sharing is necessary to prevent serious harm to the young person or others

Young people will be made aware at the start of the mentoring relationship that there are limits to confidentiality, and

that their safety will always take priority.

12. Record Keeping

All safeguarding concerns, disclosures, and actions taken will be recorded in writing on the same day they occur.

Records will:

• Be factual, objective, and written in plain language

• Include dates, times, locations, and the exact words used by the young person where possible

• Be stored securely and accessed only by those with a legitimate need

• Be retained in accordance with data protection legislation and relevant guidance

• Be made available to statutory agencies upon request

13. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there is a change in legislation, guidance, or following any

significant safeguarding incident. All mentors will be notified of any updates and required to re-read and re-sign the

policy.

Declaration

I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Safeguarding Policy.