Safeguarding Policy.

Approved: 21 September 2026. Review due: September 2027, or sooner if legislation, guidance or delivery changes.

Purpose and scope

Fentro CIC believes every young person and adult at risk has the right to be safe, respected, heard and protected from harm. This policy applies to directors, employees, sessional workers, volunteers, contractors, delivery partners and anyone representing Fentro online or in person.

It applies during pre-launch engagement, referral conversations, Discovery Days, training, work experience, employer activities, events, digital communication and any future Fentro programme.

Our commitments

• Put the welfare and best interests of young people first.
• Listen to concerns and take them seriously.
• Create inclusive activities that recognise disability, additional learning needs, culture, identity and individual circumstances.
• Use safer recruitment, appropriate checks, induction, training and clear conduct expectations.
• Plan activities with suitable risk assessments, supervision, consent, accessibility and emergency arrangements.
• Share safeguarding information only where necessary, proportionate and lawful.
• Work with statutory agencies and specialist partners when concerns require it.

Safeguarding responsibility

Fentro’s directors hold overall accountability for safeguarding. A named Designated Safeguarding Lead and deputy will be confirmed for each delivery programme and clearly communicated to participants, families, staff and partners before activity begins. Current concerns can be directed to the Safeguarding Lead at info@fentro.org.uk.

Recognising a concern

A safeguarding concern may include physical, emotional or sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, harassment, discrimination, domestic abuse, criminal or sexual exploitation, online harm, self-harm, radicalisation, financial abuse, unsafe professional practice or any situation in which someone may be at risk.

Reporting a concern

If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is taking place, call 999. Concerns about a child or adult at risk should be reported promptly to Fentro’s Safeguarding Lead. Do not investigate, promise secrecy or confront the person alleged to have caused harm.

Listen calmly, record the facts and the person’s own words as soon as possible, and share the concern only with those who need to act. Fentro will refer to the relevant local authority, police or other statutory service when required.

Responding to disclosures

Anyone receiving a disclosure should explain that the information may need to be passed to someone who can help. The person should be reassured that they have done the right thing by speaking. Records must be factual, dated, securely stored and passed to the Safeguarding Lead without avoidable delay.

Safer people and partnerships

Roles will be assessed to decide whether references, identity checks, qualifications, Disclosure and Barring Service checks or additional vetting are required. Partners hosting activities must provide appropriate safeguarding, insurance, supervision and health and safety assurance. No check replaces active supervision, professional boundaries and prompt reporting.

Professional boundaries and conduct

People representing Fentro must behave respectfully, avoid favouritism and inappropriate physical or personal contact, use approved communication routes, and never form exploitative, sexual or financial relationships with participants. One-to-one activity must be planned, visible and appropriately recorded.

Digital safeguarding

Fentro will use appropriate platforms, privacy settings and communication boundaries. Staff and volunteers must not use personal social accounts to build private relationships with participants. Images, recordings and stories require an appropriate lawful basis and clear permission, and must never compromise dignity or safety.

Allegations about someone working with Fentro

Any concern about a director, worker, volunteer, contractor or partner must be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Lead, or to another director where the concern involves the Safeguarding Lead. Fentro will protect evidence, manage immediate risk, seek statutory advice and avoid internal action that could prejudice an external investigation.

Confidentiality and records

Safeguarding information is confidential but not secret. It will be shared on a need-to-know basis to protect people and meet legal duties. Records will be kept securely, separately from general programme information, with access limited to authorised people.

Pre-launch assurance

The first Fentro pilot is scheduled to commence in October 2026. Before participant delivery begins, Fentro will confirm named safeguarding leads, referral and escalation routes, staff and partner checks, training, consent arrangements, risk assessments and local statutory contacts.

Contact

For a non-emergency safeguarding concern connected with Fentro, email info@fentro.org.uk with the subject “Safeguarding concern”. Do not include unnecessary sensitive detail in the first email. If there is immediate danger, call 999.