Our Commitment To Safeguarding

Valerie Golding Life-Skills Charity is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all young people, participants, volunteers, staff, and community members involved in our programmes and activities.

We believe that every young person has the right to feel safe, valued, heard, and protected from harm.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Purpose Of This Policy

This policy outlines how Valerie Golding Life-Skills Charity aims to:

● protect children and young people from harm

● promote wellbeing and safety

● respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns

● maintain safe working practices

● create a positive and inclusive environment

Who This Policy Applies To

This policy applies to:

● staff members

● volunteers

● mentors

● trustees

● contractors

● programme facilitators

● partner organisations

It also applies to anyone representing the charity in any capacity.

Our Safeguarding Principles

We are committed to:

● treating all young people with dignity and respect

● listening to and valuing young people’s voices

● promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion

● taking all safeguarding concerns seriously

● responding quickly and appropriately to concerns

● ensuring safe recruitment and training practices

Types Of Harm We Recognise

Safeguarding concerns may include:

● physical abuse

● emotional abuse

● sexual abuse

● neglect

● bullying or cyberbullying

● exploitation

● discrimination

● harassment

● online safety risks

● mental health concerns

Safer Recruitment

We aim to ensure that all staff and volunteers working with young people are suitable for their roles.

This may include:

● DBS checks where appropriate

● reference checks

● interviews

● safeguarding training

● clear codes of conduct

Staff & Volunteer Responsibilities

All staff and volunteers are expected to:

● act professionally and respectfully

● maintain appropriate boundaries

● report concerns immediately

● prioritise the wellbeing of young people

● follow safeguarding procedures at all times

Failure to follow safeguarding procedures may result in disciplinary action.

Reporting Concerns

Any safeguarding concerns, disclosures, or incidents should be reported immediately to the designated safeguarding lead.

Concerns may involve:

● abuse or neglect

● inappropriate behaviour

● unsafe situations

● risk of harm

● disclosures from young people

All concerns will be treated seriously and confidentially where possible.

Confidentiality

Information relating to safeguarding concerns will only be shared when necessary:

● to protect individuals

● to meet legal obligations

● to work with safeguarding authorities

We will handle all information sensitively and responsibly.

Online Safety

We recognise the importance of online safety when engaging with young people through:

● social media

● online workshops

● email communication

● digital platforms

We aim to:

● maintain professional communication

● protect personal information

● promote safe online behaviour

Equality & Inclusion

Valerie Golding Life-Skills Charity is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all young people feel:

● respected

● supported

● safe

● represented

We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying, or harassment of any kind.

Concerns About Staff Or Volunteers

Allegations or concerns involving staff or volunteers will be addressed promptly, fairly, and appropriately in line with safeguarding procedures and legal guidance.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective and up to date.

Contact Information

For safeguarding concerns or questions regarding this policy, please contact:

Valerie Golding Life-Skills Charity
📧 info@vglifeskillscharity.co.uk