Who We Are

"We", "us", and "our" mean HRE4U CIC and, where the context requires, people authorised to act on its behalf.

HRE4U CIC

Company Number: 16856183

Policy Information

Policy owner: Designated Safeguarding Lead
Approved by: HRE4U CIC Board of Directors
Approval date: 13 August 2026
Version: 2.0
Last reviewed: 13 August 2026
Next review due: 13 August 2027

Who We Mean by an Adult at Risk

For the purposes of this policy, an adult at risk is someone aged 18 or over who:

• has needs for care and support, whether or not those needs are currently being met
• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
• as a result of those needs, is unable to protect themselves from the abuse or neglect, or the risk of it

Care and support needs, levels of risk, and a person's ability to protect themselves can change over time.

Not everyone who accesses Our services is an adult at risk. However, We remain alert to changing circumstances and respond whenever safeguarding concerns arise.

Age Boundaries

Our services, support spaces, and activities are intended for people aged 18 and over.

We do not provide ongoing emotional support, crisis support, supervision, or activities for children or young people.

People under the age of 18 will not normally be permitted to remain in Our community café or take part in Our activities.

In exceptional circumstances, the Safeguarding Lead may allow someone under 18 to remain temporarily where refusing entry could create or increase an immediate welfare or safety risk.

If someone under 18 arrives alone and appears to be in immediate danger, We will not simply turn them away. They may remain temporarily in an open, supervised space while the Safeguarding Lead contacts an appropriate responsible adult, emergency service, local authority service, or another suitable source of help.

Where a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult is present, they remain responsible for the child or young person at all times.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to keeping people safe, treating everyone with dignity, and creating spaces where people feel welcomed, heard, and supported.

We are a non-clinical service and not an emergency service. However, We take all concerns about safety seriously and respond with care, clarity, and appropriate action.

Safeguarding is not limited to responding to emergencies. It includes recognising risk, respecting boundaries, listening without judgement, and acting early when something does not feel right.

We take reasonable and proportionate steps to prevent harm arising through involvement with Our services and to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

External Safeguarding Assurance

We hold the SAFEcic Child and Adult Safeguarding Award. This recognises that Our safeguarding arrangements have been independently assessed against recommended standards for community organisations.

Awarded: 5 January 2026
Valid until: 4 January 2027

SAFEcic also provides independent safeguarding advice where appropriate. A copy of Our current safeguarding certificate is available on request. Please contact us if you would like a copy.

Safeguarding Responsibility

We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL) who oversee safeguarding across HRE4U.

Before each community café session, either the DSL or Deputy DSL is appointed as the Safeguarding Lead for that session.

We do not operate a session unless the appointed Safeguarding Lead is physically present.

The Safeguarding Lead for the session oversees safeguarding practice, provides advice and support to the team, considers any concerns raised, and makes or manages referrals to appropriate services where necessary.

All directors and volunteers must follow Our safeguarding policy and procedures and report concerns promptly to the Safeguarding Lead.

Safer Recruitment

We follow a proportionate safer recruitment process based on the responsibilities and safeguarding risks associated with each role.

We may receive volunteer applications or introductions through trusted external recruitment organisations. However, all decisions about suitability, appointment, supervision, and continued involvement are made by HRE4U.

Before someone begins volunteering with Us, We:

• interview them and assess their suitability for the role
• confirm their identity
• seek appropriate references
• provide a clear role description
• explain Our boundaries, expectations, and safeguarding responsibilities
• require them to agree to Our Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct
• provide safeguarding training appropriate to their role
• arrange an appropriate DBS check where the role is eligible and requires one

A volunteer may attend a session while an arranged DBS check is being processed. During this period, they remain directly supervised, work only in open and shared spaces, and are not permitted to work independently, manage safeguarding concerns, or access safeguarding records.

Access to safeguarding records remains restricted to the DSL and Deputy DSL after a volunteer's DBS check has been completed.

DBS checks are renewed at least every three years unless the person is subscribed to the DBS Update Service and We carry out and record appropriate status checks.

Directors and volunteers must tell Us promptly about any relevant investigation, charge, caution, conviction, safeguarding concern, or other change that may affect their suitability.

We may decline, suspend, restrict, or end someone's involvement where there are concerns about their suitability, conduct, boundaries, or the safety of others.

What Safeguarding Means at HRE4U

We provide calm, non-clinical support through conversation, peer support, practical information, signposting, and referrals.

We are not an NHS service, healthcare provider, or emergency service, and We do not replace professional medical, mental health, or emergency support.

This means We:

• listen without judgement and offer calm, human support
• provide information, signposting, and practical help where appropriate
• help people access professional or emergency services when additional support is needed
• may provide immediate non-clinical crisis support to help someone remain safe while appropriate help is arranged
• do not diagnose mental health or medical conditions
• do not carry out clinical assessments, provide counselling or therapy, prescribe treatment, or make medical decisions

Where someone may be at immediate risk of serious harm, We may remain with them, offer calm support, contact an appropriate service or trusted person, and call the emergency services where necessary.

Safeguarding concerns may include abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-neglect, domestic abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour, serious self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or any other situation in which someone may be at risk of harm.

Recognising Abuse

Abuse can take many forms and may involve a single incident or a pattern of behaviour. It can happen to anyone and may be deliberate or arise through neglect or a failure to act.

Forms of abuse may include:

• physical abuse
• domestic abuse
• sexual abuse or exploitation
• psychological or emotional abuse
• financial or material abuse
• modern slavery
• discriminatory abuse
• organisational abuse
• neglect or acts of omission
• self-neglect

Possible signs may include fear, distress, withdrawal, unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour or circumstances, controlling or coercive behaviour by another person, unmet care needs, deterioration in living conditions, unexplained financial difficulties, or somebody disclosing that they have been harmed.

If you are experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation, or feel unsafe, We encourage you to visit Our Help page for information about specialist organisations and support services.

We do not expect directors or volunteers to investigate, diagnose, or prove that abuse has taken place. Concerns should be reported promptly so they can be considered and responded to under Our safeguarding procedures.

Responding to a Safeguarding Concern

If someone tells Us that they have been harmed, or if We become concerned about someone's safety, We will listen calmly, take the concern seriously, and consider whether anyone is at immediate risk.

We will allow the person to explain what has happened in their own words. We will not investigate the concern, ask leading questions, confront the person alleged to have caused harm, or promise complete confidentiality.

The concern will be reported promptly to the Safeguarding Lead for the session and recorded accurately, using the person's own words wherever possible.

The Safeguarding Lead will consider:

• whether anyone is in immediate danger
• the nature and seriousness of the concern
• the person's wishes and individual circumstances
• whether consent should be sought before information is shared
• whether safeguarding advice, a referral, or immediate action is required

If someone is in immediate danger, requires urgent medical assistance, or may be at immediate risk of serious harm, We will contact the emergency services.

Confidentiality, Safety and Information Sharing

We respect your privacy and aim to keep what you share with Us confidential.

We cannot promise complete confidentiality. There may be circumstances in which it is necessary and lawful to share limited information with an appropriate person or service to protect somebody from harm.

This may include situations where:

• someone is at immediate risk of serious harm or death
• there is a serious concern involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect
• an adult at risk may be unable to protect themselves from harm
• another person may also be at risk
• seeking consent could place someone at greater risk
• a serious crime may have been committed or may be taking place
• We are required or otherwise permitted to share information by law

Depending on the circumstances, We may contact emergency services, the police, a local authority safeguarding team, a healthcare professional, or another relevant authority or support service.

Consent will normally be sought before information is shared. However, information may be shared without consent where this is necessary and proportionate to protect life, prevent serious harm, protect another person, or meet a legal or safeguarding responsibility.

We will only share information that is relevant and necessary. Where it is safe and appropriate, We will explain what is being shared, who it is being shared with, and why.

Safeguarding in Our Community Café and In-Person Activities

We aim to provide a calm, welcoming, and safe environment where people feel respected, supported, and able to seek help.

To help keep Our sessions and activities safe, We:

• ensure an appointed Safeguarding Lead is physically present throughout every session
• ensure at least two HRE4U team members are present during every session and public-facing off-site activity
• provide support in open and shared spaces
• may hold sensitive conversations out of earshot, but ensure they remain observable by another HRE4U team member
• maintain appropriate professional and personal boundaries
• use authorised HRE4U contact details and accounts rather than personal phone numbers, email addresses, or social media accounts
• store safeguarding records only within Our secure online safeguarding system
• use HRE4U-owned devices to access safeguarding information wherever possible and strongly discourage access from personal devices
• do not download, copy, photograph, or store safeguarding information locally on personal devices
• allow only the DSL and Deputy DSL to access safeguarding records
• ensure appropriately trained team members may provide emergency first aid where necessary, with consent where the person is able to give it
• contact 999 where urgent medical assistance or emergency intervention is required
• do not use planned or routine physical restraint
• do not expect team members to place themselves at risk or physically intervene
• take reasonable steps to protect life and move others to safety during an immediate emergency
• do not transport service users or undertake home visits as part of Our services

Behaviour, Safety and Boundaries

We aim to keep Our community café and activities calm, respectful, and safe for everyone.

• people who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be supported only where this can be done safely
• each situation is considered individually, taking account of the person's needs, behaviour, level of risk, and the safety of everyone present
• threatening, abusive, discriminatory, sexually inappropriate, or otherwise unsafe behaviour is not accepted
• someone may be asked to change their behaviour or leave the session if their conduct places themselves or others at risk or prevents the session from operating safely
• directors and volunteers are not expected to place themselves at risk or physically intervene
• We may contact emergency services where there is an immediate risk of serious harm
• We may offer information and signposting to help someone access a more appropriate service

Sexual harassment, unwanted sexual behaviour, and inappropriate sexual comments are not tolerated.

Any concern involving sexual harassment will be taken seriously and may also be treated as a safeguarding concern. It will be responded to promptly under Our safeguarding procedures and separate Sexual Harassment Policy.

Record Keeping

We record safeguarding concerns in a clear, factual, accurate, and proportionate way.

Records distinguish between what was observed, what was disclosed, and what action was taken. The person's own words are used wherever possible, and personal opinions or assumptions are avoided.

Safeguarding records are dated, attributed to the person making the record, and stored securely within Our internal safeguarding system.

Access is strictly limited to the DSL and Deputy DSL responsible for managing safeguarding concerns, unless wider access is required by law or is necessary and proportionate to protect someone from harm.

If a paper record is created during a session, it is transferred securely to Our digital safeguarding system as soon as reasonably possible. Once the transfer has been checked for accuracy and completeness, the paper copy is securely destroyed unless there is a justified reason to retain it.

Safeguarding records are retained under Our record-retention schedule, taking account of the nature of the concern and any applicable safeguarding, legal, regulatory, and insurance requirements. Records are securely deleted when there is no longer a justified reason to retain them.

Lone Working and Private Appointments

HRE4U directors and volunteers do not work alone during Our community café, in-person activities, donation collections, fundraising stalls, or other public-facing work.

At least two HRE4U team members are present throughout every community café session, including the appointed Safeguarding Lead.

If appropriate staffing or safeguarding cover cannot be maintained, or the session can no longer operate safely, We may suspend an activity or close the session early.

HRE4U support conversations take place in the shared hall. A sensitive conversation may be held out of earshot to protect confidentiality, but it remains observable by another HRE4U team member.

HRE4U does not use the private upstairs office to provide unobserved or unsupervised one-to-one support to service users.

Independent partner organisations and professional providers may meet people privately in the designated office. They remain responsible for their professional practice, insurance, safeguarding arrangements, records, and lone-working procedures.

If HRE4U becomes aware of a safeguarding concern arising during an external provider's appointment, We will record and respond to it under Our safeguarding procedures and contact the provider's safeguarding lead where appropriate.

Consent and Capacity

We respect each person's right to make their own decisions and seek consent before providing support, sharing information, or taking action wherever possible.

Adults are presumed to have capacity to make their own decisions. A person is not treated as lacking capacity simply because they make a decision that other people consider unwise.

We take reasonable steps to help people understand relevant information, consider their options, communicate their wishes, and make their own decisions.

We do not carry out formal assessments of mental capacity. Where there is significant uncertainty about someone's ability to make a particular decision, We may seek advice or support from an appropriate professional or statutory service.

Where there is an immediate or serious risk of harm, We may contact emergency services or another appropriate service without consent where this is necessary and proportionate to protect life or prevent serious harm.

Training and Volunteer Support

Every HRE4U director and volunteer receives induction, safeguarding guidance, and safeguarding training appropriate to their role and responsibilities.

Safeguarding training is arranged through Our independent safeguarding partner, SAFEcic. Refresher training is completed at least annually and may be provided sooner where guidance, responsibilities, services, or identified risks change.

Additional training, including first aid, suicide awareness, suicide intervention, food safety, and role-specific training, is provided where relevant to a person's responsibilities.

Directors and volunteers receive clear guidance and supervision and can seek advice from the DSL or Deputy DSL whenever they are uncertain about a safeguarding matter.

Following a serious or distressing incident, team members are offered an opportunity to debrief, access appropriate emotional support, and step away from their duties where necessary.

We review training needs regularly and following incidents, changes in practice, or the identification of new safeguarding risks.

Data Protection

We handle personal and safeguarding information carefully, lawfully, and only for clear and necessary purposes.

We collect and retain only information that is relevant and proportionate to the concern being managed.

Safeguarding records are stored within Our secure internal safeguarding system. Access is restricted to the DSL and Deputy DSL unless wider access is required by law or is necessary and proportionate to protect someone from harm.

Where safeguarding information must be communicated internally, We use authorised HRE4U email accounts or secure internal systems. Personal email accounts and personal social media accounts must not be used.

HRE4U-owned devices should be used to access safeguarding information wherever possible. If exceptional access from a personal device is necessary, safeguarding information must not be downloaded, copied, photographed, or stored locally on that device.

Information is not shared more widely than necessary and is retained and securely deleted under Our record-retention arrangements.

Further information about how We collect, use, store, and protect personal information is available in Our Privacy Policy.

Remote Safeguarding

Our website, email, telephone, and WhatsApp channels are primarily used for general enquiries, café information, bookings, practical information, and signposting.

We do not provide ongoing emotional or crisis support through these channels. They are not monitored continuously, and We cannot guarantee an immediate response, confirm a person's identity or location, or intervene physically.

If someone unexpectedly shares information indicating that they or another person may be at risk of harm, We may:

• respond calmly and explain the limits of Our remote service
• provide relevant information and signposting
• encourage them to contact 999, emergency services, or another appropriate service where urgent help may be needed
• take reasonable and proportionate safeguarding action based on the information available
• record relevant information within Our secure safeguarding system

We do not ask people to send explicit, graphic, or otherwise unsafe images or recordings. If this content is received, it may be treated as a safeguarding concern and handled under this policy.

Routine WhatsApp conversations are deleted after the enquiry has concluded unless there is a clear administrative, safeguarding, or legal reason to retain relevant information.

Any information retained following a remote safeguarding concern is handled under Our Data Protection section and Our Privacy Policy.

Whistleblowing and Allegations

Directors, volunteers, external providers, and others working with Us are encouraged to raise concerns about unsafe, unlawful, abusive, or inappropriate practice without fear of unfair treatment or blame.

Any allegation or concern involving a director, volunteer, external provider, or another person acting on behalf of HRE4U will be taken seriously and considered by someone who is not directly involved wherever possible.

Where a concern involves the DSL, it will be managed by the Deputy DSL. Where it involves the Deputy DSL, it will be managed by the DSL.

If a concern involves both safeguarding leads, neither is available, or an internal response would not be sufficiently independent, We will seek advice or support from SAFEcic and/or the relevant local authority safeguarding team. The police, emergency services, or another appropriate authority will be contacted where necessary.

No one should investigate an allegation themselves, confront the person involved, or promise complete confidentiality. Information will only be shared with those who need it to consider the concern, protect someone from harm, or meet a legal responsibility.

Anyone who feels unable to raise a concern safely with Us, or believes that a concern has not been handled appropriately, may seek independent advice from Protect.

External Safeguarding Support

We recognise that some safeguarding concerns require advice, information sharing, or action beyond HRE4U.

Depending on the circumstances, We may seek advice from or share relevant information with:

• SAFEcic
• local authority adult or child safeguarding teams in Sefton, Liverpool, or another relevant area
• the police or emergency services
• healthcare or mental health professionals
• a regulator or another statutory authority
• an appropriate specialist safeguarding or support organisation

Where a concern arises in connection with an external provider, We may also contact that organisation's safeguarding lead or another appropriate senior person.

Any information shared externally will be limited to what is relevant and necessary to protect someone from harm, respond appropriately to a safeguarding concern, or meet a legal responsibility.

Equality and Inclusion

We apply Our safeguarding responsibilities fairly, respectfully, and without discrimination.

No safeguarding concern will be dismissed or treated less seriously because of a person's age, disability, race, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, relationship status, pregnancy or maternity, immigration status, financial circumstances, or any other personal characteristic or circumstance.

We recognise that some people may face additional barriers when seeking help, communicating what has happened, or accessing appropriate support.

Where reasonably possible, We will make adjustments to help people understand information, communicate safely, express their wishes, and access appropriate services.

We aim to respond in a way that respects each person's identity, dignity, communication needs, culture, and individual circumstances.

Risk Awareness

We take a proportionate approach to identifying, recording, and reducing risks within Our community café, activities, and public-facing work.

We maintain written risk assessments for Our key activities and review them when circumstances, venues, responsibilities, or risks change.

Before and during each session, We remain alert to matters including emergency exits, fire arrangements, accessibility, room layout, trip hazards, food safety, private meeting spaces, staffing levels, and any change that could affect people's safety.

Where an activity or situation presents additional risks, We may complete further checks, require evidence of an external provider's insurance and safety arrangements, introduce additional safeguards, change how the activity operates, or decide that it cannot proceed safely.

Directors, volunteers, external providers, and people using Our services are encouraged to report hazards, incidents, near misses, or other safety concerns promptly so that appropriate action can be taken.

Policy Review

We review this policy at least once every 12 months to ensure that it remains accurate, effective, and appropriate for the way HRE4U operates.

The policy may be reviewed sooner following:

• a serious safeguarding incident or significant concern
• feedback or a complaint identifying a possible gap
• a change in law, official guidance, or safeguarding practice
• a change to Our services, activities, venue, team, or external-provider arrangements
• the identification of a new or significantly changed risk

Lessons from incidents, concerns, feedback, training, and changes in practice are used to strengthen this policy and Our wider safeguarding arrangements.

Any material amendment is reviewed and approved by the HRE4U CIC Board of Directors.

Feedback and Concerns

We welcome feedback about Our services and encourage people to raise concerns as early as possible.

If you feel unsafe, are unhappy with how We have responded, or have concerns about the conduct of a director, volunteer, external provider, or anyone acting on behalf of HRE4U, please contact us.

General complaints are managed through Our complaints process. Any concern involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, misconduct, or a risk of harm will be treated as a safeguarding concern and responded to under this policy.

If your concern involves both the DSL and Deputy DSL, or you do not feel able to raise it safely with HRE4U, you may contact SAFEcic, the relevant local authority safeguarding team, the police, or another appropriate authority directly.

If someone is in immediate danger or there is an immediate risk to life, call 999.

We take all feedback and concerns seriously and aim to respond fairly, respectfully, and as promptly as reasonably possible.