Related Policies

This policy sits alongside our Privacy Policy, Data Protection Statement, and Volunteer Code of Conduct.

Age Boundaries

HRE4U is an adult-focused service.

Our support spaces and online support are for adults aged 18 and over.

We do not provide emotional or crisis support to children or young people.

In most cases, people under the age of 18 will not be permitted to remain in HRE4U spaces.

In exceptional circumstances, a child may be present with a parent or guardian where this is safe and appropriate. The parent or guardian remains fully responsible for the child at all times, and HRE4U does not provide supervision or support to children.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

HRE4U CIC is committed to keeping people safe, treating everyone with dignity, and creating spaces where people can feel heard and supported. We are not a crisis or medical service, but we take any concerns about safety seriously and will always respond with care, clarity, and calm boundaries.

Safeguarding is not just about emergencies. It is about noticing risk, setting clear boundaries, and acting early when something does not feel right.

We aim to make sure that no one comes to harm through their involvement with HRE4U, and that everyone feels safe, respected and supported.

Our safeguarding approach aligns with relevant UK safeguarding and data protection legislation.

External Safeguarding Assurance

HRE4U CIC holds the SAFEcic Child and Adult Safeguarding Award, recognising that we have met the recommended safeguarding standards for community organisations.

Awarded: 5 January 2026
Valid until: 4 January 2027

Copies of our safeguarding certificate are available on request. Please email us.

Safeguarding Responsibility

HRE4U has named safeguarding leadership responsible for overseeing safeguarding practice and responding to serious concerns.

Safeguarding Lead: Designated role holder
Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Designated role holder

Sessions do not run unless a Safeguarding Lead or Deputy is physically present.

All volunteers and team members are expected to follow safeguarding principles and raise concerns immediately where needed.

The Safeguarding Lead oversees safeguarding practice, supports volunteers with advice, and makes referrals to statutory services when required.

Safer Recruitment

HRE4U uses a proportionate approach to recruitment that reflects our size, scope and delivery model.

At our current pilot stage, volunteers support alongside the safeguarding leads in open, shared spaces and do not work independently.

Before anyone supports in person, we:

• speak with them directly to understand who they are and what they can offer
• explain boundaries, expectations and safeguarding responsibilities
• reserve the right to decide whether someone is suitable to volunteer

As roles become more regular or involve greater responsibility, we will introduce additional safer recruitment measures, which may include references, DBS checks, and formal role agreements.

Volunteering with HRE4U is not a right, and involvement may be declined or ended at any time if suitability or safety concerns arise.

What Safeguarding Means at HRE4U

Our role is to provide calm information, peer support, and gentle signposting. We are a non-clinical service and do not replace NHS or emergency services.

This means:

• we listen and offer steady, human support
• we provide signposting and practical guidance
• we are not a crisis team or medical provider
• we do not carry out clinical assessments or make medical decisions

Safeguarding concerns may include risk of harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation or severe distress.

Recognising Abuse

Abuse can take many forms and may be deliberate or unintentional. It can happen once or over time.

Signs of abuse or neglect may include changes in behaviour, distress, fear, withdrawal, unexplained injuries, controlling behaviour by others, or disclosures of harm.

Volunteers are not expected to investigate or diagnose abuse. Any concern is taken seriously and escalated in line with our safeguarding procedures.

Who We Mean by an Adult at Risk

An adult at risk is someone aged 18 or over who may need care or support, and who may be unable to protect themselves from harm, abuse or neglect.

This may be because of factors such as mental distress, illness, disability, trauma, substance use, social isolation, or temporary crisis.

Not everyone who accesses HRE4U is an adult at risk. However, we remain alert to changing circumstances and respond appropriately when safeguarding concerns arise.

Confidentiality, Safety and When We May Need to Share Information

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

However, there are rare situations where we may need to share limited information with appropriate services in order to protect safety. This may include situations where:

• someone is at immediate risk of serious harm or death
• there is a serious safeguarding concern involving abuse, neglect, or exploitation
• we believe a crime involving serious harm may be taking place
• a vulnerable person is unable to keep themselves safe

In these situations, we may need to contact emergency services, local safeguarding teams, or other relevant authorities.

We will only ever share the minimum amount of information necessary, and where possible, we will be open and honest with you about what we are doing and why.

HRE4U CIC is not a crisis service, medical provider, or emergency responder. Our role is to offer calm support, information, and signposting. We do not provide emergency intervention.

For full details of how we approach safety, safeguarding, and boundaries, please see our Safeguarding Policy.

Safeguarding in Our Café and Pop-Up Spaces

Our cafés and pop-up spaces are designed to be calm, welcoming and safe environments.

• volunteers who have received safeguarding guidance are present
• a minimum of two adults are present at all times
• the space is supervised and structured
• basic first aid can be offered with clear consent
• our team are first aid trained but not medically qualified
• no physical support is given without consent
• no restraint is used
• no transport is provided
• no home visits or outreach support are provided
• if someone is in immediate danger, emergency services will be contacted

Behaviour, Safety and Boundaries

We aim to keep the environment safe and calm for everyone.

• people under the influence may be supported only if the space can be kept safe
• each situation is assessed on a case-by-case basis
• unsafe behaviour may result in someone being asked to leave
• volunteers do not place themselves at risk
• we may offer support to access other services where appropriate

Sexual harassment, unwanted behaviour, or inappropriate comments are not tolerated.

Any concerns relating to sexual harassment are treated as safeguarding issues and responded to promptly. HRE4U also maintains a separate Sexual Harassment Policy, in line with ACAS guidance.

Age Boundaries

HRE4U is a strictly adult-only service.

Our support spaces and online support are for adults aged 18 and over.

We do not provide emotional or crisis support to children or young people.

Anyone under the age of 18 will not be permitted to remain in HRE4U spaces and will be asked to leave calmly and respectfully.

Record Keeping

All safeguarding concerns are recorded in a clear, factual way.

Records are written factually and without judgement, describing only what was observed, said, or done.

All entries are signed and dated by the person making the record.

Records are stored securely on our internal systems and are only accessible to safeguarding leadership.

If a paper record is needed in the moment, it is securely transferred to our digital system as soon as possible and the paper copy is destroyed.

Safeguarding records are retained securely for a minimum of seven years.

Lone Working

HRE4U does not operate lone working during sessions.

A minimum of two adults are present at all times.

If a session cannot be held safely, the Safeguarding Lead or Deputy will close the session early.

Consent and Capacity

We respect people’s right to make their own decisions and seek consent before offering support.

If someone appears unable to make safe decisions due to distress, illness or vulnerability, we prioritise safety and preservation of life.

If there is immediate risk to life, emergency services may be contacted without consent.

Training and Volunteer Support

Volunteers receive safeguarding and first aid awareness guidance appropriate to their role.

Volunteers are supported through guidance and supervision.

After serious incidents, volunteers are offered emotional support and time to decompress.

Data Protection

We handle personal information carefully and in line with data protection principles. Further details are available in our privacy policy.

Online Safeguarding

Online, we cannot monitor messages in real time or intervene physically.

We can:

• offer guidance and signposting
• encourage people to seek urgent help
• respond with care and clarity

We cannot:

• trace identities or locations
• monitor platforms 24/7
• guarantee instant responses
• replace emergency services

We do not request or store unsafe or explicit images. If unsafe content is received, it is treated as a safeguarding concern.

Whistleblowing and Allegations

Volunteers and staff can raise concerns about unsafe practice without fear of blame.

Concerns about staff, volunteers or safeguarding leads are handled independently.

If concerns cannot be raised safely within HRE4U, they can be escalated directly to external safeguarding bodies or statutory services.

If someone feels a concern has not been handled properly, independent advice can be sought from Protect, the UK’s whistleblowing charity.

External Safeguarding Support

Where appropriate, safeguarding concerns may be escalated to independent third parties and statutory bodies.

This includes local authority safeguarding teams in Sefton and Liverpool, Adult Safeguarding Boards, police, emergency services, and specialist safeguarding organisations such as SAFE CIC.

Equality and Inclusion

Safeguarding is applied equally, regardless of disability, race, gender, sexuality, religion or immigration status.

Risk Awareness

We carry out basic safety checks of venues to reduce risk. This includes awareness of exits, fire safety and layout of spaces.

Policy Review

This policy is reviewed at least once every 12 months and after any serious safeguarding incident.

Safeguarding is treated as an active responsibility and is updated as HRE4U grows.

Feedback and Concerns

If you feel unsafe, unhappy or have concerns about how HRE4U works, you can contact us through our website or email. General complaints are handled separately from safeguarding concerns. Any concern involving safety or risk of harm is treated as safeguarding and prioritised accordingly.