Safeguarding Policy

Practitioner Name: Naomi Withers, Founder and Director of The HRologist Ltd (Registered Company UK: 15461549)

Date of Policy: 10 September 2025

Policy Review Date: 22 June 2027

1. Introduction and purpose

This policy outlines my commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. My primary duty of care is to the clients I work with, and this extends to any children and other vulnerable individuals who may be affected by my work.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure clear, consistent procedures for recognising, responding to, recording, and escalating safeguarding concerns that may arise during delivery.

This policy is guided by UK legislation and statutory guidance, including (as applicable): the Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and Keeping Children Safe in Education (for school-based contexts).

2. Roles, responsibilities, and scope (single-practitioner model)

Because The HRologist Ltd is delivered by a sole practitioner (and may also use associates/partners by agreement), I use the following model:

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL-equivalent): Naomi Withers (sole practitioner). I act as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns in my own delivery contexts and I hold responsibility for escalation and record-keeping.

  • In schools/MATs / settings with their own statutory safeguarding structure: the setting’s DSL / safeguarding lead and procedures are the primary route. I will always follow the setting’s named route and any site-specific rules agreed before delivery.

  • Delivery partners / associates: where I work with partners, each party remains responsible for their own safeguarding practice, training, and safer recruitment checks, and we agree the escalation interface and reporting route before delivery begins.

3. Recognising signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation

I recognise that abuse, neglect, and exploitation can take many forms. Key categories include:

  • Physical abuse: intentional physical harm (e.g., hitting, shaking, burning/scalding).

  • Emotional abuse: persistent emotional mistreatment causing severe and adverse effects (e.g., humiliation, threats, rejection, coercive control).

  • Sexual abuse: forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities (including online sexual abuse).

  • Neglect: persistent failure to meet basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in serious impairment.

I remain alert to additional safeguarding risks including online safety, domestic abuse, radicalisation, criminal exploitation, and peer-on-peer abuse (where relevant to the setting).

4. Responding to a safeguarding concern (procedure)

If a disclosure is made, or I have a concern about the safety or welfare of a child or vulnerable adult, I follow these steps:

Step 1: Respond calmly and listen

I listen carefully and non-judgementally. I do not investigate or ask leading questions. I do not promise confidentiality where safeguarding risk may exist. I reassure the person they have done the right thing by sharing.

Step 2: Make a record

I make a detailed, factual record as soon as possible (and where relevant, in line with the setting’s required system). The record includes:

  • Date/time of disclosure or concern

  • Names of individuals involved (as known)

  • A factual account of what was said/observed (using the person’s own words where possible)

  • Any immediate actions taken and who was informed

Step 3: Assess risk and escalate / report

My duty to report a safeguarding concern overrides client confidentiality.

  • Immediate danger / urgent risk: call 999 (Police and/or Ambulance) without delay.

  • School/MAT setting: follow the setting’s procedure immediately and escalate to the DSL / safeguarding leadusing the agreed route.

  • Child safeguarding (non-immediate but significant concern): contact the relevant Local Authority Children’s Social Care / Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for advice/referral.

  • Adult safeguarding (vulnerable adults): contact the relevant Local Authority Adult Safeguarding team for advice/referral.

  • Unsure about threshold: seek advice via the NSPCC professional helpline 0808 800 5000 and/or the setting’s DSL (where applicable).

5. Allegations, low-level concerns, and concerns about professionals (including me)

Safeguarding includes concerns about professional conduct and boundaries.

  • In schools/MATs/education settings: I follow the setting’s policy for allegations against staff and low-level concerns. Where the concern relates to a person in a position of trust, the setting may need to consider the LADO / Local Authority Designated Officer route (as per their procedures).

  • If the concern relates to me (Naomi Withers): I will support the setting to escalate through their formal route and I will cooperate fully with any safeguarding or statutory process. I will step back from delivery immediately where required for safety and integrity.

  • In non-school contexts: I will seek appropriate safeguarding advice and follow statutory escalation routes where relevant.

6. Safer working practices

To maintain a safe professional environment, I commit to:

  • Professional boundaries: clear, appropriate boundaries with clients and participants; no “secrets”; no private arrangements that bypass agreed safeguarding routes.

  • Training: safeguarding training is kept current with appropriate providers (e.g., NSPCC) and refreshed regularly.

  • Supervision: I attend professional supervision to support safe, reflective practice.

  • Information sharing: information is shared on a need-to-know basis, in line with safeguarding and data protection requirements, and with the setting’s requirements where applicable.

7. Policy review

This policy is reviewed annually (or sooner if legislation, statutory guidance, or delivery scope changes).