1. Introduction

Young Minders – The Home Education Hub (“the Charity”) is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults who engage with our services.

As an organisation supporting home-educating families, including those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, we recognise that some beneficiaries may face additional vulnerabilities, including social isolation, unmet educational needs, and barriers to accessing support.

We take a proactive, inclusive, and trauma-informed approach to safeguarding, ensuring all individuals are safe, respected, and protected from harm.

A. Safeguarding Commitment Statement 

Young Minders – The Home Education Hub recognises that safeguarding is a core governance priority and a critical requirement for funders, partners, and regulators.  We are committed to:​

 

• Maintaining robust safeguarding systems and procedures

• Ensuring all staff and volunteers are appropriately trained and vetted

• Creating a safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed environment

• Responding to concerns promptly, transparently, and effectively

• Safeguarding is embedded across all levels of the organisation, from frontline delivery to Board governance.

2. Purpose

 

This policy aims to:
 

• Provide a clear safeguarding framework

• Ensure protection of all beneficiaries

• Promote a culture of vigilance and accountability

• Support staff in recognising and responding to concerns

• Demonstrate compliance with UK safeguarding legislation

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Staff and volunteers

• Trustees

• Contractors and partners
   

It covers all activities, including:
 

• Home education programmes

• Workshops and STEAM activities

• Community events and trips

• Outreach and engagement

• Online and digital services

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​4. Definitions

Children: Under 18
Young People: 16–18 requiring additional consideration
Vulnerable Adults: Adults at risk due to disability, mental health, illness, or circumstances
Safeguarding: Protecting individuals from harm, abuse, and exploitation while promoting wellbeing.

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5. Safeguarding Principles
 

• Welfare of the individual is paramount

• Zero tolerance for abuse or harm

• Early intervention and prevention

• Inclusive safeguarding (SEND, neurodiversity, cultural needs)

• Partnership working with relevant agencies

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​6. Roles and Responsibilities

Board of Trustees

• Overall safeguarding accountability

• Policy oversight and review

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• Main point of contact

• Manages safeguarding concerns

• Makes referrals

Safeguarding Trustee

• Provides board-level safeguarding oversight

Staff and Volunteers

Must:

• Follow safeguarding procedures

• Report concerns immediately

• Maintain professional boundaries

• Treat all beneficiaries with dignity

B. Governance and Oversight

The Board of Trustees ensures:

 

• Safeguarding is a standing agenda item at Board meetings

• A Safeguarding Trustee is appointed with clear responsibility

• Regular review of:

  • Safeguarding incidents

  • Risk registers

  • Training compliance

• Immediate reporting of serious incidents to the Charity Commission for England and Wales where required.

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7. Safer Recruitment and Vetting

The Charity follows Safer Recruitment principles in line with national guidance, ensuring:

• No individual begins regulated activity without appropriate DBS clearance

• Risk assessments are completed where DBS checks are pending

• Volunteers are appropriately supervised

We maintain a central record of recruitment checks to demonstrate compliance to funders and auditors.

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8. Training and Continuous Development
 

• Safeguarding training at induction

• All staff have completed refresher safeguarding training as part of the April 2026 policy review

• Annual refresher training minimum

• Training includes:

  • Recognising abuse

  • Responding to disclosures

  • Online safety

  • SEND and cultural awareness

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9. Types of Abuse

Includes:

 

• Physical

• Emotional

• Sexual

• Neglect

• Financial (adults)

• Exploitation

• Online abuse

• Peer-on-peer abuse

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10. Safeguarding Procedures

Reporting Concerns
All concerns must be reported immediately to the DSL.

Responding to Disclosures
Staff must:

• Listen carefully

• Not promise confidentiality

• Reassure

• Record accurately

• Report immediately

 

DSL Responsibilities

• Record concerns

• Assess risk

• Refer to authorities where needed

• Maintain confidentiality

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11. Online Safety

We ensure:
 

• Secure platforms

• Clear online behaviour guidelines

• No private messaging between staff and beneficiaries

• Monitoring of risks (e.g. cyberbullying, grooming)

 

D. Safeguarding Risk Management

 

Safeguarding Risk Assessment and Management

 

The Charity actively identifies and manages safeguarding risks across all programmes.

This includes:

 

• Risk assessments for all activities, events, and venues

• Specific consideration of:

  • SEND needs

  • Behavioural risks

  • Online safety risks

• Clear mitigation strategies (e.g. supervision ratios, trained staff)

Safeguarding risks are recorded and reviewed as part of organisational risk management processes.

12. Safe Activities and Environments

​​

• Appropriate supervision ratios

• Risk assessments for all activities

• Safe, accessible venues

• SEND-friendly considerations

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13. Whistleblowing

​

Concerns about:

​

• Staff conduct

• Safeguarding failures

​

Can be raised without fear of retaliation.

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14. Managing Allegations

All allegations:

​​

• Taken seriously

• Reported to DSL

• Referred to LADO where appropriate

• Managed confidentially

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15. Monitoring and Quality Assurance

We will:

​​

• Maintain secure records

• Monitor incidents

• Review training

• Gather feedback

• Report serious incidents where required

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16. Continuous Improvement

We commit to:

​

• Learning from cases

• Updating practices

• Engaging with safeguarding networks

• Embedding safeguarding across all programmes

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17. Key Safeguarding Contacts and Reporting Procedures
17.1 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Name: Lydia Wanini
📞 Phone: 07488237619
📧 Email: contact@youngminders.org

Full details are also available on the Charity’s website and internal safeguarding documents.

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17.2 Local Authority Safeguarding Contacts (Croydon)
As the Charity operates within the London Borough of Croydon, safeguarding concerns may be referred to:

Children’s Social Care (MASH)
📞 020 8726 6400 (Office hours)
📞 020 8726 6500 (Out of hours)

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17.3 LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer)
📞 020 8726 6000
📧 lado@croydon.gov.uk
Contact LADO if concerns involve staff or volunteers.

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17.4 Adult Safeguarding
📞 020 8726 6500

17.5 How to Report a Safeguarding Concern
Step 1: Emergency
📞 Call 999 if immediate danger
Step 2: Report Internally
Report to DSL immediately
Step 3: DSL Action
DSL records, assesses, and refers
Step 4: External Reporting
Referral made to Local Authority if required

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17.6 Confidentiality and Record Keeping

 

• Secure record storage

• GDPR compliance

• Information shared on a need-to-know basis

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17.7 Escalation

If concerns are not addressed:

​

• Escalate to a Trustee

• Contact Local Authority directly

• Contact Police if necessary

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18. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed:

​​

• Annually by the Board

• After significant incidents

• Following legislative changes

19. Conclusion
Young Minders – The Home Education Hub is committed to safeguarding being central to all its work.
Through strong leadership, training, and clear procedures, we aim to provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all beneficiaries.