Safeguarding children and young people policy

01Introduction

Find A Way: Psychological Services CIC is a Leeds-based community interest company. We provide educational and child psychology support for children, young people and families in Leeds and across Yorkshire: educational psychology assessments, Video Interaction Guidance, and parenting support and advocacy. We work with children directly and indirectly through family-based programmes, often supporting those with complex emotional, social and communication needs.

We are committed to promoting the welfare and safety of all children and young people we support, in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) procedures. Our safeguarding practice is rooted in the belief that all children and young people have the right to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation, and to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.

Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility. All staff and volunteers have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, as defined below.

Our safeguarding adults policy covers the adults we work with, including parents and carers.

02Definitions and legal framework

03Designated safeguarding leads

Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)

Dr Sophia Bentley

sophia@findaway.org

Deputy Safeguarding Officer

Laura Andrews

laura@findaway.org

The DSO is responsible for ensuring that safeguarding remains central to all areas of our work and for coordinating responses to concerns or disclosures. They act as the first point of contact for staff, families and external agencies.

04Recognising signs of abuse

Staff and volunteers must be alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, including:

• Physical abuse — hitting, shaking, burning, suffocation
• Emotional abuse — humiliation, threats, isolation, exploitation
• Sexual abuse — inappropriate touching, grooming, exploitation
• Neglect — persistent failure to meet basic physical and emotional needs
• Child criminal or sexual exploitation
• Domestic abuse within the home
• Radicalisation
• Female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Peer-on-peer abuse, including bullying and harassment

Children may show signs through changes in behaviour, disclosure, physical injuries, regression, or their interaction with others.

05Becoming aware of a safeguarding concern

Staff may become aware of a safeguarding issue through:

• Direct disclosure from the child
• Concerns reported by a third party
• Observations of behaviour, play, artwork or injuries
• Written or verbal reports of misconduct
• Hearing about incidents that happened in the past

Even if a child discloses something that happened years ago, it should be taken seriously and reported.

06Responding to concerns

07Safe recruitment of staff and volunteers

To safeguard children, we follow a robust recruitment process:

• Application forms and face-to-face interviews
• Photographic ID and qualification checks
• At least two references, with questions about suitability to work with children
• Enhanced DBS checks for all staff and volunteers
• Full induction, including safeguarding training
• Probationary periods and supervision

08Management and supervision

• All staff and volunteers receive regular supervision, with safeguarding as a standing item.
• Informal safeguarding debriefs are available following disclosures or distressing situations.
• Annual refresher safeguarding training is mandatory for all team members.
• Opportunities to reflect on safeguarding practice and professional boundaries are embedded in staff development.

09Allegations against staff or volunteers

Any allegation that a staff member or volunteer has done any of the following must be reported to the DSO and referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) immediately:

• Harmed a child
• Committed a criminal offence against a child
• Behaved in a way that poses a risk to children

These are the thresholds for a referral to the LADO. Where it is not clear whether an allegation meets them, the DSO seeks the LADO’s advice promptly.

Staff must not investigate an allegation themselves. Any concern about the Designated Safeguarding Officer should be reported to the Deputy Safeguarding Officer, or directly to the appropriate statutory agency.

Actions may include:

• Suspension pending investigation
• Internal HR processes
• Referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if risk is substantiated

10Recording and confidentiality

• All concerns must be recorded promptly on the Safeguarding Concern Form, including:
  • The child’s name and date of birth
  • The date, time and context of the concern
  • The exact wording of any disclosure
  • Actions taken and referrals made
  • The reasons for decisions, any information shared and the follow-up
• Records must be factual, signed, dated and stored securely.
• Safeguarding information is shared on a need-to-know basis only.

11Reviewing and sharing the policy

• This policy is reviewed by the board of directors at least once a year, and after any significant change in the law or in our organisation.
• It is available on the Find A Way website, on noticeboards in community venues, and in staff and volunteer induction packs.
• Parents and carers are told about our safeguarding commitment at the point of referral or registration.
• Updates and learning from serious case reviews or local changes are shared regularly.
• This version was last updated on 4 November 2026.

12Role of the board of directors

The board of directors of Find A Way: Psychological Services CIC holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring that:

• All safeguarding policies are up to date and legally compliant
• Staff and volunteers are properly trained
• Safeguarding is embedded in governance and strategy
• The organisation responds transparently and effectively to concerns