Safeguarding Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out how Truly Beloved protects children and young people under 18 who are supported by, or come into contact with, our charity. It applies to all trustees, staff, volunteers, and anyone acting on behalf of Truly Beloved.

2. Our principles

• The welfare of the child is paramount at all times
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or background, have the right to protection from abuse and harm
• All concerns or allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to promptly
• We will work in partnership with families, statutory agencies, and other organisations to promote the welfare of children

3. Safer recruitment

All trustees, volunteers, and anyone who works directly with children or their families on behalf of Truly Beloved are subject to:

• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check where required
• Two satisfactory references
• Safeguarding induction and ongoing training

4. Recognising and responding to abuse

We recognise that abuse can take many forms including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect. Any person associated with Truly Beloved who has a concern about a child’s welfare must:

• Report the concern immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Not attempt to investigate the concern themselves
• Record all concerns in writing
• Cooperate fully with any statutory investigation

5. Designated Safeguarding Lead

6. Reporting a concern

If you have an immediate concern about a child’s safety, always contact 999 or the local authority children’s services first.

For non-urgent concerns relating to Truly Beloved, contact our DSL using the details above. You can also contact the NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 or the Charity Commission if you feel a concern has not been properly addressed.

7. Photography and media

We will always obtain written consent from parents or carers before photographing, filming, or publishing images of children we support. Images are used only for the purposes stated at the time of consent and are stored securely.

8. Online safety

Truly Beloved takes online safety seriously. We do not publish the full names, addresses, or identifying details of children we support online. All social media content involving children is reviewed and approved before publication.

9. Policy review

This policy is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees or following any safeguarding incident. The most recent review was March 2025.