LOOKING AFTER YOUNG PEOPLE COMES FIRST

1. Policy Statement

Springboard Youth Club is dedicated to advancing the education, health, and personal development of young people in Hillingdon and surrounding areas within a safe, supportive, and fully supervised environment. We believe that every young person has the right to feel safe, valued, and protected from abuse, harm, or neglect regardless of age, ability, gender, race, religion, or background.

This policy applies to all Charity Trustees, staff, volunteers, and guest facilitators operating on behalf of Springboard Youth Club.

2. Key Contacts & Governance

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Ann Edmondson (Primary Contact)
• Board of Trustees (Governance Lead): Daniel Knight, Stacey Scarr, Jo Mariner

Governance Responsibility: The Management Committee / Trustees hold legal responsibility for ensuring that full safeguarding protocols and adult supervision standards are strictly maintained across all activities.

3. Scope of Activities

This safeguarding policy covers all activities delivered by Springboard Youth Club, including:

• Weekly Social & Practical Sessions: Tech lessons, life skills workshops (e.g., nutrition), and social/sports/music activities at venues like The 46 Club.
• Monthly Weekend Sessions: Events such as "Wellbeing Pamper nights" and "Silent Discos".
• Mentoring & Pastoral Support: Job mentoring presentations (trades, tech, transport, logistics) and emotional/health guidance workshops.
• Off-site Trips: Termly excursions (e.g., Wembley Stadium, coastal trips).

4. Key Safeguarding Principles & Protocols

A. Safer Recruitment & Vetting

• DBS Checks: All adult staff, trustees, and regular volunteers involved in supervising or delivering activities must undergo full Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks prior to commencement.
• Role Models & Guest Speakers: Guest facilitators and job mentors must be introduced within a structured, fully supervised environment and never left unmonitored with young people.

B. Supervision & Youth-Centred Approach

• Supervision Ratios: All sessions—whether weekly workshops, weekend events, or off-site trips—must maintain appropriate adult-to-youth supervision ratios.
• Youth-Centred Environment: Activities must empower young people to shape their engagement while maintaining a safe environment built on clear personal boundaries, respect, and emotional wellbeing.

C. Off-Site Trips & Events

• Risk assessments must be completed and approved by the DSL or a Trustee prior to any termly trip or external excursion.
• Emergency contact information and relevant medical details must be held securely for all participants attending off-site events.

5. Recognizing and Responding to Abuse

Reporting Procedure

If a staff member, volunteer, or trustee has a concern about a young person's safety or receives a disclosure of abuse, they must follow these steps:

1. Listen & Reassure: Listen patiently without asking leading questions. Reassure the young person that they did the right thing by speaking up.
2. Record: Document the conversation immediately using factual language (stating the date, time, context, and exact words used).
3. Report: Pass the information directly to the Primary Contact / Designated Safeguarding Lead (Ann Edmondson) or a Trustee immediately.
4. Escalate (If Necessary): If a young person is in immediate danger, contact emergency services (999) or Hillingdon Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) / Children's Social Care without delay.

6. Policy Review

This policy shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees (Daniel Knight, Stacey Scarr, and Jo Mariner) to ensure compliance with updated legal guidelines and local Hillingdon safeguarding procedures.

Adopted on behalf of the Trustees.