H.O.M.E Hub Community Interest Company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child, young person, and adult at risk who engages with our services. We believe every person deserves to feel safe, respected, and protected — and that this commitment is non-negotiable, unconditional, and central to our mission.

We will always act in the best interests of the child or person at risk. No programme objective, relationship, or operational pressure will ever override our duty to keep people safe.

This policy applies to:

${['All paid and voluntary staff at H.O.M.E Hub','All facilitators, practitioners, coaches, and session leaders','Trustees and CIC directors','Any contractor, partner, or visitor on our premises','Any person delivering programmes on behalf of H.O.M.E Hub offsite'].map(i=>``).join('')}

It covers all activities delivered at 88 Brook Road, Benfleet SS7 5JF and any offsite, online, or outreach activity conducted under the H.O.M.E Hub name.

The DSL is responsible for:

${['Receiving and recording all safeguarding concerns','Making referrals to Essex Children\'s Social Care or Adult Safeguarding where required','Maintaining the safeguarding log (confidential, held securely)','Ensuring all team members have completed safeguarding training','Liaising with statutory agencies including Essex Police and OFSTED where applicable','Reviewing this policy annually or following any significant incident'].map(i=>``).join('')}

You do not need to be certain abuse is occurring to raise a concern. Concern, gut feeling, or a change in behaviour are sufficient reasons to report.

${[ {t:'Physical abuse',d:'Unexplained injuries, bruising, burns, or a child/adult flinching. Any physical harm, including deliberate poisoning or suffocation.'}, {t:'Emotional abuse',d:'Persistent criticism, threatening, humiliating, or ignoring. Extreme anxiety, low self-worth, or self-harm in absence of physical cause.'}, {t:'Sexual abuse',d:'Any sexual activity a child cannot consent to. Sexualised behaviour, drawings, or language inappropriate to age. In adults, non-consensual activity.'}, {t:'Neglect',d:'Failure to provide adequate food, warmth, clothing, supervision, or medical care. Persistent hunger, tiredness, poor hygiene, or untreated illness.'}, {t:'Radicalisation / extremism',d:'Signs a person is being drawn toward extremist views or targeted by those who seek to radicalise. Follow the Prevent duty.'}, {t:'Online / cyber abuse',d:'Grooming online, sharing of inappropriate content, cyberbullying. Relevant where young people use Hub devices or Hub social channels.'}, {t:'Domestic abuse',d:'Relevant where adults accessing services are experiencing abuse at home. Affects children witnessing it — this is a safeguarding matter.'}, ].map(a=>``).join('')}

${[ {n:'1',t:'Do not ignore it',d:'Even a small concern matters. Trust your instinct.'}, {n:'2',t:'Do not investigate',d:'Do not question the child or adult in detail, or confront the alleged perpetrator. That is the role of statutory services.'}, {n:'3',t:'Listen and reassure',d:'If a disclosure is made to you, listen calmly. Tell the person they have done the right thing. Do not promise confidentiality.'}, {n:'4',t:'Record accurately',d:'Write down exactly what was said or observed, as soon as possible, using the person\'s own words. Note date, time, location, and any witnesses.'}, {n:'5',t:'Report to the DSL',d:'Tell Mark Cox immediately — same day. Hand over your written record. If urgent and the DSL is unreachable, call Essex Children\'s Social Care directly.'}, {n:'6',t:'Escalate if needed',d:'If you believe a child or adult is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not wait for the DSL.'}, ].map(s=>``).join('')}

Safeguarding information is shared on a strict need-to-know basis. However, confidentiality cannot be promised where there is a risk of harm — to a child, to the person themselves, or to others. This must be explained clearly at the start of any programme that works with vulnerable groups.

Information sharing between agencies is permitted and required under the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004, and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023). The DSL will make all decisions about what is shared, with whom, and when.

${[ 'All volunteers and staff working with children or adults at risk must hold a valid Enhanced DBS certificate before commencing their role.', 'DBS certificates should be renewed every 3 years, or immediately following any relevant caution, conviction, or concern.', 'References will be obtained for all roles involving direct work with children or adults at risk.', 'No person will be permitted to work unsupervised with children until their DBS is confirmed clear.', 'Self-disclosure forms are completed by all new volunteers at induction.', 'Any volunteer or staff member who receives a caution or conviction after joining must disclose this to the DSL immediately.', ].map(i=>``).join('')}

${[ {l:'DSL — Mark Cox', v:'H.O.M.E Hub Director · via CRM or info@homehub-benfleet.co.uk'}, {l:'Essex Children\'s Social Care (MASH)', v:'0345 603 7627 (office hours) · 0345 606 1212 (out of hours)'}, {l:'Essex Adults Safeguarding', v:'0345 603 7630'}, {l:'LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer)', v:'Essex LADO: 03330 139 797 — use for allegations against staff/volunteers'}, {l:'NSPCC Helpline', v:'0808 800 5000 · help@nspcc.org.uk'}, {l:'Childline', v:'0800 1111 (for children and young people)'}, {l:'Police — emergency', v:'999 · non-emergency: 101'}, ].map(c=>``).join('')}