Safeguarding Statement & Policy

This safeguarding policy statement was last updated on 13/04/2026.

Next review date: 01/04/2027.

Definitions

We/Us/Our terms refer to Rise As We Are CIC, a Community Interest Company (CIC) incorporated in England and Wales. Our company number is 16572786 and our registered address is 2 Hawthorn Close, Old Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3LN, UK.

Rise As We Are CIC provides support, guidance and education services to people with neuro-differences and the families and caregivers of neurodivergent people, as well as organisations connected with their education and employment.

Safeguarding Statement

The purpose of this policy statement is:

To protect adults at risk who receive services from Rise As We Are CIC from harm.

To provide staff, volunteers, students, directors, and also adults at risk with the overarching principles that guide our safeguarding approach.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Rise As We Are CIC, including paid staff, volunteers, guest speakers, students, and directors.

Our current service model

Rise As We Are CIC currently provides support primarily through an online community for adults aged 18 and over.

The community includes:

  • Group chat spaces where members can communicate with each other;

  • Direct messaging between members;

  • Live webinars delivered via Zoom with occasional guest speakers (some of which are recorded);

  • Live Q&A sessions led by Carly Steel or Dylan MacMillan (these are not recorded to maintain confidentiality);

  • Community activities such as challenges, interest group sessions and social sessions.

All services are currently delivered online. Some face-to-face events may be offered in the future, with appropriate safeguarding measures in place.

Legal framework

This policy has been developed in line with the relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice that seek to protect adults at risk in England. It reflects the principles set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government, 2023) for good practice guidance, the Care Act 2014, and other national safeguarding guidance.

As Rise As We Are CIC is based in Leicestershire, this policy also aligns with the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Adults Board (LLRSAB) policies and procedures. These provide a strong local safeguarding framework, which we will follow in our work within the county.

As our work extends across the UK, we will additionally ensure that safeguarding practice is adapted to reflect the requirements of each relevant local safeguarding partnership or board in the area where services are delivered.

Supporting Documents

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance, and other related documents, which set out how we implement safeguarding in practice:

  • Dealing with disclosures and concerns;

  • Managing allegations against staff and volunteers;

  • Recording concerns and information sharing;

  • Safeguarding records retention and secure storage;

  • Code of conduct for staff and volunteers;

  • Behaviour codes/agreements for community members;

  • Online safety guidance;

  • Managing complaints;

  • Whistleblowing.

We believe that:

  • Any adult at risk should never experience abuse, neglect, exploitation, or discrimination of any kind.

  • Rise As We Are CIC has a responsibility to actively promote the welfare and wellbeing of all adults at risk, to keep them safe, and to practise in ways that protect and empower them.

  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, volunteers, students, and directors have a duty to recognise, respond, record, and refer safeguarding concerns in line with local safeguarding partnership/board procedures.

  • Our safeguarding approach will be guided by the principles of the Care Act 2014 and the Making Safeguarding Personal framework for adults.

  • We will listen to and respect the voices of community members, ensuring they are included in decisions about their safety and support wherever possible.

We recognise that:

  • The welfare of adults at risk is paramount in all the work we do and in every decision we take.

  • Safeguarding is most effective when we work in partnership with adults at risk and with other agencies, services, and safeguarding boards.

  • Every individual, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, has an equal right to safety, protection, and support.

  • Some adults may be additionally vulnerable due to the impact of past trauma, their level of dependency, mental or physical health needs, communication barriers, or other circumstances.

  • Extra vigilance and tailored safeguards are sometimes needed to ensure that those who are more vulnerable are protected from harm, in line with the Care Act 2014 and local safeguarding partnership procedures.

  • Listening to and respecting the voice of the adult at risk is central to effective safeguarding and underpins our practice.

We will seek to keep vulnerable adults safe by:

  • Valuing, listening to, and respecting their experiences and voices.

  • Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and ensuring clear safeguarding responsibility for adults at risk.

  • Adopting safeguarding best practice throughout all policies, procedures, and codes of conduct for staff, students, and volunteers.

  • Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures.

  • Providing robust management, training, supervision, and support for staff and volunteers, so they understand and confidently apply our safeguarding policies, procedures, and behaviour codes.

  • Recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, following safer recruitment procedures and carrying out all necessary checks (including references and enhanced DBS checks).

  • Recording, storing, and using safeguarding information professionally and securely, in line with UK GDPR and data protection legislation.

  • Sharing safeguarding information and good practice adults at risk through leaflets, posters, digital materials and group calls.

  • Making sure adults at risk know how to raise a concern or seek help if they feel unsafe.

  • Following our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with the appropriate agencies.

  • Managing any allegations against staff, students, or volunteers in line with national and local safeguarding partnership procedures.

  • Creating and maintaining an environment that prevents and addresses bullying, harassment, or discrimination of any kind.

  • Ensuring effective complaints and whistleblowing procedures are in place and accessible.

  • Providing a safe physical and digital environment for community members, staff, and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures and regulatory guidance.

  • Building and sustaining a safeguarding culture where everyone, staff, students, volunteers, adults at risk, and families, treats each other with respect and feels able to speak up about concerns.

Safeguarding accountability and roles

  • The Board of Directors of Rise As We Are CIC has overall responsibility for ensuring that safeguarding policies and procedures are in place, implemented effectively, and reviewed regularly.

  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Carly Steel, Founder and Director of Rise As We Are CIC. Carly has lead responsibility for safeguarding and adult protection across the organisation, including acting as the main point of contact with local safeguarding partnerships and statutory agencies.

  • The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL) is Dylan MacMillan, Director, who will support the DSL and act in their absence.

  • The responsibilities of each person, including DSLs, staff, students, and volunteers are documented in the Safeguarding policy.

Contact details

These safeguarding policies and procedures apply to all staff, directors, students, and volunteers working on behalf of Rise As We Are CIC.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Name: Carly Steel

Email: [email protected]

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL)

Name: Dylan MacMillan

Email: [email protected]

External Safeguarding Contacts:

  • LLR Adult Social Care Safeguarding: 0116 305 0004 (General) / 0116 305 0888 (Emergency Duty Team);

  • Emergency: If a child, young person, or adult is in immediate danger, dial 999;

  • NSPCC Helpline (for children’s safeguarding advice and concerns): 0808 800 5000.

For work delivered outside Leicestershire, Rise As We Are CIC will follow the procedures and contact details for the relevant local safeguarding partnership or safeguarding adults board in that area.

Policy Review

Rise As We Are CIC is committed to reviewing this safeguarding policy, and all related procedures and good practice, on an annual basis, or sooner if there are significant changes to legislation, statutory guidance, or local safeguarding partnership procedures.

This policy was last reviewed on: 13/04/2026

Signed:
 C.A. Steel


Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)


On behalf of Rise As We Are CIC Board of Directors

Safeguarding Policy

The principles of safeguarding of the organisation are:

  1. Safeguarding comes first


    The best interest of the individual are paramount in all considerations about their welfare and protection. This includes decisions on when to maintain confidentiality and when it is necessary to share information to protect them from harm.

  2. Individuals are listened to and taken seriously


    Everyone we work with has the right to participate in decisions about their lives. Their views, wishes, feelings, and experiences are respected and inform our practice.

  3. Equality, diversity, and inclusion are upheld


    All individuals have the right to protection from harm and abuse, regardless of age, ability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any additional vulnerabilities. We recognise that some people may face barriers to protection and we commit to addressing inequality in practice.

  4. Everyone working for the organisation is suitable and accountable


    All those who work for or on behalf of Rise As We Are CIC, including directors, staff, students, and volunteers, are required to follow this safeguarding policy and the Code of Conduct. Safer recruitment and vetting processes ensure suitability for working with adults at risk.

  5. Staff and volunteers are trained and supported


    Safeguarding knowledge, skills, and awareness are maintained through induction, supervision, and regular learning. All staff and volunteers complete core safeguarding training relevant to their role, with additional specialist training where required.

  6. Policies and procedures keep everyone safe


    Organisational policies document how Rise As We Are CIC creates safe environments, both physical and online. Safeguarding policies and procedures are reviewed annually (and sooner if required) to remain compliant with national and local safeguarding frameworks.

Roles and responsibilities:

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All directors, staff, students, and volunteers at Rise As We Are CIC have a duty to keep adults at risk safe from harm.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) has additional responsibilities for ensuring safeguarding practice is embedded across the organisation.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

  • Name: Carly Steel

  • Holds lead responsibility for safeguarding and child/adult protection across the organisation.

  • Point of contact for anyone with a safeguarding concern.

  • Writes, updates, and implements safeguarding policies and procedures.

  • Ensures staff, students, and volunteers complete appropriate safeguarding training and ongoing CPD.

  • Receives, records, and securely stores safeguarding concerns and protection records.

  • Makes referrals to statutory agencies and liaises with local safeguarding partnerships/boards.

  • Holds an up-to-date Enhanced DBS check and undertakes regular CPD, including safeguarding training (records of which are maintained).

  • Clients and commissioners may request to see ID, references, and evidence of Enhanced DBS clearance.

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL)

  • Name: Dylan MacMillan

  • Supports the DSL and acts in their absence.

  • Undertakes safeguarding training and CPD to the same standard as the DSL.

  • Holds an up-to-date Enhanced DBS check and undertakes regular CPD, including safeguarding training (records of which are maintained).

All Staff, Students, and Volunteers

  • Must read and follow the safeguarding policy and Code of Conduct.

  • Are responsible for recognising, responding to, recording, and reporting concerns about a child, young person, or adult at risk.

  • Must undertake safeguarding induction and refresher training appropriate to their role.

All staff and Directors must hold an up to date Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service, previously criminal records check) and undertake regular Continuous Professional Development (CPD), including safeguarding training. CPD must be documented. Clients can request to see ID, references and Enhanced DBS Checks.

Safeguarding procedures

These procedures set out how Rise As We Are CIC will put safeguarding into practice. They provide clear guidance for all directors, staff, students, and volunteers on what to do to protect individuals from harm.

Our safeguarding procedures cover the following areas:

  • Recognising and responding to abuse and allegations.

  • Whistleblowing.

  • Safety within the Rise As We Are online community.

Recognising and responding to abuse:

It can be very hard for individuals to speak out about abuse. Often they fear there may be negative consequences if they tell anyone. Some may delay disclosure for a long time, while others never speak out, even if they want to.

It is vital that all individuals we work with are able to speak out, and that whoever they tell is taken seriously and supported. Even if someone does not make a verbal disclosure, there may be other indicators that something is wrong. Everyone working or volunteering at Rise As We Are CIC must be able to recognise these signs and respond appropriately.

Disclosure:

Disclosure is the process by which an adult at risk shares their experiences of abuse. This may be a journey over time rather than a single act. Disclosures may be:

  • Direct - specific verbal statements about what has happened;

  • Indirect - ambiguous comments suggesting something is wrong;

  • Behavioural - changes or behaviours signalling distress;

  • Non-verbal - drawings, writing, or other communication attempts.

Not all disclosures will lead to formal reports or prosecutions, but all disclosures must be recorded and taken seriously.

Barriers to disclosure:

People may find it difficult to talk about abuse because of:

  • Fear of not being believed, or fear of consequences;

  • Shame, guilt, or self-blame;

  • Lack of trust due to previous negative experiences;

  • Not having the words to explain what has happened;

  • Trauma, embarrassment, or fear of reliving events;

  • Not recognising their experiences as abuse.

Staff and volunteers must be sensitive to these barriers and avoid judgement or pressure.

Recognising the signs of abuse:

All staff, students, and volunteers must complete safeguarding training to help them recognise:

  • Physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect;

  • Financial abuse, modern slavery, radicalisation (for adults at risk);

  • Grooming, exploitation, bullying, and online harms.

Safeguarding leads (DSL/Deputy DSL) ensure training is refreshed and that staff know how to act if they are worried about someone.

Responding to disclosures:

When someone discloses:

  • Show care and compassion: give your full attention, keep open body language, and reassure them their feelings matter;

  • Give time: don’t rush or interrupt; respect pauses; allow them to go at their own pace;

  • Reflect and clarify: repeat back key points in their words to check understanding;

  • Do not promise secrecy: explain what will be shared, why, and how it can help;

  • Never confront the alleged perpetrator.

Record the disclosure:

Staff will keep accurate and detailed notes on any concerns they have about a child, young person or adult. Staff must:

  • Record as soon as possible, using exact words where possible;

  • Include: name, age, address, date/time, what was said/done, and any details about the alleged abuser;

  • Records must be factual, dated, signed, and passed to the DSL within 24 hours;

  • All records are stored securely in line with UK GDPR.

Information sharing:

Sharing information about a vulnerable adult’s welfare helps professionals build a clearer picture of their life and gain a better understanding of any risks they are facing.

  • Safeguarding concerns are a legitimate reason to share information.

  • Consent will be sought where safe, but information may be shared without consent if necessary to protect someone from harm.

  • Information must be: factual, proportionate, clear, and shared securely.

  • All decisions to share or not share must be recorded.

Reporting Concerns:

All concerns must be reported immediately to the DSL (Carly Steel) or, in her absence, the Deputy DSL (Dylan MacMillan).

The DSL will decide next steps, which may include:

  • Contacting local adults’ safeguarding services (via local safeguarding partnership/board procedures);

  • Contacting the police (999 in emergencies);

  • Contacting the NSPCC Helpline (0808 800 5000, [email protected]).

Verbal referrals will always be followed up in writing within 48 hours.

Support and Protection:

  • New concerns are added to existing case notes for a fuller picture.

  • Where statutory thresholds are met, local authority Child Protection or Adult Safeguarding measures will be initiated.

  • If thresholds are not met, individuals and families may still be supported through Early Help or Early Intervention services.

  • Support will also be offered through education and signposting.

Record Keeping:

  • Records will be stored in secure, password-protected systems.

  • Handwritten notes will be stored in a locked safe.

  • Records are kept for 7 years after service delivery ends, or until the person is 25 years old, whichever is longer.

Statutory Duty Reporting - Prevent Duty (Radicalisation and Extremism):

Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, Rise As We Are CIC has a duty to safeguard adults at risk from being drawn into terrorism or extremism. This is known as the Prevent Duty.

Recognising concerns


Radicalisation may be a gradual process and can affect people of any age. Indicators of concern may include:

  • Expressing extremist views that advocate violence, hatred, or intolerance;

  • Increased secrecy about activities, internet use, or peer groups;

  • Isolating themselves from family, friends, or usual community networks;

  • Possession of extremist material or accessing extremist content online;

  • A sudden change in behaviour, clothing, or attitudes linked to extremist ideology.

Responding to concerns

  • Any concern that an adult may be at risk of radicalisation must be reported immediately to the DSL (Carly Steel) or Deputy DSL (Dylan MacMillan).

  • The DSL will seek advice and may refer to the local Prevent team or Channel programme (multi-agency safeguarding process for individuals at risk of radicalisation).

  • If there is an immediate risk of harm or a crime being committed, staff must call 999.

Information sharing

  • Concerns relating to radicalisation or extremism are safeguarding matters and can be shared without consent if necessary to protect the individual or others from harm.

  • All decisions to share information must be documented.

Other Statutory Safeguarding Duties:

In addition to our mandatory reporting duties Rise As We Are CIC recognises the following statutory safeguarding duties. While they may not all place a direct legal reporting requirement on our staff or volunteers, we will cooperate fully with statutory partners to ensure children, young people, and adults at risk are protected.

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)

  • The UK Government has announced its intention to introduce a mandatory reporting duty for child sexual abuse in England. Although this is not yet law, Rise As We Are CIC commits to adopting this standard and already treats all disclosures or concerns of CSA as requiring referral to statutory agencies.

Serious Violence Duty (Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022)

  • Requires safeguarding partners, education, health, and police to work together to prevent and reduce serious violence. We will contribute information and cooperate with local safeguarding partnerships where concerns about serious violence arise.

Children Missing Education (CME)

  • Local authorities have a duty to identify children missing education. If Rise As We Are CIC becomes aware of a child not receiving education, we will notify the relevant local authority and support the family in terms of options (such as home education, EOTAS, flexischooling etc).

Forced Marriage

  • Forced marriage is recognised in UK law as a form of abuse under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007. Any concern about risk of forced marriage will be reported to the DSL, who will make a referral to children’s or adults’ safeguarding services and/or the police.

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (Modern Slavery Act 2015)

  • Victims of modern slavery or trafficking may be children, young people, or adults at risk. If staff suspect modern slavery or trafficking, the DSL will make a referral to safeguarding services and may refer to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM).

Support and Education:

During mentoring sessions with Rise As We Are CIC, individuals will have the opportunity to explore topics such as:

  • Safe and healthy relationships;

  • Friendships and belonging;

  • Personal safety (online and offline);

  • Recognising and managing emotions;

  • Boundaries and acceptable behaviour.

This preventative, educational approach supports safeguarding by empowering individuals to make safe choices, know their rights, and access support when needed.

Whistleblowing

Whistleblowing is when someone reports concerns about wrongdoing because it is in the public interest for those concerns to be addressed. In safeguarding, this means raising concerns about the safety or welfare of children, young people, or adults at risk, or about unsafe practice within the organisation.

How to raise a concern:

  • If a staff member, volunteer, individual, or family has a safeguarding concern, they must report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Carly Steel.

  • If the concern relates to Carly Steel, the report should be made to the Deputy DSL: Dylan MacMillan.

  • If concerns remain, or if both safeguarding leads are implicated, concerns can be escalated externally through whistleblowing procedures (see below).

When to use whistleblowing


Contact the NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line if the concern relates to a child and:

  • The organisation does not have clear safeguarding procedures to follow;

  • Concerns raised internally have not been dealt with properly or appear to have been covered up;

  • A safeguarding concern has been raised but no action has been taken;

  • There are concerns about being treated unfairly for raising an issue.

Whistleblowing Advice Line (NSPCC):

Local Safeguarding Contacts – Leicestershire (for concerns raised in the county where Rise As We Are CIC is based):

  • Children’s First Response Duty Team: 0116 305 0005 (24 hrs)

  • Adult Social Care: 0116 305 0004 (Mon–Thu 8.30am–5pm, Fri 8.30am–4.30pm)

  • Adult Emergency Duty Team: 0116 305 0888 (Evenings, weekends, bank holidays)

For services delivered outside Leicestershire:


We will follow the whistleblowing and safeguarding procedures of the relevant local safeguarding partnership or safeguarding adults board in that area.

Online safety

Everyone has the right to feel safe online.

The online world creates many opportunities for connection, learning and support. However, there are also risks, particularly in community spaces and direct messaging.

We will seek to keep adults safe online by:

  • providing clear expectations for behaviour through our Code of Conduct;

  • creating moderated community spaces where interactions are monitored appropriately;

  • supporting members to use online platforms safely and respectfully;

  • developing clear procedures to respond to inappropriate or harmful online behaviour;

  • ensuring that any recordings are done with consent and for a clear purpose;

  • providing guidance and support to staff and volunteers on online safeguarding.

Some sessions (such as webinars or training sessions) may be recorded for safeguarding and quality assurance. Participants are informed in advance and can choose how they engage (for example, camera off or using chat).

Raising concerns within the community

If an individual has a concern while using the community, they should:

  • contact a moderator or admin directly within the platform;

  • use the platform’s block and report functions where appropriate;

  • contact Carly Steel (DSL) or Dylan MacMillan (Deputy DSL) via the contact details provided;

  • message Carly or Dylan directly within the community.

All moderators and administrators are identifiable within the platform, with a pink ring around their profile picture and a badge alongside their name indicating their role, so that they can be easily recognised.

All concerns raised will be taken seriously and responded to in line with the organisation’s safeguarding procedures.

Reviewed by: Carly Steel, April 2026

If you have any questions or wish to seek further advice regarding our Safeguarding Policy, you can email Carly Steel at [email protected].

If you would like to learn more about our use of your personal information as it relates to safeguarding matters or other aspects of our services, please view our organisation's full Privacy Notice.

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Rise As We Are CIC is a Community Interest Company registered in England and Wales

under the company registration number 16572786