1. Policy Statement

Uplift Ventures CIC exists to help people build digital confidence, learn new skills and move towards independent living, work and community participation. This commitment only works if people feel safe. Safeguarding is not an add-on. It sits at the centre of how we operate.

Safeguarding children and adults at risk is the shared responsibility of everyone involved with Uplift Ventures, including trustees, staff, volunteers, facilitators and partners. Our board treats safeguarding as a core governance priority and maintains a clear framework to prevent, identify and act on concerns.

This policy follows the safeguarding requirements set out in:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015, updated 2018)
- The Children Act 2004
- The Care Act 2014
- Relevant Data Protection legislation (UK GDPR & DPA 2018)

The aim is simple: children and adults at risk should be able to learn, participate and engage with Uplift Ventures free from abuse, harm or neglect.

Definitions
A child is anyone under 18.
An adult at risk is someone who has care or support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves.

Types of abuse:
Children
Physical
Emotional
Sexual and exploitation
Neglect

Adults
Physical
Domestic abuse
Sexual and exploitation
Psychological
Financial or material
Modern slavery
Discriminatory abuse
Organisational abuse
Neglect and acts of omission
Self neglect

We do not restrict ourselves to labels. Staff and volunteers should consider the full circumstances of each individual.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:
- All employees (permanent or temporary)
- All volunteers
- Trustees
- Contractors and consultants
- Agency workers, placement students or anyone acting on behalf of Uplift Ventures CIC

Collectively these individuals are called Uplift representatives.

The policy covers all activities carried out by Uplift Ventures, whether on our premises, in partner venues, community spaces, online, or during outreach work.

Personal data processed for safeguarding follows UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Some information may need to be shared without consent where safety is at risk. This is lawful and covered under an Appropriate Policy Document (APD).

3. Our Commitment

Uplift Ventures CIC will:
- Provide a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all children and adults at risk.
- Take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse. All concerns must be reported. All reports will be logged and acted upon.
- Use person-centred principles so individuals are involved in decisions about their safety.
- Work with families, carers, partners and statutory agencies where appropriate.
- Carry out safer recruitment checks for all staff and volunteers working directly with vulnerable groups.
- Ensure safeguarding roles and responsibilities are understood at every level.
- Maintain clear, practical procedures for responding to incidents, allegations or disclosures.
- Review policies, procedures and training regularly to ensure they reflect best practice.

Uplift Ventures will empower people taking part in our programmes by giving them accessible information about staying safe, understanding abuse and knowing how to seek help.

4. Adult Safeguarding

Uplift follows the six principles of adult safeguarding set out by the Care Act:

Empowerment
People are supported to make their own decisions. Their wishes shape the safeguarding response.

Prevention
Information, awareness and safe systems reduce the risk of harm before it happens.

Proportionality
We respond to concerns in the least intrusive and most appropriate way, based on risk.

Protection
Individuals who cannot keep themselves safe receive support, advocacy and safeguarding intervention.

Partnership
We work with local services, community organisations and statutory agencies to prevent and address harm.

Accountability
Decisions and actions must be open, recorded and justifiable.

We aim to “make safeguarding personal”. It is not just an investigation process. It is about improving someone’s circumstances, safety, control and wellbeing.

5. Responsibilities
Board of Trustees
- Holds ultimate responsibility for safeguarding.
- Appoints a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a Safeguarding Lead Trustee.
- Ensures the organisation meets statutory duties and has effective reporting, monitoring and training in place.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL will:
- Keep up to date with national safeguarding practice and policy.
- Provide advice and case oversight to staff and volunteers.
- Maintain secure recording systems.
- Escalate concerns to statutory agencies when required.
- Report safeguarding data and trends to the Board twice a year.
- Work with external organisations where cross-agency responses are needed.

Managers and Project Leads
- Ensure all staff and volunteers understand and follow this policy.
- Carry out risk assessments for activities.
- Support staff responding to safeguarding concerns.
- Ensure training is completed and refreshed as required.

All Uplift Representatives
Every individual must:
- Know how to recognise signs of abuse.
- Report concerns immediately to their manager or directly to the DSL.
- Record concerns factually and promptly.
- Maintain professional boundaries.
- Avoid private social contact with children or adults at risk.
- Attend induction and refresher safeguarding training.
- Disclose any new convictions, cautions or safeguarding-related issues.

Whistleblowing

If a representative believes concerns are not being addressed properly, they may report through the Uplift Whistleblowing Policy.

Emergency Contacts

If a child is in immediate danger: call 999
For concerns about a child: NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

6. Prevent Duty

Under the government’s counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST), especially the Prevent strand, Uplift Ventures will work with partners to identify and support individuals who may be vulnerable to radicalisation. This is a safeguarding duty and any concerns must be referred to the DSL.

7. Confidentiality, Information Sharing and Data Protection

Safeguarding almost always requires information sharing. Data protection law allows this.

Key points:
- Data protection is not a barrier to raising safeguarding concerns.
- We explain how information may be used, unless doing so increases risk.
- In situations involving risk of harm, we may share information without consent.

All decisions must be recorded in the safeguarding report.
- We may process information under lawful bases such as:
- Vital Interests – to protect life
- Legitimate Interests – where safety is at risk
- Substantial Public Interest – safeguarding of children or adults at risk
- Safeguarding of economic wellbeing in relevant circumstances

Restrictions on data subject rights may apply under UK GDPR exemptions (e.g. crime and taxation, child abuse data). These apply case-by-case and records must justify decisions.

All safeguarding-related processing is supported by an Appropriate Policy Document (APD).

8. Policy Governance

Owner: Trustee
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Ayisha Batcha
Safeguarding Lead Trustee: Bala Subbaiah
Review cycle: Annually, or sooner if legislation changes
Version control: Logged and stored securely

This policy should be read alongside:
- Safeguarding Standard Operating Procedure
- Data Protection Policy
- Personal Safety and Lone Working Guidance

Email - hello@upliftventures.co.uk