Policy

Safeguarding policy.

Last reviewed 12 May 2026. Reviewed annually by the trustees. Next review: May 2027.

1. Scope and our commitment

This policy applies to everyone working in Lockarts' name: trustees, staff, sessional facilitators, volunteers, and anyone delivering activity in partnership with us. It covers all people we work with, with particular attention to:

• Children and young people under the age of 18.
• Adults at risk — including those living with mental illness, dementia, learning disability, or in circumstances that make them more vulnerable to harm.

We have a duty of care to every participant. We commit to providing safe environments, listening to concerns, and acting on them promptly and proportionately.

2. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead

Lockarts has a named Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), appointed by the board, who is responsible for safeguarding practice across the charity. The DSL reports directly to the Chair of trustees and to a nominated trustee with safeguarding oversight.

Concerns can be raised confidentially with the DSL on safeguarding@lockarts.org.uk or by phone on 07500 800559.

3. Safer recruitment

Everyone delivering Lockarts sessions:

• Holds a current enhanced DBS check with barred list information, renewed every three years.
• Provides at least two professional or character references, which we take up before any session is delivered.
• Completes an induction covering this policy, our code of conduct, and how to raise a concern.
• Receives refresher safeguarding training annually.

Trustees complete charity-commission-aligned trustee safeguarding training within six months of appointment.

4. Code of conduct in sessions

• Sessions are run by at least one DBS-checked facilitator. Where possible, two adults are present.
• One-to-one contact with a child or adult at risk is avoided where possible, and never in a private or unobservable space.
• Participants are addressed respectfully, and physical contact is limited to what is necessary and appropriate (for example, demonstrating a technique).
• Photography and audio/video recording in sessions requires informed, written consent. For under-18s, consent is sought from a parent or carer.
• Personal contact details are not exchanged between facilitators and participants outside of charity-managed channels.

5. Recognising and responding to concerns

A safeguarding concern includes any worry that a participant is being harmed, may be at risk of harm, or is causing harm to others. This includes physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse, neglect, and self-harm or suicidal intent.

If you have a concern

Anyone — participant, family member, facilitator, partner — can raise a safeguarding concern. You don't need to be certain, and you don't need to have proof. The DSL will listen and act.

• Make notes of what you saw or heard, in the participant's own words where possible, as soon as you can.
• Contact the DSL the same day. If the DSL is unavailable and the matter is urgent, contact the Chair of trustees or call statutory services directly (see below).
• Don't promise confidentiality you can't keep — we may have to share information to keep someone safe.

6. Recording and information-sharing

All concerns are written up by the DSL on a confidential incident form, kept securely with restricted access. We share information with statutory services where they have a duty to act, and only what's necessary. We do not investigate disclosures ourselves — that's the job of the police, social care and the relevant statutory partnership.

7. Whistleblowing

Anyone working with or for Lockarts can raise concerns about practice, including the conduct of trustees, staff or volunteers, without fear of detriment. Concerns can go to the DSL, the Chair, or — if those routes are not appropriate — to the Charity Commission's reporting line.

8. Review and accountability

• The board reviews this policy annually, and after any serious incident or change in statutory guidance.
• The DSL produces a brief annual safeguarding report for the trustees, covering training completed, concerns raised and actions taken.
• Serious incidents are reported to the Charity Commission in line with their guidance.

Approved by the Trustees of Lockarts. Charity number 1163484.