Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Safe Futures Family Service

Version: 1.0


Effective Date: 20th July 2026

Review Date: 20th July 2027

1. Purpose

Safe Futures Family Service is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, safety and wellbeing of all children, young people and vulnerable adults who access our services.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and are committed to providing services in a manner that promotes safety, dignity, respect and children’s rights.

The welfare and best interests of the child are central to all work undertaken by Safe Futures Family Service.

2. Our Commitment

Safe Futures Family Service will:

● Place children at the centre of all decision-making.

● Promote children’s rights, wellbeing and participation.

● Work in partnership with parents and carers whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so.

● Respond promptly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

● Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

● Work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary agencies.

● Maintain accurate, factual and secure records.

● Comply with legal and professional responsibilities.

3. Legislative Framework

This policy is informed by relevant legislation and guidance, including:

Northern Ireland

● Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

● The Safeguarding Board Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

● Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland (Department of Health, 2017)

● Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021

● Human Rights Act 1998

● Data Protection Act 2018

● UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

● The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

Republic of Ireland

Where services are provided within the Republic of Ireland, Safe Futures Family Service also works in accordance with:

● Children First Act 2015

● Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017)

● Child Care Act 1991 (as amended)

● Data Protection Act 2018 (Ireland)

● General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679

4. Scope

This policy applies to all work undertaken by Safe Futures Family Service, including:

● Children

● Young people

● Parents

● Families

● Professionals

● Volunteers (if applicable)

● Contractors working on behalf of the organisation

5. Guiding Principles

Our work is underpinned by the following principles:

● Every child has the right to be safe.

● Every child has the right to be heard.

● Children’s welfare is paramount.

● Families should be treated with dignity and respect.

● Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

● Early intervention can reduce harm.

● Decisions should always be evidence-informed and proportionate.

6. Recognising Abuse

Safe Futures Family Service recognises that abuse may take many forms, including:

● Physical abuse

● Emotional abuse

● Sexual abuse

● Neglect

● Domestic abuse

● Coercive or controlling behaviour

● Online abuse

● Child criminal exploitation

● Child sexual exploitation

● Honour-based abuse

● Female genital mutilation (FGM)

● Forced marriage

● Trafficking and modern slavery

We also recognise that children affected by parental conflict, separation, substance misuse, mental ill health or family violence may be particularly vulnerable.

7. Responsibilities

Safe Futures Family Service will:

● Maintain awareness of safeguarding legislation.

● Undertake safeguarding training appropriate to the role.

● Record safeguarding concerns accurately.

● Share information appropriately where safeguarding concerns arise.

● Cooperate fully with statutory agencies.

● Maintain appropriate insurance and professional registration where applicable.

8. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

If a child or vulnerable adult is believed to be at risk of significant harm, Safe Futures Family Service will:

● Listen carefully.

● Remain calm.

● Avoid asking leading questions.

● Record factual information as soon as possible.

● Explain that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where someone is at risk.

● Seek advice where appropriate.

● Report concerns to the relevant statutory authority without unnecessary delay.

This may include:

Northern Ireland

● Gateway Services

● Health and Social Care Trust

● Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

Republic of Ireland

● Tusla – Child and Family Agency

● An Garda Síochána

Where a child is believed to be in immediate danger, emergency services will be contacted immediately.

9. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safe Futures Family Service respects confidentiality.

However, information may be shared without consent where:

● a child is at risk of significant harm

● a vulnerable adult is at risk

● serious crime is suspected

● disclosure is required by law

● disclosure is necessary to protect life

Information sharing will be proportionate, lawful and in accordance with:

● UK GDPR

● Data Protection Act 2018

● professional guidance

● safeguarding legislation

10. Working with Families

Safe Futures Family Service provides child-centred, relationship-focused interventions.

Where appropriate, we seek to:

● work collaboratively with parents

● reduce conflict

● improve communication

● strengthen protective relationships

● promote children’s emotional wellbeing

Safeguarding responsibilities always take precedence over therapeutic relationships.

11. Professional Boundaries

Safe Futures Family Service will:

● maintain professional boundaries

● avoid conflicts of interest

● act with integrity and impartiality

● ensure services remain child-focused

12. Court Work

Safe Futures Family Service may work alongside families involved in:

● Private Law proceedings

● Public Law proceedings

The service is not an Expert Witness service unless separately instructed and commissioned.

Where reports are provided, they will accurately reflect:

● work undertaken

● attendance

● factual observations

● agreed outcomes

Any safeguarding concerns identified during intervention will be managed in accordance with statutory safeguarding responsibilities.

13. Record Keeping

Records will:

● be factual

● be contemporaneous where possible

● distinguish fact from opinion

● be securely stored

● comply with data protection legislation

Records will only be retained for as long as necessary in accordance with legal and professional requirements.

14. Safer Working Practice

Safe Futures Family Service is committed to safe professional practice.

This includes:

● obtaining appropriate consent

● maintaining confidentiality

● lone working risk assessments where applicable

● secure storage of records

● appropriate supervision and reflective practice

● continuous professional development

15. Equality and Inclusion

Safe Futures Family Service is committed to providing services that are inclusive and non-discriminatory.

All children and families will be treated with dignity regardless of:

● age

● disability

● race

● religion

● gender

● sexual orientation

● family structure

● socio-economic background

16. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

● legislation changes

● safeguarding guidance changes

● significant incidents occur

● organisational changes require review

Contact

Safe Futures Family Service

Email: [Insert Email]

Telephone: (+44) 7793 113531