Accessibility policy
Learn about the accessibility of our website and the steps we have taken to ensure it is usable by people with a diverse range of needs.
Our Definition of Safeguarding
Safeguarding encompasses the measures and actions we take to identify, prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, self-harm, and any risk of harm to children, young people and adults at risk who come into contact with Changing Faces.
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
If you have immediate concerns about someone’s safety, call 999 or contact your local authority’s safeguarding team immediately.
To report a safeguarding concern to Changing Faces:
- Email us at [email protected] with “Safeguarding Concern” in the subject line
- Use our internal reporting procedures if you are staff or a volunteer
Any suspicions or allegations of abuse or risk of harm will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately in collaboration with the person at risk themselves, where possible.
Who We Protect
Children and Young People: We define children as anyone under 18 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and under 16 years in Scotland.
Adults at Risk: An ‘adult’ is defined as anyone aged 18+ years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or 16+ years in Scotland.
Our Approach
We work alongside children, young people and adults at risk in a way that:
- Has a positive impact on their lives
- Enhances their involvement, choice and control
- Improves their quality of life, wellbeing and safety
- Respects their wishes while prioritising their protection
We recognise that everyone has different preferences, histories, circumstances and lifestyles. Our safeguarding approach is person-led and outcome-focused, seeking to understand how best to respond to each individual situation.
Prevention and Protection
- Safe Recruitment: All staff and volunteers responsible for delivering care or working alone with people at risk undergo comprehensive background checks, including DBS or PVG screening where appropriate.
- Training: Mandatory safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers, appropriate to their role and regularly refreshed
- Clear Policies: Comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures that are regularly reviewed and updated
- Safe Environment: We provide a safe environment for our staff, volunteers, and the people we support
- Confidentiality Balance: While we respect confidentiality, we will breach it when necessary to prevent harm or protect someone at risk.
Our Safeguarding Team
Our dedicated Safeguarding Team are qualified and experienced professionals who maintain current understanding of safeguarding issues and best practice as part of their ongoing professional development.
- Safeguarding Lead: Oversight of all our safeguarding policies, procedures and practices – leads the safeguarding team in maintaining good practice and working within up-to-date and informed approaches regarding safeguarding issues.
- Safeguarding Staff: Service Managers and designated staff members qualified and experienced in responding to safeguarding situations. The safeguarding team always consult with at least one other safeguarding team member before making any decisions about next steps.
Safeguarding governance
- Chief Executive: Works closely with the Safeguarding Lead, provides oversight and is kept informed regarding all significant safeguarding matters
- Safeguarding Trustee: Provides oversight, informs the other trustees of significant safeguarding incidents, and ensures Board-level commitment to safeguarding
Our safeguarding policies are reviewed annually. Last reviewed: November 2024. Next review: November 2025.
Questions about our safeguarding approach? Contact us at [email protected]