Your Safety, Our Commitment

Policy Information

1. Purpose

Safeguarding young people and adults is protecting their right to live safe from harm. Global Purpose Enterprise (GPE) takes seriously their commitment to cultivate and maintain an environment which is safe for all and will take all necessary steps to protect those who access mentoring and attend our events, in accordance with legislation. Global Purpose Enterprise works with partner organisations and hold the expectation that they too uphold the standards outlined within this Safeguarding policy.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all Global Purpose Enterprise trustees, volunteers, agency workers, contract workers, direct employees, consultants, mentors and mentees. All of whom are expected to be aware of their responsibilities and apply them in practice to ensure all are safe from harm. It is mandatory for everyone to comply with this policy and failure to do so will be immediately addressed and in some cases may result in dismissal from the organisation.

3. Principles

• Everyone, regardless of protected characteristics are entitled to protection from abuse and poor practice
• Global Purpose Enterprise are committed to being an organisation that make reasonable adjustments for any impairment where possible. We acknowledge that ability and disability can directly correlate with vulnerability to being subject to various forms of abuse.
• Any adult that encounters GPE will have their rights, dignity and worth respected.
• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and thus we will act timely and appropriately to any concerns raised.
• All allegations will be taken seriously and acknowledged within 24hours (Operating times only).
• GPE acknowledges the remit of the statutory agencies in safeguarding adults and will work in a way that is compliant with these agencies.

4. Definitions

Safeguarding 'Adult at risk'

This term reflects that people with care and support needs may be more susceptible to abuse or neglect. Or as defined in the Care Act 2014, an adult at risk is someone 18 years old or older who:

• Has needs for care and support
• is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
• as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect

5. Legislation

The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the principles contained within the international safeguarding legislation and Government Guidance. They take the following into consideration:

• England - The Care Act 2014
• Wales - Social Services and Well Being Act 2014
• Scotland - Adult Support and Protection Act 2007
• Northern Ireland - Adult Safeguarding Prevention and Protection in Partnership 2015
• The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012
• The Equality Act 2010
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• England and Wales - Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Scotland - Adults with Incapacity Act 2000
• Mental Capacity (Northern Ireland) 2016
• Sexual Offences Act 1956 & 2003
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• The Data Protection Act 1998

6. Safeguarding Audit and Review Process

Global Purpose Enterprise will ensure the safeguarding policy is reviewed annually, with an audit taking place every three years.

7. Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• Is the nominated safeguarding lead for Global Purpose Enterprise and will provide operation support and advise organisation-wide.
• Ensures that partner organisations complete the relevant checks on mentors
• Manages information sharing with external organisations where required
• Be a point of escalation and advice for the Safeguarding officers when managing safeguarding concerns and the main point of contact both internally and externally
• Provide safeguarding advice and support for all staff, mentors, and mentees as required
• Oversees case management of safeguarding incidents and cases
• Responsibility to provide/outsource safeguarding training for all staff across the organisation
• Report all safeguarding concerns to partner organisation
• In emergencies, alert emergency services

Safeguarding Officer (SO) - Andre Spence

• To deputise for the DSL as required
• Providing the initial response to low level safeguarding incidents and concerns
• Ensuring that safeguarding concerns are escalated immediately to the DSL
• Support setting a safeguarding first culture within the organisation
• Ensuring all external stakeholders, they are responsible for are compliant and adhering to safeguarding policies and procedures

All staff

All staff working for Global Purpose Enterprise have a series of responsibilities relating to safeguarding, including:

• Raising awareness of safeguarding amongst other members of staff
• Work in a way that minimises the risk of creating an environment in which abuse might occur. This includes, appropriate use of language when engaging with mentors, running safe events/activities and maintaining boundaries.
• Report safeguarding concerns that come to their attention by the end of that specific working day via email or phone to +44 7555 182457 or safeguarding@globalpurposeenterprise.com
• Ensure compliance of this policy
• Ensure all mandatory training is complete in a timely manner

8. Recruitment processes and procedures

Global Purpose Enterprise recruits and selects staff in line with safer recruitment best practice to ensure mentors and all employees are suitable to work with mentees. Before onboarding, the DSL will liaise with DSLs within partner organisations to ensure that a comprehensive selection process is in place when matching potential mentors. This includes DBS check where appropriate, ID verification checks, googles searches and references.

No person who is prohibited by their local laws from working with children and adults at risk may take up any role working with GPE.

9. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

When you have a concern, or someone raises concerns with you

It's important to note that as a mentor it is not your responsibility to decide if an adult is being abused. However, it is your duty report and respond to concerns so that the matter can be addressed appropriately.

• If you are concerned someone is in immediate danger, dial 999 immediately and alert the DSL.
• Where you suspect that a crime is being committed, notifying the police is mandatory.
• If you have concerns that someone is being abused, mentors are displaying poor practice or have any welfare concerns, notify the safeguarding officer immediately- they will then alert the DSL. If the Safeguarding officer is not available, then please notify the DSL via phone (if you suspect a serious concern) or via email (if you feel this is a lower-level concern).
• In the instance that neither the safeguarding officer or DSL is available please notify the CEO. Please note that safeguarding incident forms need to be completed as soon as possible.

How to respond to a concern

1. Make a note of your concerns. Record what the person has said using their own words as soon as practicable. Inform the individual of your obligation to share the information with safeguarding staff. Never promise confidentiality.
2. When reporting the concerns, ensure you describe the circumstances in which the disclosure came about. Take care to distinguish between observation, opinion fact, and allegation. REMEMBER: Accuracy is key.
3. Complete an Incident log and submit to the safeguarding inbox (safeguarding@globalpurposeenterprise.com)
4. Treat the information with confidentiality at all times. You are prohibited to share safeguarding information with anyone but the safeguarding team unless for specific reasons and this should be on a need-to-know basis only.
5. For urgent matters, please contact the emergency services immediately.

10. Protocol

In the event of a serious safeguarding concern being raised to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, they will follow the following protocol:

1. The information will immediately be passed on to the relevant safeguarding authorities e.g.- the police, local authority etc.
2. Global Purpose Enterprise shall undertake any reasonable actions to support external agencies' investigations and provide any required documentation.
3. Global Purpose Enterprise shall not, under any circumstances, undertake any independent investigation to avoid jeopardising any other enquiry unless given authority to do so.
4. All allegations or suspicions shall be referred to the partner agency, local authority and/or police within 24 hours.

11. Complaints and whistleblowing

Global Purpose Enterprise prides itself on quality practice and integrity- and expects this from all those who work for and with us. Any employee irrespective of level within the organisation, that whistle blows will be protected if they raise any concerns. We ensure that partner organisations have similar policies in place for managing whistleblowing and that mentees and mentors can easily access them.

12. Standards of Behaviour

The below sets out the non-negotiable standards of behaviour that we expect from our staff, so that everyone involved with the project is clear about what is expected of them in relation to safeguarding. Although we encourage mentors to build supportive relationships with mentees in order to help guide them, we expect all members of staff to be mindful of how their practice can jeopardise GPE's and impact the wellbeing of our beneficiaries.

We expect all GPE staff to model best practice in relation to working with children and young people and not engage in any of the following behaviours:

• Discrimination, bullying, and harassment toward any of the mentees.
• Belittling or shaming any of the mentees.
• Interacting with the mentees in an inappropriate way, resulting in them feeling uncomfortable.
• Entering a sexual/intimate relationship with a mentee including suggestive conversations.
• Entering into a relationship with a mentee outside of the project.
• Conversing with the mentees via social media- including but not limited to WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram.
• Accepting friend invitations or sharing personal numbers with any of the mentees.
• Take pictures of the mentees (unless authorised by the CEO for advertising/marketing purposes) or share photos of yourself.
• Giving gifts, privileges or rewards to a mentee.
• Undertaking mentoring duties whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

13. Virtual Mentoring

Mentoring will take place virtually via the PGRSS app. It is crucial to bare in mind that safeguarding remains integral, even in the virtual sphere the importance of safeguarding remains paramount. The Standards of Behaviour, reporting and responding to concern protocols still apply. Global Purpose Enterprise notes that virtual sessions may present different forms of safeguarding concerns to those typically seen in face-to-face sessions, however, if a concern is presented virtually, it should be addressed in the manner which is outlined within this policy.

In order to minimise online risk, we commit to doing the following:

• Account Verification: We conduct a thorough account verification process by reviewing all applications and verifying the identities of mentors and mentees to ensure that only approved individuals can access the platform.
• Password-Protected Access: All access to the PRGRSS app is secured with password protection to ensure that only verified users can participate.
• Content Monitoring: We have implemented the 'Word Safe' feature, which flags inappropriate language during interactions. Any flagged content is immediately reviewed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for appropriate action.
• Regular Security Updates: We consistently review and update the security of our platform to protect user data and maintain a safe environment.
• Risk Assessments for New Technologies: Before integrating new technologies or social media platforms, we conduct risk assessments to ensure compliance with safeguarding policies and minimise potential risks.

14. Communication

When GPE portrays the work we do with mentees for marketing purposes, safeguarding will still be observed. GPE will not use images of mentees without their consent or use images that show adults in a state that will put them at risk of harm. All images will be used and stored in compliance with data protection laws.

15. Safeguarding User Information for Verification and Security

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all users on our platform, we collect and store specific personal information, including your mobile number, profile photo, and country. This information is used primarily for identity verification purposes, helping us ensure that all users are genuine and accountable.

In the event of any breach of our safeguarding policies, this information will be utilized to investigate the breach and, where necessary, report it to the relevant safeguarding authorities. Our use of your data in this context is strictly for the protection of users and the integrity of our platform.

Your personal information will be handled in accordance with our privacy policy and will only be shared with third parties in circumstances where it is required by law or necessary for safeguarding investigations. By using our platform, you acknowledge and consent to this use of your personal information for safety and verification purposes.