Safeguarding Policy

Policy Version: 1.0
Date Adopted: 21 May 2026
Review Date: 21 May 2027
Organisation: Earth Village CIC

1. Purpose of this Policy

Earth Village CIC is committed to creating safe, inclusive, trauma-informed, and respectful spaces for all participants, volunteers, facilitators, staff, partners, and visitors.

This safeguarding policy exists to:

  • Protect children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, or unsafe practice.

  • Ensure all facilitators, volunteers, directors, and partners understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

  • Create clear procedures for responding to safeguarding concerns or disclosures.

  • Promote a culture of consent, accountability, transparency, and community care.

This policy applies to all activities organised or facilitated by Earth Village CIC including:

  • Community gatherings

  • Workshops and retreats

  • Nature-based activities

  • Woodland school activities

  • Festivals and events

  • Online spaces

  • Partner venues and land-based projects

  • Volunteer programmes

  • One-to-one support or mentoring

2. Safeguarding Principles

Earth Village CIC believes that:

  • Everyone has the right to feel safe.

  • The welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount.

  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

  • Trauma-informed practice reduces harm and supports wellbeing.

  • Consent, boundaries, and dignity must be respected.

  • Concerns must be taken seriously and acted upon appropriately.

  • Safeguarding applies equally in spiritual, therapeutic, ceremonial, educational, and community settings

3. Definitions

Child

Anyone under the age of 18.

Adult at Risk

An adult who:

  • Has care or support needs; and

  • May be unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Abuse

Abuse may include:

  • Physical abuse

  • Emotional or psychological abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Neglect

  • Financial abuse

  • Coercive or controlling behaviour

  • Discrimination or hate-related abuse

  • Spiritual abuse

  • Online abuse

  • Grooming or exploitation

4. Roles and Responsibilities

Directors and Leadership Team

The directors of Earth Village CIC are responsible for:

  • Ensuring safeguarding procedures are implemented.

  • Responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

  • Maintaining a safe organisational culture.

  • Ensuring relevant insurance and risk assessments are in place.

  • Reviewing safeguarding practices annually.

Facilitators, Volunteers and Staff

All facilitators, volunteers, contractors, and staff must:

  • Read and follow this policy.

  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

  • Report safeguarding concerns immediately.

  • Act respectfully and responsibly at all times.

  • Avoid behaviour that could place themselves or others at risk.

5. Safer Working Practices

Earth Village CIC expects all adults working within the organisation to:

  • Treat all participants with respect and dignity.

  • Obtain consent before physical contact where appropriate.

  • Avoid inappropriate, sexualised, manipulative, intimidating, or coercive behaviour.

  • Never use drugs or alcohol irresponsibly while responsible for participants.

  • Avoid being alone with a child unless unavoidable and appropriate safeguards are in place.

  • Use inclusive and non-discriminatory language.

  • Challenge unsafe or harmful behaviour where appropriate.

  • Report concerns rather than attempting to manage serious situations alone.

6. Children and Young People

Where activities involve under-18s:

  • Appropriate parental or guardian consent must be obtained.

  • Adequate supervision ratios must be maintained.

  • Activities must be age-appropriate.

  • Toileting, transport, photography, and overnight arrangements must be risk assessed.

  • At least one designated safeguarding lead should be identifiable during activities involving children.

Where legally or operationally appropriate, DBS checks may be required for individuals undertaking regulated activity.

7. Adults at Risk

Earth Village CIC recognises that adults may be vulnerable due to:

  • Mental health challenges

  • Neurodivergence

  • Trauma history

  • Disability

  • Addiction or recovery

  • Isolation

  • Financial hardship

  • Emotional distress

Safeguarding responses will seek to:

  • Preserve dignity and autonomy.

  • Empower individuals wherever possible.

  • Balance confidentiality with safety obligations.

8. Trauma-Informed Practice

Earth Village CIC aims to operate in a trauma-informed way by:

  • Prioritising emotional and physical safety.

  • Respecting personal choice and boundaries.

  • Avoiding coercive or shaming practices.

  • Encouraging grounding and regulation practices where appropriate.

  • Recognising power dynamics in facilitation spaces.

  • Providing clear expectations and community agreements.

9. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

If someone discloses abuse or harm:

DO:

  • Stay calm.

  • Listen without judgment.

  • Take the concern seriously.

  • Record factual information as soon as possible.

  • Explain that confidentiality cannot be absolutely guaranteed.

  • Report the concern to the designated safeguarding lead or director.

DO NOT:

  • Promise secrecy.

  • Investigate the matter yourself.

  • Ask leading questions.

  • Confront the alleged perpetrator directly unless immediate safety requires intervention.

If someone is in immediate danger:

  • Contact emergency services by dialling 999.

  • Take reasonable action to ensure immediate safety.

10. Recording Concerns

Safeguarding concerns should be recorded including:

  • Date and time

  • Names involved

  • What was seen, heard, or disclosed

  • Actions taken

  • Who the concern was reported to

Records should be stored securely and confidentially.

11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Information will be handled sensitively and shared only where necessary:

  • To protect someone from harm

  • To fulfil legal safeguarding duties

  • To involve appropriate authorities or support services

Earth Village CIC will comply with relevant UK data protection legislation.

12. Online Safeguarding

For online events or communications:

  • Facilitators should maintain professional boundaries.

  • Harmful, abusive, or exploitative behaviour will not be tolerated.

  • Private messaging with minors should be avoided unless authorised and transparent.

  • Inappropriate content or behaviour may result in removal from online spaces.

13. Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers

Any allegation involving a facilitator, volunteer, staff member, or director will be:

  • Taken seriously

  • Assessed promptly

  • Recorded appropriately

  • Escalated to relevant authorities where required

Temporary suspension from duties may occur while concerns are assessed.

14. Partnership Working

Where Earth Village CIC partners with landowners, venues, schools, or other organisations:

  • Safeguarding expectations should be communicated clearly.

  • Shared responsibilities should be agreed where relevant.

  • Concerns should be escalated collaboratively and appropriately.

15. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Earth Village CIC is committed to creating spaces free from:

  • Racism

  • Sexism

  • Homophobia

  • Transphobia

  • Ableism

  • Religious discrimination

  • Harassment or intimidation

Safeguarding applies equally to all people regardless of background, identity, or belief.

16. Designated Safeguarding Lead

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
 Alisia Clewlow
+44 7465 992330

Deputy DSL (if applicable):
 Jote Prakash Singh
+44 7866 141514

17. Review

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

  • Legislation changes

  • A safeguarding incident occurs

  • Organisational activities significantly expand

18. Policy Approval

Approved by the directors of Earth Village CIC

Signed:

Name: Jote Prakash Singh

Position: Director

Date: 21/05/2026