Keeping You Safe

Safeguarding Policy

Keeping You Safe

At Trauma Research UK, your safety and well-being are our highest priority. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive and respectful environment for everyone who accesses our services, whether through mentoring, online support, events or volunteering.

We work with people who may be experiencing distress, trauma, or vulnerability, and we take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously.

What Safeguarding Means

Safeguarding means protecting people from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation, and responding appropriately if there are concerns about someone’s safety or well-being.

This includes:

• Adults who may be vulnerable due to mental health, trauma or life circumstances
• Children and young people (where applicable)
• Anyone engaging with our services, staff, volunteers or mentors

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

• Providing a safe and supportive service
• Acting promptly on any concerns about risk or harm
• Maintaining professional boundaries at all times
• Respecting confidentiality, while understanding when information must be shared to keep someone safe
• Working in line with UK safeguarding legislation and best practice

Recognising Risk and Abuse

We recognise that harm can take many forms, including:

• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Financial or material abuse
• Domestic abuse and coercive control
• Online or digital harm
• Self-harm or risk of suicide

What Happens if There Is a Concern

If a safeguarding concern is raised or a disclosure is made:

• The person will be listened to with care and without judgment
• The concern will be taken seriously and recorded appropriately
• The information will be passed to our Operations Manager
• Where necessary, we will make referrals to statutory services (such as GP, social services or emergency services)
• We will always act in the best interests of safety and well-being

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

We respect confidentiality and privacy. However, if there is a concern that someone is at risk of harm, we may need to share information with relevant professionals or services to keep them safe. This is always done in line with the law and on a need-to-know basis.

Our People and Training

All staff, mentors, and volunteers:

• Receive safeguarding guidance and training
• Are required to follow our safeguarding procedures
• Work within clear professional boundaries
• Are supported through supervision and good practice standards
• Undertake appropriate checks where required (including DBS where applicable)

In an Emergency

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services on 999 (UK) or your local emergency number.