Safeguarding Policy

Purpose and scope

This policy sets out Joseph David Group's commitment to safeguarding and the procedures we follow when a concern arises. It applies to all work undertaken by Joseph David Group, including consultancy in education settings, health and care organisations, and any direct or indirect contact with children or adults at risk.

For the purposes of this policy, a child is defined as any person under the age of 18. A vulnerable adult is defined in accordance with the Care Act 2014 as an individual aged 18 or over who has needs for care and support, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves from that risk or experience.

Legislative framework

This policy is informed by and compliant with the following legislation and statutory guidance.

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
• The Children Act 1989 and 2004
• The Care Act 2014
• The Mental Capacity Act 2005
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018

Types of abuse

Joseph David Group recognises the following categories of abuse and neglect in relation to both children and adults. This list is not exhaustive.

Recognising a concern

A safeguarding concern may arise from something directly observed during work, something disclosed by a child or adult, something reported by a third party such as a teacher or carer, or from a combination of factors that together give cause for concern. Joseph David Group practitioners are trained to remain alert to indicators of abuse or neglect and to treat any concern seriously, recording it accurately and without delay.

Concerns do not need to meet a threshold of certainty before they are recorded and considered. If something does not feel right, it is recorded and assessed.

Escalation procedure and diagram

The following diagram sets out the steps Joseph David Group takes from the point a concern is identified through to referral to the relevant statutory authority. All concerns, regardless of outcome, are recorded in writing.

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

The MASH is the single point of contact for safeguarding referrals involving children in most local authorities in England. Joseph David Group works nationally and will therefore identify the relevant MASH team based on the local authority in which the child lives at the point a referral is required. MASH teams bring together professionals from children's social care, the police, health, and education to assess and respond to referrals. Where a referral is made, Joseph David Group will provide all relevant information clearly and promptly and will cooperate fully with any subsequent enquiry or process.

Confidentiality and information sharing

Joseph David Group handles all personal information in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Safeguarding concerns are treated with appropriate confidentiality. Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis and only with those who have a legitimate role in keeping the individual safe.

Where a safeguarding concern requires information to be shared with a statutory agency without the individual's consent, this will be done where there is a lawful basis for doing so, specifically where there is a risk to the life of the individual or others, where sharing is necessary to prevent serious harm, or where a crime has been or may be committed. The decision to share information without consent will always be documented, including the reasons for that decision.

Culturally sensitive safeguarding practice

Joseph David Group recognises that safeguarding concerns do not always present in the same way across different cultural, faith, and community contexts. Families from some communities may be less likely to disclose concerns to statutory services, may interpret certain behaviours differently, or may face additional barriers to engaging with formal processes. This does not diminish the concern. It means the approach to understanding and responding to it must be considered and informed.

Joseph David Group brings direct experience of working across diverse cultural and linguistic contexts within NHS and independent sector settings in England. Where a safeguarding concern involves a child or adult from a community where cultural or faith factors are relevant, that context will be considered carefully and will never be used as a reason to delay or avoid referral where a threshold is met.

Safer working practices

Joseph David Group adheres to safer working practices at all times. This includes maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with all children and adults, never meeting alone with a child without the knowledge and agreement of a parent, carer, or school representative, ensuring that any direct work with children or young people takes place in an appropriate setting, and conducting all communication with children and young people through professional channels only.

All DBS checks are maintained as required. Joseph David Group holds an enhanced DBS certificate and is familiar with the requirements of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023.

Training

Babul Hussain holds current safeguarding training appropriate to the level of Designated Safeguarding Lead. Training is refreshed in accordance with statutory guidance. Any associate practitioners engaged by Joseph David Group are required to hold current safeguarding training as a condition of engagement, and to provide evidence of this before commencing any work involving children or vulnerable adults.

Governance

Safeguarding concerns can be raised directly with the Designated Safeguarding Lead at hello@josephdavidgroup.com.

Policy review

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if there is a change in relevant legislation or statutory guidance. It was last reviewed in January 2026 and is due for review in January 2027.