At HASCS safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We promote a safe culture where concerns are welcomed, listened to and acted upon. Our approach covers children, young people and adults at risk, and applies to all staff, bank/agency workers, contractors, volunteers, students and Trustees/Directors.
1) What we mean by safeguarding
Safeguarding means helping people to stay safe, preventing harm wherever possible, and taking prompt action if anyone is at risk of abuse or neglect. It includes safety online and in the community, respect for people’s human rights, and support to make informed choices.
2) What you can expect from us
- Policies & governance: Clear safeguarding and safer‑recruitment policies, reviewed at least annually, with board‑level oversight.
- Trained team: Induction and regular refreshers appropriate to each role; clear guidance on professional boundaries.
- Safe processes: Risk assessment, incident reporting, whistleblowing and complaints routes that are easy to use and monitored for learning.
- Partnership working: We liaise with local safeguarding partners (Local Authority Safeguarding Teams/Boards, NHS, police, LADO where relevant) and follow local escalation pathways.
- Information sharing: We balance confidentiality with the duty to protect people, sharing information lawfully when it is necessary to keep someone safe.
- Listening & inclusion: We involve people and (where appropriate) families/advocates in decisions, take account of protected characteristics and accessibility needs, and make reasonable adjustments.
Our safeguarding arrangements align with CQC’s Single Assessment Framework (Safe – safeguarding quality statement) and Regulation 13 (safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment).
3) How to raise a concern
- Emergency: If someone is at immediate risk, call 999.
- Contact us:
Designated Adult Safeguarding Leads (DSL/DASM):
Sydney Masawi – Clinical Director
Kate Ganzon – Clinical Director
Designated Children & Young Adults Safeguarding Leads (DSL/DASM):
Kate Steel – Paediatric Clinical Director
Jodyne Jurd – Paediatric Clinical Director
Alternatively, you can report directly to your Local Authority or the police. If your concern involves a child and relates to the behaviour of someone working or volunteering with us, we will liaise with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
If you prefer to remain anonymous, please tell us, your concern will still be taken seriously.
Our safer‑recruitment & conduct standards
- Pre‑employment checks proportionate to role (including DBS where eligible), verified references, identity and right‑to‑work checks.
- Clear codes of conduct, probation reviews, supervision, professional boundaries and social media guidance.
Privacy, records and learning
- We keep safeguarding records securely and only for as long as necessary.
- We review incidents, complaints and feedback to improve practice and share learning.