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Welcome to our new website. We’re celebrating 40 years of delivering self-harm support shaped by the people we work with. You told us support needs to be easier to find, easier to access and feel less exposing – this is part of that change. Read more about our change from Self Injury Support to Sift.

Safeguarding Policy

Updated January 2026 

  1. Introduction

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers and trustees in Self Injury Support (SIS). Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. SIS is committed to creating a strong and safe community and recognises the right of every individual to stay safe. This policy outlines our approach to safeguarding children and adults at risk, detailing responsibilities, procedures, and governance structures.

We come into contact with children and adults at risk through:

  • Multi-channel UK-wide emotional support services (phone, text, webchat, email, letter)
  • Information and navigation services open to the public
  • Referral-only peer support services
  • Volunteers and staff involved in community outreach events
  • Requests for information via email or other communication channels

Our services are often anonymous and remote, which means we typically do not hold personal identifying information about clients. All support contacts are logged using non-identifying information.

We acknowledge the sensitive nature of our work, the risks involved, and the importance of careful decision-making regarding referrals, safeguarding concerns, and multi-agency collaboration. If staff are uncertain about how to proceed or face internal disagreements, a referral will be made to either the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or adult safeguarding in the relevant local authority. Currently, our work spans Bristol City Council, Bath & North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.

We adopt a trauma-informed approach, recognising that distress and self-injury may be responses to trauma, and that our responses prioritise safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

  1. Legislative Framework

This policy aligns with the following legislation and guidance:

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
  • Children and Families Act 2014
  • Care Act 2014 and forthcoming Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS)
  • Children Act 2004
  • Equality Act 2010
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Amendment) Order 2025
  • Online Safety Act 2023
  • Domestic Abuse Act 2021
  • Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
  • Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
  • Data Protection Act 2018 / UK GDPR
 
  1. Definitions

Safeguarding: Embedding practices across the organisation to promote welfare and protect children and adults at risk.

Child Protection / Adult Protection: Responding to situations where there is evidence or risk of abuse or neglect.

Abuse and Neglect: Maltreatment that may occur directly (inflicting harm) or indirectly (failure to prevent harm). Abuse can occur in family, institutional, or community settings, by adults, peers, or self-harm. Forms include:

  • Physical, sexual, emotional abuse
  • Neglect
  • Bullying
  • Financial or material abuse
  • Sexual exploitation
  • Domestic abuse (including informal relationships)
  • Online abuse
  • Radicalisation

Child: Anyone under the age of 18 (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child).

Adult at Risk: A person aged 18+ who:

  • Has care and support needs, whether met or unmet
  • Is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect
  • As a result, is unable to protect themselves

Includes people who are elderly, frail, mentally ill, have a disability, severe illness, substance misuse issues, or are homeless.

  1. Roles and Responsibilities

All Staff and Volunteers

  • Follow safeguarding guidance and service-level procedures
  • Promote welfare and safe practices
  • Report concerns immediately using internal reporting structures
  • Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
 

Safeguarding Team (Named Staff & Trustees)

  • Promote welfare of children and adults at risk
  • Ensure policy accessibility and implementation
  • Receive and respond to safeguarding concerns promptly
  • Maintain links with relevant agencies
  • Review incidents and update policies/processes
  • Report annually to Trustees
 

Trustees

  • Ensure adequate safeguarding commitment and resources
  • Oversee Safeguarding Team activities
  • Keep updated on local and national safeguarding developments
  • Ensure the policy is regularly reviewed
 

Managers / Coordinators

  • Support staff in recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns
  • Approve work pattern adjustments for reflective practice and counselling
  • Ensure staff and volunteers receive appropriate training
 
  1. Safe Recruitment
  • All roles involving contact with children/adults at risk include safeguarding responsibilities in job descriptions
  • Shortlisting based on formal applications, not CVs alone
  • Interviews conducted per equal opportunities principles
  • DBS Checks: Enhanced DBS checks are required; staff barred from working with vulnerable groups are legally prohibited from roles
  • Online DBS update service registration is strongly encouraged
  • All convictions or cautions are reviewed by two staff members for relevance
  • Right-to-work checks and online/social media vetting may be used where appropriate
  • DBS data-sharing practices align with 2025 amendments
 
  1. Safeguarding Procedures

6.1 Reporting Concerns

  • Communicate concerns to line manager unless immediate risk prevents it
  • Manager assesses if individual is identifiable
  • Seek advice from LADO or local safeguarding authority as required
  • Complete incident forms and submit to Local Authority Safeguarding Boards if needed
  • Record feedback in safeguarding records
 

6.2 Allegations Against Staff/Volunteers

  • Report concerns immediately to line manager
  • Written record maintained
  • LADO consulted and guidance followed
  • DBS notified where required
  • Whistleblowing: Staff may raise concerns with NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline (0800 028 0285) or Charity Commission if senior staff or trustees involved
 
  1. Digital and Online Safeguarding
  • Staff must use organisational accounts and systems only for service communication
  • Risks such as grooming, exploitation, AI-generated content, and online harm must be reported
  • Digital logs maintained securely; screenshots and records follow GDPR
  • Personal contact details must not be shared with service users
 
  1. Training and Induction
  • Mandatory safeguarding induction for all staff and volunteers
  • Annual refresher training for all staff
  • Enhanced safeguarding training for managers and trustees
  • Training includes trauma-informed approaches, digital safeguarding, and multi-agency responsibilities
  • Supervision and reflective practice sessions approved by line managers
 
  1. Professional Boundaries
  • Confidentiality of client information must be maintained
  • Personal information must not be shared
  • Breaches may result in disciplinary procedures
 
  1. Supporting Staff
  • Debriefing for staff exposed to safeguarding incidents
  • Reflective supervision available monthly
  • Access to counselling and signposting to external support services
 
  1. Record-Keeping and Data Management
  • Safeguarding records stored securely, GDPR-compliant
  • Retained for 7 years (or as required by law)
  • Shared only on a need-to-know basis
  • Clients informed of exceptional actions in the public interest
 
  1. Monitoring and Review
  • Safeguarding Team reviews incidents, policies, and record-keeping regularly
  • Annual reporting to Trustees
  • Policy reviewed every 1 year or when legislation changes
  • Staff feedback incorporated into updates
 
  1. Related Policies
  • Privacy Policy
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Equal Opportunities Policy
  • Health & Safety Policy
  • Grievance & Disciplinary Procedures

Sift Designated officer is Tim Fawke and can be contacted on  [email protected]