Blossomify Community Interest Company

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Safe Guarding

1. Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Blossomify CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who engage with our activities. We believe that every child and young person has the right to feel safe, valued, listened to, and protected from harm.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, volunteers, trustees, and partners working with Blossomify CIC share a duty of care to protect children and young people from abuse, neglect, and harm.

Our safeguarding practices are guided by UK legislation and statutory guidance, including:

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children
  • The Children Acts 1989 and 2004

2. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to:

  • All Blossomify CIC staff, volunteers, trustees, and session leaders
  • All children and young people participating in Blossomify CIC activities
  • All settings where Blossomify CIC operates, including community venues and outdoor spaces

This policy is publicly available to ensure transparency and accountability.

3. Safeguarding Lead

Blossomify CIC has a designated Safeguarding Lead who is responsible for overseeing safeguarding practices and responding to concerns.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Name: Ruth Musimbago, ruth@blossomify.org
Role: Safeguarding Lead, Blossomify CIC

Any safeguarding concerns should be reported to the Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

4. Our Safeguarding Principles

Blossomify CIC is committed to:

  • Putting the welfare of children and young people first
  • Creating safe, inclusive, and supportive environments
  • Listening to children and taking their views seriously
  • Acting promptly on safeguarding concerns
  • Working in partnership with parents, carers, and external agencies where appropriate

5. Recognising Abuse and Neglect

We recognise that abuse can take many forms, including:

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Neglect
  • Online abuse
  • Peer-on-peer abuse, including bullying and harmful behaviours

Staff and volunteers are trained to recognise signs of abuse and understand their responsibility to report concerns.

6. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

If a child discloses a concern or if an adult has a concern about a child’s safety, the following steps must be taken:

  1. Listen carefully and take the concern seriously
  2. Do not promise confidentiality
  3. Record the concern accurately using the child’s own words where possible
  4. Report immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead

If a child is in immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted by calling 999.

Where appropriate, Blossomify CIC will work with local safeguarding partners, including social care and the police.

7. Safer Working Practices

Blossomify CIC is committed to safer recruitment and working practices, including:

  • Appropriate DBS checks for staff and volunteers
  • Clear role descriptions and codes of conduct
  • Safeguarding training for all staff and volunteers
  • Maintaining appropriate adult-to-child ratios
  • Ensuring children are supervised at all times

Physical contact is kept appropriate, proportionate, and in line with safeguarding guidance.

8. Use of Premises and Outdoor Spaces

When operating in community venues or outdoor areas:

  • Entry and exit procedures are managed to prevent unauthorised access
  • Children are supervised at all times
  • Outdoor activities take place only in designated areas and under adult supervision

Risk assessments are carried out where necessary to ensure safety.

9. Online Safety

Blossomify CIC recognises the importance of online safety and takes reasonable steps to protect children from online harm. Any use of digital devices, platforms, or communication tools is appropriately supervised and monitored.

10. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding information is shared on a need-to-know basis only and in line with data protection legislation. The welfare of the child always takes precedence over confidentiality.

11. Reviewing This Policy

This safeguarding policy is reviewed annually or sooner if:

  • There are changes in legislation or guidance
  • There is a safeguarding incident
  • The organisation’s activities change

12. Contact and Further Information

For safeguarding concerns or questions about this policy, please contact:

Ruth Musimbago
Safeguarding Lead
Blossomify CIC