Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy
Just Being Me
Jenny Field
| Policy owner and Safeguarding Lead | Jenny Field |
| Contact email | contactjustbeingme@gmail.com |
| Date approved | 10 June 2026 |
| Review date | 10 June 2027 or sooner if the law, guidance or services change |
1. Purpose of this policy
Just Being Me is committed to protecting children, young people and adults at risk from abuse, neglect, exploitation and avoidable harm. This policy explains how safeguarding concerns will be prevented, recognised, recorded and reported.
This policy applies to Jenny Field, virtual assistants, contractors, volunteers and anyone acting on behalf of Just Being Me. It applies to 121 coaching, group programmes, workshops, online courses, WhatsApp communities, video calls, social media, events and any other contact connected with the business.
2. Our safeguarding commitment
Just Being Me will:
- treat every person with dignity and respect
- take all safeguarding concerns seriously
- act in the best interests of children and adults at risk
- respond without discrimination
- share information only when it is necessary to protect someone or meet a legal duty
- keep clear and secure safeguarding records
- work with the police, local authority safeguarding teams and other relevant organisations when needed
- review safeguarding arrangements regularly
3. Who this policy protects
Children and young people
A child is anyone under the age of 18.
Adults at risk
The term adult at risk is used in this policy instead of vulnerable adult. An adult may be at risk when they are aged 18 or over, have needs for care and support, are experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect and are unable to protect themselves because of those needs.
A person may be at increased risk because of disability, illness, age, mental health, trauma, dependency, isolation, coercive control or other circumstances. A person should not be labelled as vulnerable simply because they are neurodivergent, disabled or receiving support.
4. Types of abuse and harm
Safeguarding concerns may include:
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse or sexual exploitation
- emotional or psychological abuse
- domestic abuse including coercive or controlling behaviour
- financial or material abuse
- neglect or acts of omission
- discriminatory abuse
- organisational abuse
- modern slavery, trafficking or forced labour
- online abuse, grooming, harassment or exploitation
- self-neglect
- radicalisation
- child criminal exploitation or child sexual exploitation
- female genital mutilation, forced marriage or honour based abuse
This list is not exhaustive. A concern may arise from something a person says, a change in behaviour, visible injuries, information from another person or something witnessed during contact with Just Being Me.
5. Safeguarding Lead
Jenny Field is the Safeguarding Lead for Just Being Me and is responsible for receiving concerns, deciding what action is needed, making referrals and keeping safeguarding records.
Safeguarding concerns should be reported to Jenny Field at contactjustbeingme@gmail.com.
When the concern relates to Jenny Field, the person raising the concern should contact the police, the relevant local authority safeguarding team or another appropriate statutory service directly.
6. Responding to a disclosure or concern
When someone shares information that may be a safeguarding concern, Just Being Me will:
- listen calmly and take the person seriously
- avoid asking leading questions or investigating the allegation
- explain that complete confidentiality cannot be promised when someone may be at risk
- record the person’s own words as accurately as possible
- note the date, time, people involved and action taken
- consider immediate safety
- report the concern to the appropriate service without unnecessary delay
No promise will be made to keep abuse or serious risk secret. Information will only be shared with people who need it to protect the person or meet a legal responsibility.
7. Immediate danger and urgent action
If a child or adult is in immediate danger or a crime is taking place, the police will be contacted on 999.
For a non-emergency police matter, contact may be made through 101.
Where urgent medical help is required, 999 will be called or the person will be supported to obtain suitable medical care.
8. Reporting concerns about a child
Concerns about a child will be reported to the children’s social care team for the local authority where the child lives. The police will also be contacted where a crime may have been committed or there is immediate danger.
Parents or carers will normally be informed unless doing so may increase the risk to the child, place another person at risk, interfere with an investigation or go against advice from the police or children’s social care.
The NSPCC Helpline may be contacted for advice on 0808 800 5000.
9. Reporting concerns about an adult at risk
Concerns about an adult at risk will normally be discussed with the adult and their wishes will be considered wherever possible.
A referral may be made to the relevant local authority adult safeguarding team when there is reason to believe that an adult with care and support needs is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect and may be unable to protect themselves.
A concern may be reported without the adult’s consent when there is immediate or serious risk, another person may be at risk, a child may be affected, a serious crime may have been committed, the person may lack capacity to make the decision or there is another legal or public interest reason to share the information.
Any decision to share information without consent will be recorded with the reason for the decision.
10. Mental health concerns and risk of self-harm
Just Being Me is not an emergency or crisis service. If someone appears to be at immediate risk of serious self-harm or suicide, emergency services will be contacted.
Where the risk is not immediate, the person may be encouraged to contact their GP, NHS 111, a local crisis service or another suitable source of support. Safeguarding action will be considered where care and support needs, abuse, neglect or risk from another person are also present.
11. Confidentiality and information sharing
Personal information will be handled in line with the Just Being Me Privacy Policy and applicable data protection law.
Safeguarding information may be shared when it is necessary, proportionate and relevant to protect a child or adult at risk. Consent will be sought where appropriate but a lack of consent will not prevent information being shared when there is a lawful and necessary reason to do so.
Only the minimum information needed will be shared. The reason, recipient and date of any disclosure will be recorded.
12. Record keeping
Safeguarding records will be factual, dated and stored securely. They will be kept separately from general coaching or client notes where possible.
Records will include:
- what was seen, heard or reported
- the person’s own words where possible
- the date, time and location
- the names of those involved
- any immediate action taken
- who the concern was reported to
- the reason for decisions made
Records will only be accessed by people who need the information for safeguarding or legal purposes. Retention periods will be based on legal requirements, the nature of the concern and professional advice where needed.
13. Safer working practices
Just Being Me will use clear professional boundaries in all work with clients and community members. Contact will take place through agreed business channels wherever possible.
Where services involve children, appropriate parental or carer consent, risk assessment, supervision and communication arrangements will be put in place.
Anyone working on behalf of Just Being Me who may have direct contact with children or adults at risk will be expected to follow this policy, maintain suitable boundaries and complete appropriate safeguarding checks or training where their role requires it.
14. Online services and communities
The same safeguarding standards apply online as they do in person.
Just Being Me will:
- set clear rules for WhatsApp groups, online communities and video sessions
- challenge abusive, threatening, discriminatory or exploitative behaviour
- remove content or participants where needed to protect others
- avoid sharing private contact details without permission
- report serious online abuse, grooming, threats or exploitation to the appropriate service
- make clear that online groups are not emergency support services
15. Allegations about someone working with Just Being Me
Any allegation that Jenny Field, a contractor, virtual assistant, volunteer or other representative has harmed or may have harmed a child or adult at risk will be taken seriously.
The person may be removed from relevant duties while the concern is considered. The matter may be reported to the police, the local authority, the Disclosure and Barring Service or another relevant body depending on the circumstances.
No internal investigation will be carried out in a way that may interfere with a police or local authority investigation.
16. Training and review
Safeguarding knowledge will be kept up to date through suitable training, guidance and review.
This policy will be reviewed at least once every 12 months and sooner when there is a change in legislation, statutory guidance, business services or safeguarding practice.
17. Important limits
This policy does not replace the role of the police, social care, health services or emergency services. Just Being Me will not investigate allegations of abuse. Its role is to recognise concerns, respond appropriately, record information and refer matters to the correct service.
18. Relevant legislation and guidance
- Care Act 2014 and Care and Support Statutory Guidance
- Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
- Equality Act 2010
- Human Rights Act 1998