Safeguarding Policy

Company number: 17413544

Not-for-profit Organisation

Registered office: 861 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, England, B28 8BH

Effective date: 21 August 2026

Birmingham Community Partnership Ltd ("BCP", "we", "us" or "our") is committed to promoting the safety and welfare of people who come into contact with our activities.

BCP may work with children, families, disabled and neurodivergent people, older people, people experiencing domestic abuse, homelessness, isolation or financial hardship, and others who may be at increased risk of harm.

This policy explains the approach BCP will take where a safeguarding concern arises.

This policy applies to:

• BCP directors;
• employees;
• volunteers;
• contractors; and
• anyone carrying out activities on behalf of BCP.

BCP will seek to:

• treat people with dignity and respect;
• take safeguarding concerns seriously;
• listen without making assumptions;
• respond proportionately to the circumstances;
• consider the wishes and safety of the individual;
• share information where necessary to protect someone from harm; and
• involve appropriate specialist or statutory services where required.

For safeguarding purposes, a child is anyone under the age of 18.

An adult at risk may include an adult who has care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect and, because of those needs, may be unable to protect themselves from that abuse or neglect.

Safeguarding concerns may arise in many different circumstances and are not limited to physical harm.

They may include abuse, neglect, exploitation, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour, discriminatory abuse, modern slavery or other forms of serious harm.

Anyone acting on behalf of BCP who becomes aware of a safeguarding concern should raise it promptly with a BCP director or, where one has been appointed, the person responsible for safeguarding within BCP.

Only information reasonably necessary to understand the concern should be obtained.

BCP will consider what action is appropriate based on the circumstances.

• taking immediate steps to support safety;
• seeking appropriate safeguarding advice;
• supporting a referral to a specialist organisation;
• referring a concern to the relevant local authority;
• contacting the police or emergency services; or
• taking no further safeguarding action where this is appropriate.

Where there is an immediate risk of serious harm or a medical emergency, the appropriate emergency service should be contacted.

Call 999 where there is an immediate danger to life or safety.

Safeguarding concerns that do not require an emergency response may be referred to the appropriate local authority or specialist service.

BCP recognises that people experiencing domestic abuse or violence against women and girls may face particular risks around safety, housing, finances, technology, children and access to services.

Where concerns arise, BCP will seek to:

• listen without judgement;
• avoid taking action that could unnecessarily increase risk;
• provide appropriate information;
• support access to specialist services where appropriate; and
• consider safeguarding action where there is a serious risk of harm.

Where appropriate, BCP will seek the individual's agreement before sharing information with another organisation.

There may be circumstances where information can or should be shared without consent, including where:

• a child may be at risk of harm;
• an adult at risk may be experiencing abuse or neglect;
• there is a serious risk to life or safety;
• a serious crime may be involved; or
• disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law.

Where BCP takes action in response to a safeguarding concern, an appropriate record may be made.

Records should be factual, relevant, proportionate, stored appropriately and accessible only to those who reasonably require them.

Where possible, records should distinguish between what was observed, what was reported by another person and any action taken by BCP.

Any safeguarding allegation or serious concern involving a director, employee, volunteer, contractor or other person acting on behalf of BCP will be taken seriously.

The concern should be raised with a BCP director who is not directly involved in the allegation.

BCP will consider whether the matter should be referred to an appropriate safeguarding authority, the police or another relevant body.

BCP may restrict or suspend someone's involvement in activities while a serious concern is considered where this is reasonably necessary to protect others.

BCP will consider safeguarding risks when designing and delivering activities.

Depending on the activity, this may include considering:

• appropriate supervision;
• accessibility and communication needs;
• safe venues and methods of contact;
• professional boundaries;
• lone working;
• online activity;
• suitability of people carrying out particular roles; and
• whether a role requires or is eligible for a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

BCP may work alongside Local Authorities, health services, charities, community organisations and specialist providers.

Where another organisation is better placed to respond to a safeguarding or specialist support need, BCP may provide information about that service or support an appropriate referral.

BCP does not guarantee the availability, eligibility criteria or decisions of another organisation.

Safeguarding information will be treated sensitively.

However, BCP cannot promise absolute confidentiality where information may need to be shared to protect a child, an adult at risk or another person from serious harm.

Information will only be shared where there is an appropriate reason to do so.

BCP will have regard, where relevant to its activities, to applicable safeguarding law and guidance in England, including:

• the Children Act 1989;
• the Children Act 2004;
• the Care Act 2014; and
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.

BCP may update this policy as its activities develop or where safeguarding law, guidance or organisational arrangements change.

The latest version will be published on the BCP website.

Effective from: 21 August 2026