1. Introduction

The Men’s Coach is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all children & young people (CYP) participating in our talks, training sessions, and mentoring programmes.

This safeguarding policy outlines our commitment to protecting children & young people from harm and provides guidelines for preventing and responding to safeguarding concerns.

Information provided by The Men's Coach is intended to promote general well-being, not to replace personalised advice you have received based on your individual circumstances. For those with a medical condition, mental health condition, or taking medication, it is recommended you consult your healthcare provider before implementing any of the strategies discussed.

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2. Definitions
 

• Children & Young People (CYP): Individuals under the age of 18 participating in services provided by The Men’s Coach.
   

• Safeguarding: The process of promoting the welfare of children & young people, preventing harm, and responding to concerns about harm or abuse.
   

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): The individual responsible for implementing and overseeing this policy.
   

• Appropriate Adult: A parent, guardian, or teacher responsible for the welfare of a child or young person, who will be involved in communications and notified of any safeguarding concerns.
   

• Staff/Volunteer: Any person employed by or volunteering with The Men’s Coach.

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3. Safeguarding Principles
 

The Men’s Coach is guided by the following safeguarding principles:

• Respect: We treat all children & young people with respect, dignity, and consideration, fostering a safe and inclusive atmosphere.
   

• Prevention: We take proactive measures to prevent harm, abuse, or neglect from occurring.
   

• Response: We have clear procedures in place for responding to safeguarding concerns promptly and appropriately.

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4. Responsibilities
 

4.1 Staff and Volunteers
 

• All staff and volunteers who work with children & young people will receive appropriate safeguarding training.
   

• All staff and volunteers must report any safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
   

• All staff and volunteers must maintain professional boundaries at all times.
   

• Any refusal to complete safeguarding training, after reasonable rescheduling, will result in termination of their role with The Men’s Coach.

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4.2 The Men’s Coach
 

• The Men’s Coach will conduct enhanced checks with the UK Government’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure that staff and volunteers are not included on any barred lists for working with children & young people.
   

• This policy will be reviewed and updated regularly to remain effective and compliant.

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4.3 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
 

• The DSL is responsible for receiving and recording safeguarding concerns.

• The DSL will liaise with relevant authorities and organisations as necessary.

• The DSL will ensure confidentiality in handling safeguarding concerns.

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5. Code of Conduct
 

All staff and volunteers working with children & young people must adhere to the following:
 

• Treat all children & young people with respect and dignity.
   

• Maintain professional boundaries.
   

• Avoid any form of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse.
   

• Report any concerns to the DSL.
   

• Ensure that an appropriate adult is present during interactions with children & young people unless exceptions are pre-approved by the DSL (e.g., in group workshops held in public settings).
   

• When communicating with children & young people, ensure an appropriate adult is involved in the conversation. For instance, when sending emails, an appropriate adult must be CCed.

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6. Transparency
 

To uphold transparency, The Men’s Coach will ensure that an appropriate adult is informed about the topics to be discussed during sessions. Prior to each session, the appropriate adult will receive an overview of the planned topics. This ensures:
 

• Appropriate adults understand the content to be covered.
   

• Opportunities for open conversations between guardians and children & young people about the material.
   

• A collaborative and supportive environment for the child or young person’s mental health development.

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7. Confidentiality
 

To foster trust and create a secure environment:
 

• Mentoring sessions will never be recorded. Audio and video recordings are strictly prohibited.
   

• Safeguarding concerns will be handled confidentially and shared only on a need-to-know basis, in line with legal requirements and best practices.
   

• Written records of safeguarding reports will be securely stored and accessed only by authorized personnel.

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8. Reporting and Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
 

8.1 Reporting
 

• All concerns about the welfare of a child or young person must be reported immediately to the DSL.
   

• In the event of a disclosure of harm, staff/volunteers will support the child or young person before promptly informing their appropriate adult, emergency contact, and/or emergency services.
   

• The Men’s Coach will follow the Government Reporting Procedure: https://www.gov.uk/report-young-person-abuse-to-local-council.

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8.2 Responding
 

• The safety and well-being of the child or young person involved will remain the primary concern.
   

• Local laws and regulations will guide responses to safeguarding concerns.
   

• The Men’s Coach will cooperate fully with authorities and agencies investigating safeguarding matters.
   

• Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent possible.

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9. Review and Monitoring

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary.

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10. Contact Information
 

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Emma Parke
Email: Emma@TheMensCoach.co.uk

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By implementing this Child & Young Person Safeguarding Policy, The Men’s Coach aims to create a safe and supportive environment for all children & young people participating in our programmes, ensuring their mental health and well-being are prioritised.