Safeguarding Policy

Last updated: April 2026  ·  Review date: April 2027

1. Policy Statement

Visibly Her CIC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of every woman who engages with our services. We recognise that the women we serve are navigating life with chronic illness, and may be experiencing vulnerability as a result of their health, circumstances, or history. We take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously and hold them as central to our purpose.

This policy applies to the founder, all facilitators, volunteers, associates, and anyone acting on behalf of Visibly Her CIC.

2. Scope

Visibly Her CIC works exclusively with adult women. Our participants may be adults at risk as defined under the Care Act 2014, particularly women who:

• Have care and support needs arising from chronic health conditions or disability
• Are experiencing or have experienced trauma, domestic abuse, or other adverse experiences
• Are at risk of social isolation, financial vulnerability, or exploitation

Visibly Her CIC does not work directly with children. However, many of our participants are parents or carers, and we are alert to the intersection of adult and child safeguarding concerns.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead

Stephanie Brown, Founder and Director
Email: info@visiblyher.org

In Stephanie's absence, or where the concern relates to Stephanie, participants should contact the Regulator of Community Interest Companies or seek advice from the local authority Adult Social Care team directly.

4. Our Commitments

• Creating a safe, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental environment in all groups and services
• Treating every participant with dignity, respect, and care
• Ensuring all facilitators hold appropriate safeguarding qualifications and training
• Taking all safeguarding concerns seriously and acting promptly
• Referring to statutory services where there is risk of harm
• Maintaining appropriate confidentiality, understanding that it cannot be absolute where there is risk of harm
• Supporting any participant who discloses abuse, trauma, or risk in a trauma-informed and non-judgmental manner

5. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Facilitators and volunteers should be alert to signs that a participant may be at risk, including:

• Disclosure of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or domestic violence
• Expressions of suicidal ideation, self-harm, or hopelessness
• Significant changes in presentation, behaviour, or withdrawal from the group
• Signs of financial exploitation or coercive control
• Concerns raised by another participant or third party

Facilitators are not expected to investigate concerns. Their role is to listen, record, and refer to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

6. Responding to a Disclosure or Concern

If a participant discloses abuse or a concern arises:

• Listen calmly. Do not interrupt, express disbelief, or ask leading questions
• Reassure the person without making promises about confidentiality you cannot keep
• Record what was said as accurately as possible, using the person's own words where possible
• Report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead without delay

The DSL will assess the concern and determine the appropriate response, which may include supporting the participant to access services, making a referral to Adult Social Care, or contacting the police where there is immediate risk.

Emergency: If there is an immediate risk to life, call 999. Do not wait to consult the DSL.

7. Online and Group Safety

Visibly Her CIC delivers peer support groups both in person and online. The following additional considerations apply:

• Online groups are delivered via secure video conferencing. Links are shared only with registered participants
• Participants are asked not to record sessions or share the personal disclosures of other group members
• Facilitators monitor group dynamics and will intervene where a participant appears to be in distress or at risk
• Where a concern arises in an online session, the facilitator will follow the same reporting process as for in-person sessions

8. Confidentiality and Its Limits

Visibly Her CIC treats all information shared within groups and 1:1 sessions with care and respect. What is shared in the group stays in the group.

However, confidentiality is not absolute. We may need to share information without consent where:

• There is a risk of serious harm to the participant or others
• A child is believed to be at risk
• A criminal offence has been or may be committed
• We are required to share information by law or statutory authority

Where information must be shared, we will do so on a need-to-know basis and will document what was shared and why.

9. Training and Qualifications

The founder and all facilitators are required to:

• Hold a minimum of a recognised safeguarding adults qualification
• Complete safeguarding refresher training at least every three years
• Read and confirm understanding of this policy on commencement and at each annual review

10. Record Keeping

All safeguarding concerns, disclosures, and actions taken are recorded in writing. Records are factual, accurate, and contemporaneous, stored securely with restricted access, and retained for a minimum of seven years.

11. Useful Contacts

12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Designated Safeguarding Lead, or sooner if there is a change in legislation, guidance, or service delivery. The review date is shown at the top of this document.