Awareverse Safeguarding Policy

1. Purpose of this policy

This policy explains how Awareverse responds to safeguarding concerns, manages risk, handles disclosures, and refers concerns to appropriate statutory or emergency services.

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults from harm
• Provide clear safeguarding boundaries and responsibilities
• Explain how concerns are recorded and escalated
• Promote a trauma aware and safety focused approach
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are handled consistently and responsibly

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• The Awareverse website and digital services
• Peer support and safeguarding contact systems
• Community interactions and user submissions
• Safeguarding disclosures received through forms or email
• Future Awareverse support tools and connected services

3. Nature of Awareverse

Awareverse may:

• Listen to concerns
• Provide signposting and guidance
• Encourage contact with appropriate support services
• Refer safeguarding concerns to relevant authorities where necessary
• Maintain safeguarding records where concerns are raised

Awareverse does not:

• Carry out criminal investigations
• Provide emergency response services
• Provide therapy, diagnosis, or medical treatment
• Guarantee ongoing monitoring of users
• Replace statutory safeguarding processes

4. Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Awareverse is:

Support and safeguarding consultation may also involve qualified safeguarding or social care professionals where appropriate.

5. Safeguarding concerns

A safeguarding concern may include, but is not limited to:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse or exploitation
• Emotional abuse
• Neglect
• Domestic abuse
• Online exploitation or grooming
• Self harm or suicide risk
• Coercion or controlling behaviour
• Concerns relating to vulnerable adults
• Concerns involving schools, institutions, or care settings

6. Responding to disclosures

Where a safeguarding concern is disclosed to Awareverse:

• The concern will be reviewed as soon as reasonably possible
• Relevant information may be recorded securely
• Concerns may be referred to the appropriate statutory service
• Emergency situations may require immediate escalation
• Users will be informed where possible if information must be shared

Awareverse will aim to respond in a calm, trauma aware, and non judgemental manner.

7. Confidentiality and information sharing

Information may be shared with:

• Police
• Children’s social care
• Adult safeguarding services
• Emergency services
• Other appropriate safeguarding authorities

Information sharing decisions will be based on safety, proportionality, and legal safeguarding responsibilities.

8. Safeguarding records

Safeguarding contacts and disclosures may be:

• Logged securely
• Assigned a safeguarding reference number
• Stored for safeguarding and evidential purposes
• Reviewed where further action is required

Records are retained only where necessary and handled in line with applicable data protection obligations.

9. Emergency situations

If somebody is believed to be in immediate danger, users should contact emergency services directly by calling:

Awareverse does not operate a live monitored crisis response service.

10. Children and young people

Awareverse recognises that children and young people may communicate distress indirectly, including through behaviour, coded language, withdrawal, emotional dysregulation, or partial disclosures.

Awareverse aims to:

• Respond respectfully and appropriately
• Avoid judgemental or dismissive responses
• Promote safe escalation to trusted adults or statutory services
• Reduce barriers to seeking support

11. Online safety

Awareverse aims to maintain a safe digital environment and does not permit:

• Harassment or abuse
• Encouragement of self harm
• Sexual exploitation content
• Threatening behaviour
• Illegal content or activity

Content or interactions believed to present safeguarding risks may be restricted, logged, or referred where necessary.

12. Data protection

Safeguarding information is handled in line with the Awareverse Privacy Policy and applicable UK data protection law.

Information is processed only where necessary for safeguarding, safety, legal obligations, or legitimate interests.

13. Policy review

This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated where safeguarding processes, legal requirements, or Awareverse services change.