Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, Charity Number 1166676

 

Policy Owner: Frontline Committee

Review Cycle: 12 Month

Next Review Date: May 2027(Updated and re-approved May 2026)

 

M Mindful

O Open

S Safe

A Agile

I Inclusive

C Community

Policy, Procedures and Guidance

 

Designated Safeguarding Officer

 

Name: Łukasz Konieczka               

Email: lukasz.konieczka@mosaictrust.org.uk

 

Deputy DSO

 

Name: Klara Lievens

Email: klara.lievens@mosaictrust.org.uk

 

Trustee Lead for Safeguarding

 

Name: Gemma Benton

Email: Gemma.Benton@mosaictrust.org.uk

 

CEOP - www.ceop.police.uk

 

NSPCC Helpline - 0808 800 5000

 

1.   Introduction

 

1.1. Organisation

  

Our mission is to support, educate and inspire young LGBT+ persons and those around them.

We are committed to building proud, strong and kind LGBT+ community that is healthy, safe, and thriving. 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust provides centre-based face-to-face services (both one-to-one and group activities), overnight residentials alongside a digital service. 

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust has traditionally worked with the 12-18 age group, and now also works with 18 - 25 year olds. Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust is aware that young persons may hide their true age in order to access services, to protect their anonymity or for other reasons.

 

1.2. Statement of Intent 

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust believes that the welfare of the young person is paramount as enshrined in the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and Care Act 2014. We believe that all young persons and adults without exception have an equal right to protection from abuse regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.(The Equality Act 2010) or any other characteristic. We understand that some persons are additionally at risk because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues. We are also aware of the intersectionality of said issues and identities that add an additional layer of complexity that staff, volunteers and trustees work with.

 

Although Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust does not have a responsibility and is not able to institute child protection proceedings and legal action to safeguard young persons or young adults, it does have a duty to record and report safeguarding concerns, to run its services safely, and to build and nurture a safe culture within the organisation.

 

1.3. Purpose of Policy

 

The purpose of this policy statement and procedures is to enable Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust to ensure to the best of its ability that the young persons and young adults who access its services are safeguarded from abuse.

 

 To protect young persons and young adults who receive services from Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust.

To provide staff,volunteers and trustees with overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.

 

1.4. Who does this policy apply to?

 

This policy applies to all staff, including the board of trustees, paid staff members, volunteers, interns and session workers or anyone working on behalf of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust as well as guests / external speakers. 

 

1.5. Underlying Principles

 

This policy statement recognises a young person as anyone under the age of 18 and recognises that:

 

The welfare of the young person is paramount in all decisions as enshrined in the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and Care Act 2014.

 

All members, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. or any other characteristic, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse

Some persons are additionally at risk because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

Some groups, such as those with disabilities or those from minorized communities  or experiencing poverty, can be excluded from mainstream services.

Working in partnership with members, and, where appropriate, their parents, caregivers and other agencies is essential in promoting young persons’ and adults’ welfare.

 

Definition of an Adult at Risk

 

This organization follows the statutory guidance of the Care Act 2014. We recognize an 'Adult at Risk' as anyone over 18 who has needs for care and support (e.g., due to illness or disability) and, because of those needs, is unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation.

Safeguarding is not just for those in receipt of social services; it applies to any adult who appears to meet these criteria.

 

We enable our staff, volunteers and those who work with us to make informed and confident decisions that safeguard the young persons and young adults we work with. And we support them to take all suspicions and allegations of abuse, emotional abuse and neglect seriously.  We expect all staff, including the board of trustees, paid staff members, volunteers, interns and session workers or anyone working on behalf of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, to have read, understood and adhere to this policy, guidance and related procedures.

 

1.6. How we implement and enact our policy 

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust will endeavour to protect young persons and young adults, in order to do this, all staff, the board of trustees, paid staff members, volunteers, interns and session workers or anyone working on behalf of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust will;

 

• Adopt this policy and adhere to our associated procedures, code of conduct and good practice for all staff, including the board of trustees, paid staff members, volunteers, interns and session workers or anyone working on behalf of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust.
• Take responsibility at board level and via a clear line of accountability for our safeguarding procedures, including the appointment of a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), Designated Safeguarding Officer and Lead Safeguarding Trustee.
• Ensure that all members of our workforce and our Board of Trustees, and anyone working on behalf of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust know the name of the Designated Safeguarding Officer and their role.
• Ensure that all members of our workforce and our Board of Trustees, and anyone working on behalf Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and for referring any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
• Ensuring that in all our digitally based services, we adopt high standards of safeguarding, commensurate with the standards used in our face-to-face services.
• Value, listen to and respect young persons and young adults, ensuring that for young adults, we obtain their consent unless ‘vital interests’ (as defined in the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR UK) are at stake, or the person has been assessed as lacking mental capacity (as defined in the Mental Capacity Act 2005).
• Where possible seek and take account of the views of the young persons and adults as much as feasibly possible in the circumstances, whilst also safeguarding their welfare and responding with appropriate haste to any situation where there is a serious, direct risk posed to a young person. 
• Ensure that young persons, and young adults are able to recognise, understand and raise concerns where they exist and are aware of our policy on Safeguarding Young Persons and Adults.
• Support any person wishing to make an allegation.
• Record and store information promptly, professionally and securely, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR UK.
• Share concerns about young persons and adults appropriately and without delay with agencies and individuals who need to know, in accordance with our procedures for sharing information, involving young persons, parents, families and caregivers appropriately.  
• Work in a multi-agency context, to efficiently safeguard the young persons and young adults with care and support needs.
• Share information about safeguarding promptly, ensuring that all members of our workforce and our Board of Trustees, and anyone working on behalf Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust are trained in safeguarding and supervised adequately, carry out their roles competently and that they work in an environment where they feel able to raise concerns and feel supported in their safeguarding role;
• Create and maintain an anti-bullying and sexual harassment environment and ensure that we have a Code of Conduct to help us identify and deal effectively with any bullying and sexual harassment that may arise.
• Ensure that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place.
• Operate a safer recruitment policy and procedure when appointing trustees, staff, volunteers and mentors. This includes the requirement for individuals to obtain enhanced criminal records checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service for eligible posts (renewable every three years) and the completion of all other elements of our recruitment procedure.
• Ensure that we provide a safe physical environment for our young persons and young adults, all members of our workforce and our Board of Trustees, and anyone working on behalf Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance, including the Health & Safety at Work Act, 1974.
• Ensure that we provide a safe digital environment for our members, within our physical spaces, while using their own and/or Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust devices through supervision and guidance. 
• Implement codes of conduct for staff, trustees, volunteers and guests.
• We require parental consent for all overnight activities, but use Gillick competence for anything that is not an overnight stay or a day trip. If a young person has capacity to make an informed decision to attend the service or activity and they adhere to the Code of Conduct they will be able to join all programmes that Mosaic runs. Day trips will require parental consent for those younger than 16. We will keep emergency contacts, allergies and medical condition details for all members who attend our programmes where possible.

 

1.7. The Legal Context of our Safeguarding Practice

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust takes account of the following legislation and guidance to safeguard young persons and young adults we work with, and to support our staff and volunteers to work safely:

 

• The Children Acts 1989, 2004 
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991 
• The Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR 
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• The Sexual Offences Act 2003 
• The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 
• The Children and Families Act 2014
• The Communications Act 2003 (S12: offence to send an electronic message that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character)
• Malicious Communications Act 1988 (offence to send a communication with the intention of causing distress or anxiety)
• Serious Crime Act 2015 (particularly S67 – sexual communication with a child)
• Criminal Justice and Courts Act (S33 - revenge pornography (18+) made an offence)
• Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years - Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support young persons and young adults who have special educational needs or disabilities; HM Government 2014
• Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners; HM Government 2018 
• Working together to safeguarding children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; HM Government 2018
• The Care Act 2014 
• The Care Act 2014 Care and Support Statutory Guidance (specifically the safeguarding section of this)
• The Mental Capacity Act 2005
• The Equalities Act 2010 
• Safeguarding Disabled Children: Practice Guidance (2009)
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• The Online Safety Act 2023,

 

This policy should also be read alongside Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust’ other existing policies and procedures namely Health and Safety Policy, Complaints Policy and Whistleblowing Policy. 

 

This policy is reviewed, approved and endorsed by the board of trustees annually (or as requested by the Charity Commission or at times of significant legislative changes).

 

2.   Guidance

 

2.1. Guidance Introduction

 

The work of the Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust is primarily focused on meeting the needs and ensuring the protection of young persons aged under 18 years. In line with the Children Act, this work is undertaken in line with guidance provided by the Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership CSCP.

 

We also work with some adults at risk aged 18 years and under 26 years who, as previous users of our service, require support as they move into adulthood. So national and local adult at risk legislation and regulations would apply to these users and accordingly we would liaise with either the Camden Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board or the equivalent Board from the relevant local authority area to ensure the protection and welfare of these members.   

 

2.2. Who is classed as a child? 

 

Any person who is under 18 years old is classed as a child. Even if a young person aged 16/17 is living independently, for the purposes of safeguarding they are still classed as a child. 

 

2.3. Who is classed as an adult at risk?

 

For the purposes of this policy, an Adult at Risk is defined as any person aged 18 or over who:

 

• Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs);
• Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
• As a result of those care and support needs, is less able to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.

 

2.4. Regulated Activity 

 

We use Disclosure and Barring Services definition of regulated activity and recognise that Mosaic Trust delivers work that is classed as regulated activity with young persons. 

 

2.5. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

 

The following DBS Checks apply to the charity’s work and activity

 

Enhanced DBS Checks 

 

All Staff, mentors and other volunteers involved in regulated activity should be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check before they commence this activity. This should be renewed every three years. 

 

All Trustees should also be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check as we deliver work classed as regulated activity.  Trustees have overall responsibility for the safeguarding and regulated activity arrangements of the charity. 

 

All personnel subject to a DBS Check must immediately inform the Safeguarding Officer or in their absence a Deputy Safeguarding Officer if their DBS status or circumstances change at any point whilst they are engaged in work or activity for the charity. 

 

2.6. Embedding Cultural Competence in Safeguarding Practice

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust commits itself to operate as a culturally competent organisation. All staff, including the board of trustees and mentors, will commit to understand their own cultural lens upon the world and learn to apply this as a tool to support people. 

 

They will constantly explore their own cultural lens, be aware of having biases and, when they identify them, are able to use them as a tool for reflection and change through supervision and peer to peer feedback.

 

As a culturally competent organisation, Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust will use the positives within different cultures as a positive tool for change within its service provision. As well as using cultures positively, Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust will recognise that cultures and communities are not homogenous and have group differences.

 

2.6.1. Cultural competence is defined as the ability to understand and interact effectively with people from other cultures. To have competence, you need:

 

• A basic understanding of your own culture. 
• A willingness to learn about the cultural practices and worldview of others.
• A positive attitude toward cultural differences and a readiness to accept and respect those differences.
• Knowledge and understanding of culture and faith is critical to effective assessments of harm through neglect and/or abuse.
• However, culture and faith should not be used as an excuse to abuse and must never take precedence over children's rights' 

 

2.6.2. Cultural competence is respectful of and responsive to the beliefs, practices and cultural and linguistic needs of diverse communities. There are five essential elements that contribute to an organisation’s ability to become more culturally competent.

 

• Values diversity.
• Have the capacity for cultural self-assessment.
• Be conscious of the ‘dynamics’ inherent when cultures interact.
• Institutionalise cultural knowledge.
• Develop adaptations to service delivery reflecting an understanding of the diversity between and within cultures. 

 

These five elements must be manifested in every level of the service delivery system. They should be reflected in attitudes, structures, policies, and services. 

 

2.6.3. Values diversity 

 

Valuing diversity means accepting and respecting differences. Even how one chooses to define family is determined by culture. The diversity between cultures must be recognised, but also the diversity within them. People generally assume a common culture is shared between members of racial, linguistic, and religious groups, but individuals may share nothing beyond similar physical appearance, language, or spiritual beliefs. 

 

2.6.4. Cultural self-assessment  

 

Through the cultural self–assessment process, staff are better able to see how their actions affect people from other cultures. The most important actions to be conscious of are usually taken for granted. 

 

2.6.5. Consciousness of the dynamics of cultural interactions 

 

There are many factors that can affect cross-cultural interactions. There often exists an understandable mistrust towards members of the dominant culture by historically oppressed groups. 

 

2.6.6. Institutionalisation of cultural knowledge

 

The knowledge developed regarding culture and cultural dynamics must be integrated into every facet of a service or agency. Fully integrated cultural knowledge is the only way to achieve sustained changes in service delivery.

 

2.6.7. Adapt to diversity 

 

The fifth element of cultural competence specifically focuses on changing activities to fit cultural norms. Cultural practices can be adapted to develop new tools for treatment - i.e. a child or family’s cultural background provides traditional values that can be used to create new interventions.

 

This guidance is consistent with and should be applied alongside Working Together to Safeguard Children which provides the statutory framework for protecting children and promoting their wellbeing.

 

2.7. Understanding Child Abuse 

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust adopts the following definitions as defined in current 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' 

 

2.7.1. Abuse:  

 

A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g. via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children. 

 

2.7.2. Physical abuse: 

 

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent/carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child.

 

2.7.3. Emotional abuse: 

 

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent effects on the child's emotional development, and may involve:

 

• Conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person;
• Imposing age or developmentally inappropriate expectations on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child's developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction;
• Seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another e.g. where there is domestic violence and abuse;
• Serious bullying, causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger;
• Exploiting and corrupting children.
• Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone. 

 

2.7.4. Sexual abuse: 

 

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (e.g. rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. 

 

Sexual abuse includes non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, including online and with mobile phones, or in the production of pornographic materials, watching sexual activities or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

 

In addition; Sexual abuse includes abuse of children through sexual exploitation. Penetrative sex where one of the partners is under the age of 16 is illegal, although prosecution of similar age, consenting partners is not usual. However, where a child is under the age of 13 it is classified as rape under s5 Sexual Offences Act 2003.

 

See Part B1, Practice Guidance.

 

2.7.5. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): 

 

FGM is considered child abuse in the UK and a violation of the human rights of girls and women. In all circumstances where FGM is practised on a child, it is a violation of the child's right to life, their right to their bodily integrity, and their right to health. 

 

FGM includes all procedures involving the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is also sometimes known as 'female genital cutting' or 'female circumcision'. Communities often use local names for referring to this practice e.g. 'Sunna'. 

 

2.7.6. Forced Marriage: 

 

One or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and pressure and/or abuse is used. One or both of the people can be children (legally under 18) and below the age of consent (16). The abuse can be physical (including threats, actual physical violence and sexual violence) or emotional and psychological (for example, when someone is made to feel like they’re bringing shame on their family – sometimes this is financial). 

 

2.7.7. Ways in which children and young persons can be abused

 

As suggested under the ‘Sexual Abuse’ heading above, it should be noted that perpetrators are increasingly using online methods to access children and young persons as well as to indulge in abuse by creating or downloading abusive images/videos of them. Other forms of abuse that have come to public attention relatively recently have included the sexual exploitation of children and young persons for commercial gain, forms of modern slavery, and abuse linked to cultural or religious belief (such as female genital mutilation,  honour violence,  forced marriage, radicalisation or abuse associated with a belief in spiritual possession).

 

2.7.8. Abuse of a position of trust  

 

This is a legal concept within The Sexual Offences Act 2003. It involves an adult of 18 or over engaging in sexual activity with or in the presence of a child or young person under 18, where the older person is in a position of responsibility towards the child or young person in one of a variety of settings, including a ‘workplace setting’. The concept also covers ‘causing or inciting a child’ to engage in sexual activity, and ‘causing a child to watch a sexual act’  

 

2.7.9. Neglect

 

 Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child's health or development.

 

Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance misuse, maternal mental ill health or learning difficulties or a cluster of such issues. Where there is domestic abuse and violence towards a carer the needs of the child may be neglected.

 

Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent failing to:

 

• Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment);
• Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger;
• Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers);
• Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

 

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child's basic emotional, social and educational needs.

 

2.7.10 Youth-produced sexual imagery

 

This refers to any sexually explicit images or videos that are created and shared by young persons under the age of 18. Also known informally as ‘sexting’ it can include:

 

• Nude or partially nude images or videos
• Images or videos portraying sexual poses or activities
• Text-based content of a sexual nature

 

We recognise the growing trend which also places young persons at risk of sextortion as a growing global phenomenon. We hence train staff and deliver regular sessions for our members to raise awareness and reduce their vulnerability. 

 

2.7.11 Other risk indicators

 

Included in the four categories of child abuse and neglect above, are a number of factors relating to the behaviour of the parents and carers which have a significant impact on children such as domestic violence. Research analysing Serious Case Reviews has demonstrated a significant prevalence of domestic abuse in the history of families with children who are subject to Child Protection Plans.  Children can be affected by seeing, hearing and living with domestic violence and abuse as well as being caught up in any incidents directly, whether to protect someone or as a target. It should also be noted that the age group of 16 and 17-year-olds have been found in recent studies to be increasingly affected by domestic violence in their peer relationships.

 

This organisation adopts the definition set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of abusive behavior between people aged 16 or over who are personally connected. This includes, but is not limited to, physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse, as well as coercive and controlling behavior. We explicitly recognise that children who see, hear, or experience the effects of such abuse are victims in their own right under Section 3 of the Act.

 

Controlling behaviour is: a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

 

Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. This may include:

 

• Isolation: Pressuring the victim to cut off contact with friends, family, or colleagues.
• Monitoring: Using tracking apps, checking call logs, or demanding passwords for social media/email.
• Financial Deprivation: Controlling access to bank accounts, or preventing someone from attending work or education.
• Regulation of Daily Life: Dictating what the person wears, what they eat, who they see, or when they sleep.
• Threats: Using "veiled" threats, such as threatening to report the victim to social services or immigration authorities if they do not comply.

 

2.7.12. The potential risk of harm to an unborn child

 

In some circumstances, agencies or individuals are able to anticipate the likelihood of significant harm with regard to an expected baby (e.g. domestic violence, parental substance misuse or mental ill-health).

 

These categories of abuse overlap and a child may suffer more than one form of abuse. Abuse can take place in a family or an institutional or community setting. The perpetrator may or may not be known to the child.

 

2.7.13. Child in Need

 

A child in need is defined under the Children Act 1989 as a child who is unlikely to achieve or maintain a reasonable level of health or development, or whose health and development is likely to be significantly or further impaired, without the provision of services; or a child who is disabled. (Section 17 Children Act 1989).

 

The Children Act 1989 introduced Significant Harm as the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children. Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional Abuse and Neglect are all categories of Significant Harm.

 

Harm is defined as the ill-treatment or impairment of health and development. This definition was clarified in section 120 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (implemented on 31 January 2005) so that it may include, "for example, impairment suffered from seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another."

 

Suspicions or allegations that a child is suffering or likely to suffer Significant Harm should result in an Assessment incorporating a Section 47 Enquiry undertaken by the Local Authority.

 

There are no absolute criteria on which to rely when judging what constitutes significant harm. Sometimes a single violent episode may constitute significant harm but more often it is an accumulation of significant events, both acute and longstanding, which interrupt, damage or change the child's development. (Section 47 Children Act 1989).

 

2.7.14. Specific factors relevant to safeguarding young persons as distinct from older people

 

Young persons do not suddenly stop needing safeguarding when they reach their 18th birthday – their legal status might change but independence is a gradual process that starts at birth and goes on well into adulthood.

 

New challenges arise when a young person enters the adult world. This is an exciting time for anyone but creates the potential for new risks and new areas of vulnerability. Many young persons are moving away from home for the first time or starting work or volunteer placements. Most are starting to take full control of their finances, and many are starting relationships with adult partners. Some are becoming parents.  

 

Service providers, including Mosaic, continue to have a duty of care to the young persons that use their services, even after those young persons are 18. However, young adults who may have previously received health or local authority services (for example, those who have been ‘in care’ or ‘looked after’ by a local authority) may find that on attaining 18 years, these services are withdrawn and they are in danger of ‘falling through the net’ and of being denied services they require on an ongoing basis. 

 

Some young adults are ‘at risk’ or ‘vulnerable’ to a greater extent than most others, due to issues already listed. These risk factors may exist singly or in combination, and, in some cases, could be triggered by or exacerbate the vulnerability of young persons who are already trying to deal with the normal pressures of young adult life; there may be complex causal pathways and relationships between some of the various factors

 

A young adult (or indeed anyone) who may be considered by others to be at risk, may not think of themselves as vulnerable, and may in fact feel insulted at being viewed in this way. It is, therefore, important to take into account the perceptions and feelings of young adults whom you deem to be vulnerable but who prefer not to be placed in this category. Care and sensitivity should be used if you find that there are safeguarding concerns relating to them. 

 

Some young adults at risk of abuse are also young parents, thus their children (or unborn children) may also be at risk of abuse or harm.  

 

2.7.15. Signs and indicators of abuse

 

 There may be many signs and indicators that a child or young adult is being abused or is at risk. Equally, most of the signs are not themselves diagnostic of abuse (although some physical signs may lead to a positive diagnosis of abuse by a medical professional). Equally, some children and adults who suffer abuse show no outward signs of what is happening to them.

 

At least as important as specific physical or behavioural signs are the way in which different signs and indicators may be clustered together or perhaps a change in a child’s or adult’s behaviour or appearance that cannot be easily explained in any other way. Many of the signs that a child is being abused are the same irrespective of how the abuse happens, but there are specific indicators in relation to online abuse and in relation to grooming. It is important to remember that a single agency or person is unlikely to pick up on all the signs that may be present in an abusive situation and that concerns need to be shared to enable a referring agency to build up a clearer picture of what may be going on for a child or young adult at risk.

 

For more information about signs and indicators of abuse, including online abuse, of children and young persons, go to the NSPCC website:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/signs-symptoms-effects/

 

For more information about adult abuse, go to the SCIE website:

http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/ataglance/69-adults-safeguarding-types-and-indicators-of-abuse.asp

 

The young persons and young adults with whom Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust works, may experience any of the forms of abuse listed in this guidance and in the guidance that relates to adult abuse. However, it is worth noting that some LGBT+ persons are at additional risk of a number of forms of harm, including hate crime, so called honour based violence, so called conversion practices, and resulting  from them self-harm, suicidal idation and mental health issues. 

 

Our staff and volunteers must be particularly vigilant to these risks that so many of our young persons face, as well as to the various other forms of abuse and neglect to which any child or young adult may be subjected.  

 

2.8. Understanding Young Adult Abuse

 

There are many different types of abuse, including;

 

2.8.1 Physical

 

This is 'the use of force which results in pain or injury or a change in a person's natural physical state' or 'the non-accidental infliction of physical force that results in bodily injury, pain or impairment'. It may include behaviours like the misuse of medication, inappropriate restraint or the use of inappropriate sanctions, as well as the actions more commonly associated with physical abuse (such as slapping, pushing etc) 

 

2.8.2 Sexual

 

Examples of sexual abuse include the direct or indirect involvement of the adult at risk in sexual activity or relationships which they do not want or have not consented to, specific behaviours could include:

 

• rape
• indecent exposure
• sexual harassment
• inappropriate looking or touching
• sexual teasing or innuendo
• sexual photography
• subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts
• indecent exposure
• sexual assault
• putting pressure on the young adult to consenting to sexual acts
• so called revenge pornography

 

2.8.3 Emotional and psychological

 

This is behaviour that has a harmful effect on the person's emotional health and development, or any form of mental cruelty that results in mental distress, the denial of basic human and civil rights such as self-expression, privacy and dignity. Specific behaviours might include:

 

• threats of harm or abandonment
• deprivation of contact
• humiliation
• blaming
• controlling
• intimidation
• coercion
• blackmail with threats of sharing personal information or images
• harassment
• verbal abuse
• cyberbullying
• isolation
• unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks

 

2.8.4 Organisational

 

Institutional abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of an adult at risk by a regime, or individuals within settings and services, that adults at risk live in or use. It may include care or support provided in the person’s own home. Such abuse violates the person's dignity, resulting in lack of respect for their human rights. It may range from one-off incidents to ongoing ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.

 

2.8.5 Discrimination

 

This type of abuse may include:

 

• discrimination based on gender, race, colour, language, culture, religion, politics or sexual orientation 
• discrimination based on a person's disability or age 
• harassment and slurs which are degrading 
• hate crime 

 

2.8.6 Financial and material

 

This is the use of a person's property, assets, income, funds or any other resources without their informed consent or authorisation. It may include:

 

• theft
• fraud
• internet scamming
• exploitation or coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions
• the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits

 

2.8.7 Neglect and acts of omission

 

Examples of this might include;

 

• Ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs
• Failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services
• The withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating 

 

2.8.8 Self-neglect

 

This covers a wide range of behaviour involving neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour like hoarding. Self-neglect is only applicable to adults. 

 

2.8.9 Modern Slavery

 

Modern Slavery Act 2015 and Care Act 2015 define modern slavery as a serious crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It is an umbrella term that encompasses:

 

• Slavery: Exercising powers of ownership over a person.
• Servitude: The obligation to provide services imposed by coercion (e.g., being forced to live on a property and unable to leave).
• Forced or Compulsory Labour: All work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the person has not offered themselves voluntarily.
• Human Trafficking: The arrangement or facilitation of the travel of another person with a view to that person being exploited, even if the person appears to consent. 

 

There are four types of exploitation:

 

• Labour Exploitation: Common in sectors like car washes, nail bars, construction, and agriculture.
• Sexual Exploitation: Non-consensual use of a person's sexuality for financial gain or benefit.
• Domestic Servitude: Victims forced to work in private households with little or no pay and restricted freedom.
• Criminal Exploitation: Forcing a person to commit crimes, such as shoplifting, begging, or "County Lines" drug trafficking.

 

2.8.10 Domestic abuse

 

This organization adopts the definition set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of abusive behavior between people aged 16 or over who are personally connected. This includes, but is not limited to, physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse, as well as coercive and controlling behavior. We explicitly recognize that children who see, hear, or experience the effects of such abuse are victims in their own right under Section 3 of the Act.

 

2.9 Radicalisation

 

This refers to the process by which someone adopts extreme religious, political or ideological views or beliefs that subsequently may lead to them participating in or supporting acts of extremism including violence or terrorism.

 

We recognize that radicalisation is a safeguarding issue. Our charity is committed to the Prevent Duty (2023) and the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. We will protect children and adults from extremist grooming by promoting British Values and ensuring our facilities are not used as a platform for extremism. Any concerns that an individual is susceptible to radicalisation will be referred to the DSL and, where appropriate, to the local Channel panel.

 

2.10  Online Safety 

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust recognises that online work brings additional risk; Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust commits to being aware of the possible threats that online activity can bring, and how to deal with them to be set out in a standalone e-safety policy. 

Online delivery will follow the same safeguarding principles as face to face delivery and that concerns about a young person should be reported in the same way as team members would any concern raised, observed or disclosed in a face to face or group session.

 

Additional Discord protocols are implemented and can be found in the: Operational Procedure Online Safety & Safeguarding

 

3. Procedures

 

3.1. Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) is the person assigned as Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust’s representative in young persons and young adult safeguarding issues. 

 

The name of our DSO is Lukasz Konieczka, Executive Director. Lukasz can be contacted via email lukasz.konieczka@mosaictrust.org.uk  or by phone on +44 7550124393. In Lukasz’s absence, the Deputy DSO Klara Lievens, klara.lievens@mosaictrust.org.uk +44 7469 548316

 

The Trustee Safeguarding Lead is Gemma Benton. They provide governance-level oversight of safeguarding practices, support the Designated Safeguarding Officer, and ensure the charity fulfils its legal responsibilities. They can be contacted via Gemma.Benton@mosaictrust.org.uk.

 

3.2. The Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust’s Designated Safeguarding Officer has responsibility for:

 

• Overseeing with the safeguarding trustee lead the preparation and implementation of the Safeguarding Young Persons and Adults policy ensuring it is regularly reviewed.
• Reporting concerns of abuse to the statutory authorities (Children or Adult Social Care or the Police). Ensuring that all members of the workforce, trustees, and anyone working on behalf of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust are aware of and understand our policies and procedures and the relevant multi-agency procedures for working with children and young adults and keeping them safe.
• Being a point of contact within Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust members of the workforce, trustees, and anyone working on behalf of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust in relation to safeguarding young adults and child protection.
• Being aware of local statutory safeguarding procedures and networks.
• Keeping informed and up to date on relevant changes in the law and national safeguarding guidance.
• Receiving and responding to information from staff and creative practitioners who have a safeguarding concern about a child or adult.
• Making decisions about whether to refer potential safeguarding and child protection situations to an investigating agency and then making those referrals.
• Consulting with statutory child protection and safeguarding adults agency and/or, in the case of children, with the NSPCC Helpline, to test any doubts or uncertainty about the concerns.
• Managing allegations against staff, in consultation with the individual’s line manager.
• Recording concerns and actions in child protection or safeguarding adults log.

 

3.3 Deputy Safeguarding Officer responsibilities:

 

are the same as DSO’s when DSO is not available. Deputy would also in addition support DSO in assessments and will help address unconscious bias, assumptions and blind spots affecting the Safeguarding process as a critical friend. 

 

3.4 Safeguarding Trustee responsibilities:

 

Support the development and sign-off of the Safeguarding policy.

As above, remain informed and up-to-date on relevant changes in law, and be aware of local statutory safeguarding procedures and networks.

Support the team as requested with any safeguarding issues.

 

3.5 Board’s Frontline Committee

 

Be a critical friend and advisor to any safeguarding steps taken or concerns being raised. 

Advise on contextual safeguarding, any procedural or other improvements as well as lessons learned. 

Help to spot any assumptions, unconscious bias and blind spots within the process to assist staff to reach best decisions to safeguard members, staff and the organisation. 

 

It is not the role of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust or its Designated Safeguarding Officer to decide whether abuse has taken place or not.  It is, however, our role to ensure that concerns are shared with appropriate agencies and relevant action is taken.

 

3.6. Safer recruitment and training of staff and volunteers

 

We aim to recruit the best people possible to work with children, young persons and young adults, and to build a safe organisational culture in which our staff and volunteers are well managed and feel supported in raising concerns.  

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust commits to taking all reasonable steps to ensure that unsuitable people and those with an interest in harming children and young adults are prevented from working with children/young persons at Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust.

 

Our policy with regards to recruitment contains the following elements:

 

• Advertising all posts through appropriate media and in a way that ensures that we attract high-quality applicants from diverse backgrounds.
• Having at least two people conducting a face-to-face interview with anyone we may want to appoint.
• Incorporating the views and perspectives of young persons into the recruitment and selection process whenever appropriate.
• Obtaining two references, two pieces of identification and original copies of any necessary qualifications from candidates; all references will be followed up with a confidential phone call for remunerated roles. 
• Requiring that all staff and volunteers have an up-to-date relevant DBS check where their post is eligible for this (including a check against the barred list if the post involves regulated activity).
• Providing an appropriate induction for all new staff and volunteers.
• Ensuring that all staff are made aware, during their induction period, of how to keep children and young persons safe in our organisation.
• Appointing all staff and volunteers on a probation period initially, with a review before they are confirmed in post.
• Following a consistent procedure for recruitment, selection and induction.

 

All staff, trustees, mentors and volunteers will undergo safeguarding training as part of their induction at a level consistent with their role; this will be refreshed every two years.

 

All staff in residential setting will have to complete training in:

 

• food hygiene in education 
• fire safety awareness
• first aid level 1 in education 
• health and safety in education
• mental health and wellbeing awareness

 

All Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust frontline full time staff will complete the level 3 training for safeguarding children in education and safeguarding adults, offered by a reputable provider that will be refreshed every two years.

 

4. How concerns about abuse might arise

 

There are a number of ways in which a member of staff, volunteer, mentor or trustee might become concerned that a child or young adult is being abused or is at risk of abuse.

 

• A child or young adult may disclose abuse or exhibit behaviour that suggests that they or someone else is being abused or at risk of significant harm.
• It should be noted that a child or young adult may report abuse or risk to a third party when in fact they may be talking about themselves and testing what will happen or the type of response they may receive.
• A family member or carer may raise concerns about a child or young person.
• Another staff member, volunteer, mentor or third-party colleague may raise concerns about a child or young adult. 
• A family member or carer may behave in a way that raises concerns that they might present a risk to a child or young person.
• There may be concerns that a member of staff, volunteer or someone working for Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust may have abused a child or young adult or may present a risk.
• A young person or young adult (or an older relative or carer) may disclose historical abuse that suggests that the person is still suffering harm as a result of the abuse and/or that other members of the family or social circle are still at risk or long-term survivors of the abuse.
• Something that a young person shares or posts online, or sends in a message, that may be seen by a member of staff/volunteer/another young person.

 

 

4.1. Responding to concerns about possible abuse

 

In accordance with national child protection statutory guidance (Working Together 2023), and with multi-agency safeguarding procedures, Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust has a responsibility to report any potential safeguarding concerns and/or alleged abuse of a person under the age of 18 or over to a statutory agency. In cases concerning young adults, Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust will act in accordance with the terms of The Care Act 2014 and the associated Care and Support Guidance, as well as in keeping with multi-agency safeguarding procedures for adults and Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust’s own values. 

 

4.2. Safety is paramount

 

If anyone acting for, employed by or volunteering for Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust has reason to believe that a child or young adult may be suffering abuse or is at risk of abuse, then the safety and welfare of that, and any other child/young adult likely to be affected, is the paramount consideration in deciding what action needs to be taken.

 

4.3. Direct disclosures

 

If the concerns take the form of a direct disclosure by a young person or a young adult, the person hearing the disclosure should listen carefully, giving the  disclosing person undivided time and attention. The disclosing person should be reassured that they have done nothing to deserve being abused and that reporting it demonstrates courage. Verbal reassurance needs to be backed up by supportive non-verbal behaviour such as attentiveness, empathy and an avoidance of any language or gestures that may demonstrate shock, impatience or disbelief. The aim is to facilitate the disclosure (but not to cross-examine) in order to determine whether there is real cause for concern. The response must be limited to the following:

 

• Clarifying the concerns without asking leading questions.
• Offering reassurance on how they will be kept safe.
• Explaining what action will be taken.
• Seeking medical attention for any serious injuries.
•  Listening carefully without judgement – remember you are not investigating, only receiving the information.
•  You should always communicate with the person in a way that is appropriate to their age, understanding and preference. This is especially important for anyone with a disability and for those whose preferred language is not English.
• The young person, young adult or parent must not be pressed for further information, asked leading questions or cross examined under any circumstances as this may jeopardise police investigations.  

 

The responsibility for undertaking any investigation lies with the relevant local authority. The person should be informed that the concerns will need to be shared with the DSO.

 

4.4.  Discussion with the DSO

 

The concerns must be discussed with the Designated Safeguarding Officer or, in their absence, the Deputy DSO, on the same day that the concerns emerge. The discussion should focus on:                                                   

 

• The date and time of the interview or disclosure or emergence of the concern.
• The child’s or young adult’s account (if available).
• Any physical or other signs of injuries noted, e.g. bruising and mapped out of a body map diagram.
• Any relevant background information.
• An assessment made by the person as to why the information is given constitutes a safeguarding concern (including risk to others as well as to the young person or adult at the centre of the concern).
• What the young person or young adult would like to happen (if known).
• In the case of a young adult, whether they have given consent to the information being shared outside the organisation.
• In the case of a young adult, whether there might be issues of mental capacity to give consent to information sharing.
• In the case of a young adult, whether they might be being coerced into withholding consent to information sharing.
• Whether there might be ‘vital interests’ at stake or a duty of care that might override the young adult’s decision to withhold consent to information sharing (see point 4.6 below).
• Action already taken by the person.

 

4.5. Making a record 

 

Information concerning the disclosure, or any other safeguarding concerns, should be recorded on the same day, using the standard Reporting Template in these procedures.

 

4.6. Sharing of record with DSO 

 

The record should be signed dated and timed with a role title and full name written clearly, and a copy given or emailed via Google Drive or WeTransfer assuring GDPR compliance to the Designated Safeguarding Officer, also on the same day. The document should be marked confidential and, if emailed, should be password protected. If it has been recorded online, an email must be sent to the DSO with the relevant case name or number. 

 

4.7. Making referrals when there are concerns about possible abuse or risk of abuse

 

In an emergency:

 

If the personal safety of a young person or an adult is immediately threatened, it is vital that urgent action is taken as soon as possible on the same day. In the case of a child, this will mean contacting the duty social worker or an out-of-hours duty social worker. In the case of a young adult, it will mean contacting the duty social worker for adult safeguarding. If immediate danger is present calling 999 for Police is a required action. 

 

Informing the person who is at possible risk and dealing with issues of consent:

 

If the person who is the subject of the concern is a young person, they must be informed, whenever possible, about any action being taken on their behalf, the reason for this, and what is likely to happen. All efforts should be made to acknowledge how hard this may be for the young person and to help them understand the need to seek help. Where choices and options can safely be offered regarding the way in which information is passed on, this should happen;

 

If the person who is the subject of the concern is an adult and clearly capable of consenting to the action being taken, that consent must be given unless ‘vital interests’ (as defined in GDPR UK and Data Protection Act) are at stake or there is a duty of care to pass on the information. These may be in situations where, for example, there is a risk to others, an immediate risk to the person themselves, the person is being coerced into withholding consent, or there is a likelihood that a crime is being committed. 

 

If there is a concern that the adult may lack the capacity to provide consent the DSO should contact the local authority adult safeguarding team to seek expert advice; in addition, if it is perceived that the adult is at immediate risk, the emergency procedure outlined above should be followed straight away. 

 

The adult who is the subject of the concern should be informed, whenever possible, about any action being taken on their behalf and what is likely to happen.  If there is no immediate danger, it is advisable to give the young adult a little time to fully understand what action is being pursued and why, before proceeding. It is also important to operate in line with the principles of empowerment, protection, prevention, proportionality, partnership and accountability.

 

4.8  Making the referral  

 

Where possible and appropriate the following actions are to be taken before referrals are made to Social Services.

 

Inform the parent/carer unless this places the young person at risk of significant harm.

 

Seek agreement for the referral unless this places the child/adult at risk of significant harm.

 

In some situations, a decision might be taken to refer without parental consent. Details of reasons why this decision was taken must be fully recorded following the recording procedure.

 

If the discussion with the DSO leads to a decision to make a referral to the local authority (either children’s social care or the adult safeguarding team), then this should be done without delay.

 

The referral should be made online.  If the concern relates to any allegations or concerns about risk presented by a staff member, volunteer or third-party colleague, the procedure for dealing with this should be followed.

 

After referral

 

4.9. Multi-agency working

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust is committed to working in a multi-agency approach to safeguarding. Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust will engage with relevant Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) proceedings and plans, as well as attend Team Around the Child (TAC) meetings and any other multi-agency response required to protect the children and young adults we are working with.

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust will actively approach relevant external agencies to provide additional support to clients suspected of experiencing abuse and seek to provide children and young persons with independent advocates for additional support, where appropriate.

 

4.10 Escalation 

 

If Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust is not satisfied that a referral has been responded to appropriately or within the timescale set out in statutory guidance and multi-agency procedures, we will escalate our concerns using the processes set out in those multi-agency procedures. This normally means contacting senior management within the statutory agency to whom the referral has been made. In the case of referrals involving young persons under the age of 18, Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust may also consider using the NSPCC Helpline to support the referral and escalation process.

 

5. Logging and reviewing safeguarding incidents

 

A secure, central log is kept of all reported safeguarding incidents, including details of the incident, action taken in response to the incident and the outcome. Diversity information is also recorded. 

 

Reviews of all reported safeguarding incidents take place at least quarterly, involving representatives from frontline staff and managers. The findings of reviews inform our future safeguarding practice.

 

6. Retention and destruction of records

 

Records of individual safeguarding concerns and subsequent actions must be stored securely within the central log in a password protected folder in a shared drive and with restricted access by the DSO, Deputy DSO, Director, and Lead Trustee for Safeguarding, plus anyone else authorised by them.

All safeguarding records of concern for children, young people and adults are kept for 10 years or, in the cases of children or young people, until they reach 25 years old, whichever is the longer.

 

Details of allegations that are found to have been malicious should be removed from personnel records. However, for all other allegations, it is important that a clear and comprehensive summary of the allegation, details of how the allegation was followed up and resolved, and a note of any action taken and decisions reached, is kept on the confidential personnel file of the accused, and a copy provided to the person concerned.

 

The purpose of the record is to enable accurate information to be given in response to any future request for a reference, where appropriate.

It will provide clarification in cases where future criminal records checks reveal information from the Police about an allegation that did not result in a criminal conviction and it will help to prevent unnecessary re-investigation if, as sometimes happens, an allegation re-surfaces after a period of time.

The record should be retained for a minimum of 10 years from the date of the allegation or until the normal age of retirement, whichever is the longer

 

The records must be stored securely in a password protected folder in a shared drive and with restricted access by the DSO, Director, Lead Trustee for Safeguarding, and anyone else authorised by them. 

 

Once the required retention period has been reached all records should be destroyed using shredding and confidential waste or be electronically purged in accordance with Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust’s Data Protection Policy.

 

It is the responsibility of DSO to check when records are due for destruction and arrange to do this and recoded in deletion log. 

 

7. Dealing with allegations or concerns about possible risks of abuse by a staff member, or volunteer 

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust will not tolerate abuse by staff, volunteers, trustees or guests in any form. Any allegation or concern that said persons may present a possible risk of abuse, will be fully investigated in accordance with Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust procedure set out below.   

 

Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust will also report any safeguarding concerns related to those working with Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust, where we have concerns that abuse may be taking place.  

 

‘Consent’ by a young person or young adult is not viewed by Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust as either a defence or excuse for abuse.

 

When any form of allegation or concern is made against an employee or volunteer, it must be taken seriously, and it should initially be dealt with by the most senior staff member on-site at the time the complaint is made. The senior staff member must report the complaint to the Designated Safeguarding Officer or, in their absence, Deputy DSO immediately within 24 hours.

 

Record the facts as you know them on the standard Recording Template and give a copy to the DSO. (Note: the DSO should also ensure that a copy is retained confidentially within the safeguarding incident log and on the individual’s personnel file if accusation was not found to be malicious). 

 

If any of the above is the person against whom a complaint has been made they will be excluded from the processing of the complaint and should be overseen by the Chair.

 

Remember: if the behaviour of a staff colleague, trustee, partner, agency staff, volunteer or anyone working on behalf of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust causes you concern:

 

• Take all concerns seriously, even if you are unsure.
• Concerns should be kept away from the person about whom you might have concerns to prevent any interference in subsequent investigations.
• Discuss your concerns with the DSO or, in their absence, Deputy DSO or the Lead Trustee for Safeguarding.
• Make sure that all concerns are passed on promptly - the same day if possible . 
• It is not your responsibility to make a judgement on the validity of the allegations.  It is better to have discussed it with someone with the experience and responsibility to make an assessment, and you will not be penalised for any concern raised in good faith, even if it turns out to be unsubstantiated.

 

7.1. In the case of allegations against or concerns about a staff member or volunteer, an investigation may have three related strands:

 

1. If the allegation reaches the threshold of actual or potential abuse of a child, the matter should be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for Camden and in case of an adult to an adult Social Care who will coordinate an investigation and examine the risk to any young person involved or potentially involved.
2. Where circumstances warrant it, there may be a police investigation into a possible crime; this may need to take precedence over an internal investigation.
3. If it appears that allegations may amount to misconduct or gross misconduct, Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust‘s disciplinary procedures should be invoked.

 

The DSO, in consultation with the Lead Trustee for Safeguarding, should inform the Local Authority’s Designated Officer (LADO) responsible for managing allegations within one working day if there is a concern about the possible risk or an allegation made against a member of staff, trustee, volunteer, mentor or anyone else involved with Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust. The discussion with the LADO will, if necessary, initiate a multi-disciplinary approach to the concerns/allegations. 

 

We will follow ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ when investigating, recording and sanctioning staff, volunteer or contractor involved in allegations. 

 

Young person or young adult who have been allegedly harmed by a member of staff or volunteer should be offered support and kept informed about the progress of the investigation (subject to police requirements and the need to respect confidentiality in relation to the alleged perpetrator). 

Subject to consent where the concern is about the risk to a young person age 16 and over or a young adult aged 18 and over, support should also be offered to parents and carers who has allegedly been harmed by a member of staff or volunteer working for Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust when advised by agencies involved. They should be given information on any concerns, advised on the processes to be followed and informed of the outcomes, except in circumstances when the allegations involve the parent/carer directly. Professional advice should be sought as to what can be said to parents/carers.  

 

All enquiries into allegations will be overseen by the DSO, Lead Trustee for Safeguarding, and Chair (they will agree the division of responsibility on a case by case basis). The lead person for the enquiry will liaise with police, Social Care, the Disclosure and Barring Service (if necessary), and other interested parties, and attend relevant meetings as required, keeping staff informed as appropriate.

 

This Policy has been approved by the Board of Trustees 
 

Signed:  Chair of Trustees, Name: KEN BATTY

 

Date 10/01/2026

 

Review Date - 12 months from finalised date of approval

 

APPENDIX 1

 

Safeguarding and Child Protection Reporting Template

 

Restricted Information 

This form should be completed whenever an issue or concern has arisen that needs reporting regarding a young person 

 

TRY AND FILL THE FORM OUT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WHERE POSSIBLE. 

 

Date:………………………………………              Time:.........................................

 

Name of person reporting: ……………………………………………………………….

 

Position:……………………………………………………………………………………….

 

Contact details of person reporting: 

 

Reason(s) for the report including names and details where known:

Continue on a separate sheet and attach if necessary

 

Action(s) taken by a person reporting:

 

Has the young person/staff member been advised of referral?     Yes / No

 

Who else has been informed of these issues?

 

Report received by Safeguarding Officer:

 

Signed……………………………………………Date & Time:………………………….

 

Action(s) taken by Safeguarding Officer:

 

PLEASE ENSURE A COPY OF YOUR COMPLETED REPORT IS STORED SECURELY WITHIN THE CENTRAL LOG IN A PASSWORD PROTECTED FOLDER ON THE SHARED DRIVE AND WITH RESTRICTED ACCESS BY THE DSO AND LEAD TRUSTEE FOR SAFEGUARDING

 

Appendix 2

 

Lone Working Policy 

 

1. Purpose and Scope

 

This annex forms part of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust Safeguarding Policy and must be read alongside the main Safeguarding Policy and Health & Safety Policy.

Mosaic recognises that lone working may arise in the course of delivering services to young persons aged 12–18 and 18–25. Lone working presents both safeguarding and health and safety considerations and must be managed through suitable and sufficient risk assessment.

Mosaic will avoid lone working where reasonably practicable. Where it is necessary, risks will be assessed and managed proportionately.

 

2. Legal Framework

 

This annex is informed by:

• Children Act 1989
• Children Act 2004 (Section 11 duty to safeguard and promote welfare)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE)
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Regulation 3 – suitable and sufficient risk assessment)
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Equality Act 2010
• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
• Charity Commission Safeguarding and Protecting People guidance (CC3)

 

3. Definition of Lone Working

 

Lone working occurs where a staff member or volunteer works without immediate supervision or direct support from colleagues and where assistance is not immediately available if required.

Examples include:

• One-to-one mentoring sessions
• Opening or closing Mosaic premises alone
• Delivering activities without another Mosaic colleague present
• Night supervision during residential provision
• Online counselling sessions conducted alone

 

4. Governance and Responsibilities

 

Board of Trustees:

• Provide oversight of safeguarding and health & safety arrangements.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

• Authorise lone working arrangements where appropriate.
• Ensure risk assessments are completed.
• Monitor incidents and escalation decisions.

Staff and Volunteers:

• Comply with this annex.
• Undertake required safeguarding training.
• Conduct dynamic risk assessments.
• Report concerns immediately.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of every individual acting on behalf of Mosaic, regardless of employment status.

 

5. Risk Assessment

 

In accordance with Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be undertaken prior to lone working.

Risk assessment must consider:

• Age and vulnerability of young persons
• Mental health risk including self-harm or suicidal ideation
• Environmental safety
• External hostility or hate-related risk
• Staff competence and training
• Access to communication and emergency support

Where risks cannot be adequately mitigated, lone working must not proceed.

 

6. Acceptable Lone Working (Subject to Risk Assessment)

 

Lone working may be acceptable where risks are mitigated and authorised by the DSL.

Examples include:

• One-to-one mentoring in a school setting where staff are accessible
• External cultural visits without organised travel and with appropriate ratios
• Online counselling with clinical supervision
• Opening premises where communication protocols are in place
• Managed night supervision during residential provision

 

7. Lone Working Not Permitted

 

Unless explicitly authorised following risk assessment, lone working is not permitted for:

• Running under-18 group sessions alone
• Travelling with groups of young persons
• High-risk behavioural cases without support
• Overnight supervision without additional staff on site

A minimum of two trained adults must be present during travel with young persons age under 16.

 

8. Communication and Monitoring

 

All lone workers must:

• Carry a charged mobile phone
• Share their location and expected finish time
• Check in at start and end of session
• Escalate emergencies immediately via 999 where required

Failure to check out must trigger follow-up contact.

 

9. Safeguarding Escalation

 

In the event of:

• Immediate danger – Call 999
• Medical emergency – Call 999 or attend A&E as appropriate
• Safeguarding concern – Inform DSL immediately
• Allegation against staff – Follow Allegations Management Procedure and refer to LADO where threshold is met

All incidents must be recorded within 24 hours in Mosaic’s safeguarding record system.

 

10. Insurance and Compliance

 

All lone working arrangements must comply with Mosaic’s insurance conditions and health & safety obligations.

 

11. This annex will be reviewed annually or following serious incident, legislative change, or significant service change.

 

Appendix 3: SAFEGUARDING RESPONSE FLOWCHART

 

1) A CONCERN ARISES

• Disclosure
• Online incident
• Behaviour observed
• Third-party concern

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2) IMMEDIATE RISK CHECK

Is there immediate danger?
Is urgent medical help required?
Is a crime occurring?

IF YES → CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY
Inform DSL

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3) RECORD FACTS

• Write exact words
• Do NOT investigate
• Do NOT promise confidentiality
• Preserve evidence

Log within 24 hours

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4) REPORT TO DSL

Contact DSL immediately
If unavailable → Deputy DSL
If high risk → Police or MASH directly

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5) DSL DECISION

• Assess risk level
• Refer to Police / MASH if required
• Inform parents/carers (if appropriate)
• Record rationale

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6) SUPPORT & REVIEW

• Provide support
• Monitor ongoing risk
• Participate in review
• Update risk assessment

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KEY PRINCIPLES

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
Never delay reporting
Never manage safeguarding through discipline alone
Never investigate independently