Organisation: Evolve and Inspire Solutions Ltd
Document status: Public-facing
Version: 1.0
Date Approved: 16.07.2026
Next Review Date: 15.07.2027
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Barbara HM Bochenek
Email: info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com
Phone: 07843 785547
1. Policy statement
Evolve and Inspire Solutions Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals who may come into contact with our training programmes and services.
Our delivery model: We deliver training and mentoring exclusively to adults aged 18 and over, and delivery is online. We do not provide services to children and do not provide specialist services for vulnerable adults.
However, safeguarding concerns can still arise in adult learning environments (including online), and we will respond appropriately, proportionately, and in line with UK safeguarding principles.
This policy is informed by relevant UK safeguarding legislation and guidance, including (as applicable): the Children Act 1989 and 2004, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the Care Act 2014, the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and UK GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, trainers, assistants, volunteers, and contractors must act if they have concerns.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All staff, trainers, assessors, assistants (including graduates supporting delivery), volunteers, and contractors engaged by Evolve and Inspire Solutions Ltd
- All learners and participants in training programmes and mentoring
- All activities delivered online, and any future in-person delivery (if introduced)
- Any safeguarding concern, disclosure, allegation, or observed risk arising in connection with our services
3. Definitions
Child: A person under 18.
Adult at risk (vulnerable adult): A person aged 18+ who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect due to care and support needs, disability, mental health, age, or illness.
Safeguarding: Protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect.
Abuse: May include physical, emotional/psychological, sexual, financial, neglect, discriminatory, institutional, modern slavery, coercive control, and other forms of exploitation.
4. Legal and regulatory framework
This policy is informed by and aligned with:
- Care Act 2014
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)
- UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
- Equality Act 2010
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) (good practice reference; we do not deliver to under-18s)
5. Roles and responsibilities
5.1 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Name: Barbara HM Bochenek
Email: info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com
Phone: 07843 785547
The DSL is responsible for:
- Receiving and responding to safeguarding concerns
- Deciding what action is appropriate (including signposting and referral)
- Making referrals to external agencies where required
- Maintaining confidential safeguarding records
- Ensuring safeguarding awareness is maintained and refreshed
- Reviewing this policy annually (or sooner if needed)
5.2 Deputy DSL / cover arrangements
Evolve and Inspire Solutions Ltd does not currently have a Deputy DSL.
If the DSL is unavailable:
- Non-urgent concerns: email info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com
- Immediate risk of harm: contact 999 (emergency services)
5.3 Responsibilities of all staff/assistants/contractors
All staff and anyone supporting delivery must:
- Be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or significant distress
- Maintain professional boundaries
- Report concerns promptly to the DSL
- Not investigate concerns themselves
- Keep information confidential and share only on a need-to-know basis
6. Recognising abuse and neglect
Safeguarding concerns may arise through:
- A disclosure by a learner
- Observations of behaviour, distress, or risk
- Information shared in group sessions
- Allegations about staff/assistants/contractors
- Online indicators (e.g., coercion, threats, stalking, controlling behaviour)
Examples of indicators may include:
- Statements suggesting immediate danger or inability to stay safe
- Evidence of coercion, exploitation, or threats
- Disclosures of abuse (past or present)
- Signs of self-harm or suicidal ideation
7. Reporting procedures
7.1 Immediate danger
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 999 first.
7.2 Reporting a concern to the DSL
Concerns should be reported to the DSL as soon as possible (and within 24 hours where practicable):
- Email: info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com
- Phone: 07843 785547
Do not promise confidentiality to a learner if they disclose something that indicates risk of harm.
7.3 DSL assessment and action
The DSL will assess the concern and decide appropriate action, which may include:
- welfare check and signposting to support services
- setting boundaries around participation (where needed for safety)
- referral to external agencies
- contacting police/emergency services
7.4 External referral (if required) — online delivery
Where an external safeguarding referral is necessary, the DSL will contact the most appropriate agency based on the information available at the time, which may include:
- Emergency services (999) where there is immediate risk of harm
- Police (101) for non-emergency concerns involving potential criminal activity
- The relevant Local Authority Adult Safeguarding Team, where sufficient information is available to identify the appropriate local authority, or where the local authority can be identified during the referral process
- Other appropriate safeguarding partners or specialist services as relevant to the concern
If the individual’s location is unknown:
If the individual’s local authority area cannot be identified (for example, due to online delivery and limited location information), the DSL will seek advice and make reasonable efforts to identify the appropriate referral route, and will prioritise immediate safety actions (including contacting emergency services) where required.
7.5 Recording
A factual record will be made of:
- what was reported/observed
- dates/times
- actions taken
- decisions and rationale
8. Confidentiality and information sharing
Information will be handled sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.
Information may be shared without consent where:
- there is risk of serious harm
- a serious crime has been or may be committed
- required by law/court order
All information sharing will comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
9. Safer recruitment (proportionate approach)
We do not currently undertake regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults and therefore DBS checks are not currently required for our delivery model.
If our delivery model changes (for example, delivery to under-18s or regulated activity), we will review safer recruitment arrangements, including DBS requirements.
Where assistants (including graduates) support delivery, they are expected to comply with professional boundaries and this policy.
10. Professional boundaries and online conduct
All staff/assistants/contractors must:
- Maintain professional boundaries at all times
- Use official channels for course-related communication (e.g., business email, Zoom)
- Avoid private, informal, or personal social media contact for course matters
- Keep communications respectful, professional, and appropriate
- Report any boundary concerns to the DSL
If a safeguarding disclosure occurs online, follow Section 7.
11. Prevent duty
We support the principles of the Prevent Duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
If there are concerns about radicalisation or extremism, these must be reported to the DSL, who will decide appropriate action, including seeking advice or referral where required.
12. Allegations against staff (including the DSL)
Allegations of abuse, inappropriate conduct, or boundary breaches by staff/assistants/contractors will be taken seriously and acted on promptly.
12.1 If the allegation concerns a staff member/assistant/contractor (not the DSL)
- Report immediately to the DSL using the contact details in Section 5.
- The DSL will assess risk and decide appropriate action, which may include restricting involvement in delivery pending outcome and/or contacting external agencies.
12.2 If the allegation concerns the DSL (Barbara HM Bochenek)
Because the DSL is the sole director, there is no internal escalation route. In this situation, the reporter should use the following external routes as appropriate:
- Immediate danger: call 999
- Non-emergency police: call 101
- Safeguarding advice/referral: contact the relevant Local Authority Adult Safeguarding Team (based on the information available at the time; see Section 7.4 for online delivery)
- Professional standards guidance (non-emergency): IRNCH may be contacted for standards guidance where appropriate (not as an emergency safeguarding service)
12.3 Whistleblowing protection
Anyone raising a safeguarding concern in good faith will be supported and protected from retaliation.
13. Supporting learners
Where appropriate, we will provide support and signposting, which may include:
- encouraging contact with emergency services where needed
- signposting to specialist support organisations
- reasonable adjustments to participation where safe and appropriate
Support will be person-centred and respectful of the individual’s wishes where safe to do so.
14. Data protection and record retention (safeguarding records)
Safeguarding records will be handled in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Safeguarding records will:
- be stored securely (electronic records in a restricted-access folder)
- be accessible only to the DSL (and any authorised person where strictly necessary)
- be factual, dated, and kept separate from general training notes where practicable
Retention: Safeguarding records will be retained for 6 years after the concern is closed (or longer where required due to the nature of the concern or legal requirements).
15. Equality and accessibility
We are committed to inclusive safeguarding practice and will make reasonable adjustments and provide accessible formats on request, in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Safeguarding responses will be sensitive to:
- disability and additional support needs
- cultural, religious, and linguistic factors
- gender identity and sexual orientation
16. Training and awareness
The DSL will maintain safeguarding awareness appropriate to an online adult learning environment and refresh training at least every 3 years (or sooner if guidance changes).
Any person supporting delivery will be required to complete safeguarding awareness appropriate to their role before supporting delivery and refresh at least every 3 years.
17. Policy review
This policy will be reviewed annually and also following:
- any significant safeguarding incident
- changes to legislation/guidance
- changes to delivery model
18. Contact information
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Barbara HM Bochenek
Email: info@evolveandinspiresolutions.com
Phone: 07843 785547
Local Authority Adult Safeguarding Team:
Contact details vary by area. The DSL will contact the appropriate Local Authority Adult Safeguarding Team based on the information available at the time of the concern.
Police (Emergency): 999
Police (Non-Emergency): 101
19. Approval
Approved by: Barbara HM Bochenek, Sole Director
Date Approved: 16.07.2026
Next Review Date: 15.07.2026