BH Safeguarding Policy

1. Policy Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this policy is to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. Bromley Humanists (BH), a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered in England and Wales (reg No. - - - - - - - - - -), provides educational and community activities. Some of these activities involve working with vulnerable groups.

This policy applies to all trustees, members, staff, and volunteers. Partner organisations must meet these standards. They must also follow rules set by regulators such as the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) or the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

2. Our Safeguarding Principles

• Zero Tolerance: Nobody should ever experience abuse, harm, neglect, or exploitation.

• Shared Duty: We all have a duty to promote the welfare of our beneficiaries.

• Open Culture: We encourage a safe space where people can speak up about concerns.

3. Recognising Abuse and Neglect

Abuse can take many forms. We train our team to spot signs of harm in both children and adults.

For Children (under 18)

We monitor for signs of abuse as defined by the Department for Education (DfE):

• Physical Abuse: Hitting, shaking, or causing physical harm.

• Emotional Abuse: Constant criticism, bullying, or lack of love.

• Sexual Abuse: Forcing a child into sexual activities.

• Neglect: Failing to provide food, shelter, clothing, or medical care.

For Adults at Risk (under the Care Act 2014)

• Domestic Abuse: Control or violence by a partner or family member.

• Financial Abuse: Theft, fraud, or stealing a person’s money or benefits.

• Modern Slavery: Forced labour or human trafficking.

• Discriminatory Abuse: Harassment based on race, age, disability, or religion.

• Organisational Abuse: Poor care practices within a group or institution.

• Self-Neglect: A person hoarding or neglecting their own hygiene and health.

Radicalisation to Terrorism

Under the Government PREVENT program, we watch for signs of extremist grooming. This includes people accessing violent websites or justifying violence to solve problems.

4. Reporting Procedures

Do not wait. Do not assume someone else will report it.

If a crime is happening or someone is in immediate danger? First, call 999. Then, report the accident internally to the DSL below.

Step 1: Internal Reporting

Report all concerns immediately to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

• DSL Name: Reza Zolfagharifard

• DSL Phone: 07818 143 035

• DSL Email: reza@homosum.uk

• Deputy DSL: Brian Venables

Step 2: External Reporting

If the DSL is not available, or you need to escalate the issue, contact local statutory services directly:

• Child Concerns: Contact the Bromley Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 020 8461 7373 or 020 8461 7379.

• Adult Concerns: Contact the Bromley Adult Social Care Team on 020 8461 7777.

• Out of Hours: For emergencies outside office hours, call 0300 303 8671.

Step 3: Charity Commission Reporting

The trustees will report any “Serious Incidents” directly to the Charity Commission using the official Government reporting portal.

5. Working with Vulnerable Adults

When dealing with adults, we value their choices. We will:

• Inform the adult of what we plan to do.

• Ask for their agreement before making a referral, unless doing so puts them or others in greater danger.

• Keep them safe and supported throughout the process.

6. Trustee Responsibilities

The Board of Trustees holds ultimate governance over this policy The board will:

• Review and sign off on this policy every year.

• Appoint a lead trustee to oversee safety, whistleblowing, and health and safety.

• Ensure we perform Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks on all eligible staff and volunteers.

• Keep a secure central register of all DBS checks and safeguarding training.

• Protect personal data in line with UK data protection laws (UK GDPR).

. Safeguarding and Fundraising

Our fundraising practices protect the public. We will:

• Follow the Code of Fundraising Practice.

• Train staff using guidance from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

• Never accept donations from anyone who lacks the mental capacity to make their own decisions.

8. Online Safeguarding

We keep our digital spaces safe by:

• Using secure passwords and privacy settings for online meetings.

• Setting age restrictions where appropriate.

• Getting clear, written consent from parents or guardians before posting photos of minors online.

Approval and Review

• Approved By: Board of Trustees

• Date of Approval: 19 June 2026

• Next Review Date: 19 June 2027

• Trustees: Denis Cobell, Brian Venables, Patrick Hawkins, and Reza Zolfagharifard.