What is Safeguarding?
Everyone has the right to live safely free from harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation. Safeguarding refers to the actions taken to protect children, young people and adults at risk from potential harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation while taking part in XRUK activities. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
All participants in activities with XRUK, and that XRUK is a part of, are expected to act in ways that uphold the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of others. However, effective safeguarding also requires clear processes, defined roles, and accountability to ensure that concerns are addressed consistently and appropriately.
XRUK recognises that safeguarding measures must be applied in ways that do not themselves cause harm, particularly to those who may require the greatest protection. Safeguarding practice should be proportionate, trauma-informed, and focused on prevention as well as response.
Safeguarding supports the safe inclusion of people in XRUK activities. However, it is recognised that certain roles, responsibilities, or teams may not be appropriate for particular individuals where there is a safeguarding risk that cannot be adequately mitigated.
Safeguarding relies on trust and transparency. Where an individual has a relevant history that may present a safeguarding risk, or becomes aware of such information relating to another participant, there is an expectation that this will be disclosed through appropriate safeguarding channels. Failure to do so may result in exclusion from certain roles or activities where this is necessary to protect others.
These are relevant to this policy when used to apply to a child, young person or adult with a care or support need.
Harm: any act or omission that results in physical or psychological injury, suffering or impairment to a person’s wellbeing.
Abuse: any act or omission that results in physical or psychological injury, suffering or impairment to a person’s wellbeing.
Neglect: the failure to provide or ensure the provision of appropriate care, support or protection, resulting in risk of harm to a person’s health or welfare.
Exploitation: the deliberate manipulation or abuse of power used to gain control over another person, usually for some form of gain, including for personal, financial or sexual reasons and which results in physical or psychological injury, suffering or impairment to a person’s wellbeing.
These definitions are consistent with UK safeguarding practice, including statutory guidance such as Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Care Act 2014.