Bringing Families Together

Safeguarding policy

Bringing Families Together Ltd exists to keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe during supervised and supported contact, handovers and transport. This page sets out how that happens, in line with the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland, the Getting It Right for Every Child approach, and the child protection procedures of the local authority area in which the child lives.

Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All supervised and supported contact sessions
  • Transport of children and/or family members
  • Communication before, during and after contact
  • Any safeguarding concern that is observed or disclosed

Key principles

  • The child's welfare is paramount
  • Every child has the right to be safe and protected from harm
  • Safeguarding concerns are taken seriously and acted on promptly
  • Confidentiality is respected, but never at the expense of safety
  • All work follows local child protection procedures

Recognising abuse

Bringing Families Together Ltd recognises physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and exposure to domestic abuse. Indicators may include unexplained injuries, behavioural changes, fearfulness, withdrawal or inappropriate sexual behaviour. Any of these will be noted and acted on, not overlooked.

Roles and responsibilities

As an independent provider, Bringing Families Together Ltd will:

  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times
  • Remain alert to safeguarding concerns throughout every session
  • Record factual, accurate and timely notes
  • Report concerns to the relevant authorities without delay
  • Follow instructions from referring local authorities, courts or solicitors

During supervised and supported contact

  • The environment is checked and risk assessed before every session
  • Interactions are supervised at the agreed level, supported or supervised
  • A session will be interrupted or ended if a child is at risk of harm, if inappropriate behaviour occurs, or if contact breaches a court or local authority condition
  • Situations that compromise professional or personal safety are avoided where possible

During transport

When transporting children or family members, Bringing Families Together Ltd will:

  • Use a vehicle that is roadworthy, insured and compliant with MOT requirements
  • Use appropriate car seats and seatbelts in line with UK legislation
  • Never leave a child unattended in the vehicle
  • Plan safe routes and keep in communication where required
  • Avoid unnecessary stops, detours or personal errands
  • Maintain professional boundaries throughout the journey
  • Follow lone working procedures, including sharing journey details where appropriate

If a disclosure is made

If a child or adult discloses something during a session or journey:

  • The worker will stay calm and listen carefully
  • No promises of confidentiality will be made
  • Leading questions will not be asked
  • The person will be reassured that they have done the right thing
  • What was said will be recorded as accurately as possible, in their own words
  • The concern will be reported immediately to the appropriate authority

Reporting a concern

Any child protection concern is reported to:

  • The referring local authority social worker
  • The local authority social work duty team for the area the child lives in
  • Police Scotland, where a crime may have been committed
  • Emergency services on 999, where there is immediate risk

Reporting follows the child protection procedures of the local authority area in which the child lives. Every report includes the date, time and location, the names of those involved, factual observations rather than opinions, and the action taken.

Records and confidentiality

  • Records are stored securely and confidentially
  • Information is shared strictly on a need-to-know basis
  • UK GDPR principles are followed throughout
  • Records may be shared with courts, solicitors or local authorities where required

More detail on how personal information is handled is set out in the privacy notice.

Professional boundaries

  • Professional relationships are maintained at all times
  • Contact details are used for work purposes only
  • There is no engagement with service users via personal social media
  • Gifts are not accepted, and no financial transactions take place outside agreed services

Lone working

As an independent service provider, Bringing Families Together Ltd will:

  • Carry out a risk assessment before every session and journey
  • Share schedules with a trusted contact where necessary
  • Carry a fully charged mobile phone at all times
  • Withdraw from any situation where safety is compromised

The full detail, including how emergencies and incidents are handled, is set out in the lone working policy.

If an allegation is made against us

Any allegation made against Bringing Families Together Ltd is reported immediately to the local authority social work service and, where a crime may have been committed, to Police Scotland. Allegations about a person in a position of trust are handled under the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland. Where a concern suggests that a person may be unsuitable to work with children, a referral is made to Disclosure Scotland under the Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme. Full cooperation is given to any investigation, and professional conduct and accurate records are maintained throughout.

Training

Safeguarding training is kept up to date, policies are reviewed regularly, and current legislation and best practice are followed closely.

In an emergency

  • Call 999 immediately
  • Ensure the immediate safety of the child or vulnerable person
  • Inform the relevant authority as soon as possible

Reviewing this policy

This policy is reviewed annually, and sooner if legislation changes, if a safeguarding incident occurs, or if best practice guidance is updated. It was last reviewed in August 2026.

Questions

For a copy of the full policy, or to raise a safeguarding question, contact Aimee on 07934 756 311 or at aimee@bringingfamiliestogether.co.uk. Bringing Families Together Ltd, Company No. SC886103.