Safeguarding Policy

SOLAS WAY
SAFEGUARDING POLICY

1. Our commitment

Solas Way is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

We believe that all children and young people have the right to be protected from harm and to be treated with dignity, respect and care.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all people working with or on behalf of Solas Way are expected to act in a way that protects children and young people from harm.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all Solas Way staff, directors, associates, contractors and anyone delivering services on behalf of Solas Way.

It applies whether contact with children and young people is direct or indirect, including where safeguarding information is shared by parents, carers, schools or professionals.

3. Our approach

Solas Way will:

take safeguarding concerns seriously
listen carefully to concerns raised by children, young people, parents and carers
act promptly where there is concern that a child or young person may be at risk of harm
maintain appropriate professional boundaries
handle safeguarding information carefully and proportionately
share information where necessary to protect a child or young person
maintain appropriate safeguarding knowledge and training
expect anyone working on behalf of Solas Way to follow this policy and associated procedures

4. Safeguarding responsibility

The Director of Solas Way holds overall responsibility for safeguarding within the organisation. This includes:

maintaining safeguarding procedures
responding to concerns and disclosures
deciding when information should be shared with safeguarding or statutory agencies
maintaining appropriate safeguarding records
ensuring that anyone working on behalf of Solas Way understands their safeguarding responsibilities

Where Solas Way grows or works with additional associates, safeguarding responsibilities may be delegated appropriately, but overall organisational responsibility remains with Solas Way.

5. Safeguarding training

Anyone working on behalf of Solas Way who may receive, identify or respond to safeguarding information is expected to maintain safeguarding knowledge and training appropriate to their role. Training will be refreshed periodically and updated where legislation, statutory guidance or recognised safeguarding practice changes. Where associates or contractors work on behalf of Solas Way, they will be expected to provide evidence of appropriate safeguarding training where relevant to their role.

6. DBS and safer working

Where a role involves regulated activity or other work for which a DBS check is appropriate, Solas Way will require the relevant level of Disclosure and Barring Service check.

DBS checks are only one part of safer working practice. Solas Way will also consider professional qualifications, references, safeguarding training, professional conduct and role boundaries where relevant.

7. Recognising concerns

Safeguarding concerns may arise through:

something a child or young person says
information shared by a parent, carer or professional
concerns about neglect, abuse, exploitation or harm
concerns about a child or young person’s safety or wellbeing
concerns about the behaviour of an adult working with children
online contact or communication
information contained in documents shared with Solas Way

Concerns will be considered in context and recorded where appropriate.

8. Responding to disclosures or concerns

If a child, young person, parent or carer shares a safeguarding concern, Solas Way will:

listen carefully and take the concern seriously
avoid asking unnecessary or leading questions
explain, where appropriate, that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where someone may be at risk of harm
record the concern accurately
consider whether immediate action is required
share relevant information with appropriate safeguarding or statutory agencies where necessary

Government guidance makes clear that information can and should be shared where it is necessary to safeguard children, and that concerns about consent should not prevent appropriate information sharing where there is a lawful basis to act.

9. Immediate risk

If Solas Way believes that a child or young person is in immediate danger, emergency services or the relevant safeguarding authority may be contacted without delay. Where there is no immediate danger but a safeguarding concern remains, Solas Way may seek advice or make a referral to the relevant local authority children’s social care service or another appropriate agency.

10. Confidentiality and information sharing

Information shared with Solas Way will normally be treated confidentially and used only for the purpose for which it was provided. However, confidentiality is not absolute. Where there is a safeguarding concern, information may be shared where this is necessary and proportionate to protect a child, young person or another person from harm. Where possible and appropriate, Solas Way will explain what information is being shared and why.

11. Record keeping

Safeguarding concerns will be recorded clearly and securely. Records will distinguish between:

factual information
observations
information reported by others
professional judgement or action taken

Safeguarding records will be stored securely and access restricted to those who need the information.

12. Online work and professional boundaries

Solas Way services may be delivered online. Where online contact takes place:

communication will use appropriate professional channels
contact with children or young people will normally take place with the knowledge and involvement of a parent, carer or responsible professional
private or informal social-media contact will not be used for service delivery
professional boundaries will be maintained at all times

13. Concerns about someone working with Solas Way

Any concern or allegation about the conduct of a person working with or on behalf of Solas Way will be taken seriously.

Where appropriate, Solas Way may:

suspend or restrict that person’s involvement while concerns are considered
seek safeguarding advice
make a referral to the relevant local authority designated officer, regulatory body, professional body, DBS or police where required

14. Equality and additional vulnerability

Solas Way recognises that some children may face additional safeguarding risks because of disability, SEND, communication differences, dependency on adults, discrimination or previous experiences. All children and young people will be given equal priority in safeguarding decisions. NSPCC guidance specifically recommends recognising that some children may be additionally vulnerable because of disability, communication needs, dependency or discrimination.

15. Safeguarding and SEND

Children and young people with SEND may communicate distress or harm in ways that are not immediately recognised.

Solas Way will avoid assuming that changes in behaviour, communication or wellbeing are simply part of a child or young person’s SEND profile where safeguarding concerns may also be present.

16. Raising a concern about Solas Way

If you have a safeguarding concern relating to Solas Way or someone working on its behalf, contact: hello@solasway.com

If the concern relates directly to the Director, or you do not feel able to raise it with Solas Way, you should contact the relevant local authority safeguarding service, police, or another appropriate safeguarding body.

17. External safeguarding support

If you are concerned that a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

For safeguarding advice, you may also contact the NSPCC Helpline or your local authority children’s social care service.

18. Policy review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually, and sooner where:

legislation or statutory guidance changes
safeguarding practice develops
Solas Way’s services or staffing arrangements change
a safeguarding incident or concern identifies a need for revision

Policy owner: Director, Solas Way Ltd
Effective from: October 2026
Next review: October 2027

SOLAS WAY SAFEGUARDING POLICY