Report A Safeguarding Concern
Please use this page to report a safeguarding concern.
If you are looking for more information on the measures Future Leaders Network takes to minimise the risk of Safeguarding incidents occurring, the steps we take to monitor, investigate, report and respond to Safeguarding concerns should they arise, along with explanations of the terminology we use in relation to Safeguarding, please refer to our Safeguarding Policy and Digital Safeguarding Policy.
LAST UPDATED: May 2021
How to respond to a Safeguarding concern
The guiding principle in responding to any concerns around safeguarding is that the protection and welfare of the child, young person or vulnerable adult should always come first.
No child, young person or vulnerable adult should be put at more risk by any action that may be taken at any stage including during an investigation of a concern or allegation.
FLN have put strong policies and procedures in place to ensure that Safeguarding concerns are dealt with immediately and appropriately, including training key individuals to respond effectively and in line with these policies procedures. This means that if you harbour concerns or evidence to suggest a Safeguarding incident has taken place:
You DO NOT need to decide whether or not abuse has taken place;
You DO need to pass on your concern and/or information AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY to the FLN Safeguarding contacts.
Unless in an emergency situation no individual should attempt to deal with a safeguarding incident alone.
In an emergency
If a child, young person or vulnerable adult is at immediate risk of harm (e.g. assault) or has been seriously injured, then act immediately in the best interests of the child, young person or vulnerable adult.
Always act in line with this principle. If uncertain about what to do and if time permits, then consult the FLN Safeguarding contacts. The appropriate FLN Safeguarding contact must always be informed once any emergency action has been undertaken.
Acting in the best interests of the child, young person or vulnerable adult will usually mean the need to contact the emergency services (police/hospital) but this will depend on the country in which the alleged victim is residing at the time and how safe it is to do so.
When responding to a Safeguarding concern that is not an emergency:
listen and reflect back what you are hearing;
avoiding making comments about the alleged perpetrator;
do not promise confidentiality;
take notes;
report the concern to the appropriate FLN Safeguarding contact immediately and provide the notes taken.
Reporting a Safeguarding concern
All Safeguarding incidents or concerns should be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Lead via email, by clicking here, or by phone on +44 203 868 0024. If there is no answer, or you call out of office hours, please leave a voicemail – messages are only accessible by the Safeguarding Lead and the Safeguarding Director. Voicemail will be active at all times.
The FLN Safeguarding Lead is currently Sophie Daud, Chief Executive Officer.
If the incident or concern relates to the Safeguarding Lead, then this should be reported to the Safeguarding Director via email, by clicking here, or by phone on +44 203 868 0520. If there is no answer, or you call out of office hours, please leave a voicemail – messages are only accessible by the Safeguarding Director. Voicemail will be active at all times.
The FLN Safeguarding Director is currently Ian Mason, Chairman.
Having your details helps us to be more effective at dealing with the situation, but if you do wish to remain anonymous, you can submit information relating to a Safeguarding incident or concern via a webform here.
If you require urgent safeguarding advice and cannot reach the Safeguarding Lead or Safeguarding Director, the NSPCC provides this 24 hour advisory service, which includes a phone helpline from 8am – 10pm (GMT) during the week, and 9am – 6pm (GMT) at the weekend.
While this is primarily to serve children in the UK, they would be able to provide some limited out of hours informed safeguarding advice in an emergency.
In all situations, even if you have contacted the NSPCC, please notify the relevant FLN Safeguarding contact (Safeguarding Lead or Safeguarding Director) at the earliest opportunity subsequent to contacting the NSPCC.