Safeguarding Statement

Last reviewed: September 2026
Next scheduled review: September 2027

Rising Ohana’s CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, vulnerable adults, adults with care and support needs, and people with complex needs.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Everyone who comes into contact with Rising Ohana’s CIC has the right to feel safe, listened to, respected and protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm.

We work with children, mothers, parents, families, vulnerable adults and individuals who may have complex needs within community settings. Our work may include community outreach, one-to-one support, workshops, group activities, family support, counselling and other early-intervention services.

Safeguarding is therefore a fundamental part of how Rising Ohana’s CIC operates.

Our approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centred and focused on promoting safety, dignity, wellbeing, choice and respect.

What safeguarding means to us

Safeguarding means taking appropriate action to protect children, young people and adults at risk from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of harm while promoting their welfare, wellbeing and right to live safely.

Safeguarding is not limited to responding after harm has happened.

It also means:

• identifying concerns as early as possible;
• recognising changes in behaviour, presentation or circumstances that may indicate risk;
• listening to children, adults and families;
• providing safe opportunities for people to raise concerns;
• assessing and responding appropriately to risk;
• working with families and professionals to prevent concerns from escalating;
• sharing relevant information where it is necessary and lawful to protect someone; and
• referring concerns to the appropriate statutory safeguarding service when required.

Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

• physical abuse;
• emotional or psychological abuse;
• sexual abuse;
• neglect;
• domestic abuse;
• coercive or controlling behaviour;
• financial or material abuse;
• discriminatory abuse;
• organisational abuse;
• exploitation;
• criminal exploitation;
• sexual exploitation;
• modern slavery;
• self-neglect;
• online abuse or harm; and
• any other situation in which a child, young person or adult may be at risk of harm.

Safeguarding children and young people

The safety and welfare of children and young people are paramount.

Where Rising Ohana’s CIC becomes aware of information that indicates that a child may be experiencing, or may be at risk of experiencing, abuse, neglect or significant harm, we will follow our safeguarding procedures.

Depending on the level and nature of the concern, this may include contacting the relevant local authority Children’s Social Care service, Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), Children and Families Hub, Families First Contact Point or another appropriate statutory safeguarding agency.

We will not delay an appropriate safeguarding referral where doing so could place a child or young person at further risk.

Safeguarding adults and people with complex needs

Rising Ohana’s CIC also works with vulnerable adults, including adults with care and support needs and individuals who may have complex needs.

A person’s vulnerability may arise from a range of circumstances. This may include disability, learning needs, mental health needs, physical health needs, communication difficulties, neurodivergence, domestic abuse, social isolation, housing difficulties, exploitation or other circumstances affecting their ability to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.

We recognise that each adult is an individual and that having a disability, diagnosis or complex need does not automatically mean that a person lacks capacity or is unable to make their own decisions.

Our adult safeguarding practice is informed by the principles of:

• Empowerment – supporting people to make their own informed decisions wherever possible;
• Prevention – taking action before harm occurs;
• Proportionality – taking a proportionate response appropriate to the level of risk;
• Protection – supporting people who are in greatest need;
• Partnership – working appropriately with individuals, families, communities and other agencies; and
• Accountability – being transparent and accountable for safeguarding decisions.

Where concerns indicate that an adult with care and support needs is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect and may be unable to protect themselves because of those needs, we will follow the appropriate local adult safeguarding procedure.

This may include making a safeguarding referral to the relevant local authority Adult Social Care or Adult Safeguarding service.

Where issues of mental capacity arise, we will have regard to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and will not assume that someone lacks capacity simply because of their disability, diagnosis, communication needs or circumstances.

Our safeguarding responsibilities

Rising Ohana’s CIC is committed to:

• providing safe, welcoming and inclusive services;
• prioritising the safety and welfare of the people we support;
• listening to children, adults and families and taking concerns seriously;
• recognising and responding appropriately to signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm;
• carrying out appropriate risk assessments;
• maintaining clear safeguarding reporting and escalation procedures;
• maintaining accurate and appropriate safeguarding records;
• responding to safeguarding concerns without unnecessary delay;
• working appropriately with statutory agencies;
• using safer recruitment practices;
• obtaining appropriate DBS checks for roles where the role is eligible;
• ensuring workers understand the boundaries and standards expected within their role;
• ensuring safeguarding information is handled confidentially and shared appropriately;
• providing safeguarding training appropriate to each worker’s responsibilities; and
• reviewing and improving our safeguarding arrangements.

Our staff, workers, volunteers and associates

Safeguarding requirements apply to everyone carrying out work on behalf of Rising Ohana’s CIC.

This includes:

• employees;
• practitioners;
• counsellors;
• social workers;
• facilitators;
• volunteers;
• students and trainees;
• contractors;
• sessional workers; and
• associates.

Everyone working on behalf of Rising Ohana’s CIC is required to:

• read and comply with our current Safeguarding Policy and associated procedures;
• understand their individual safeguarding responsibilities;
• maintain appropriate professional boundaries;
• complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role;
• remain alert to possible safeguarding concerns;
• report concerns promptly through the correct safeguarding route;
• maintain confidentiality appropriately;
• record safeguarding information accurately and factually; and
• cooperate with safeguarding enquiries, referrals and investigations where required.

Failure to follow safeguarding requirements may result in action being taken in accordance with our safeguarding, disciplinary, contractual or volunteer procedures.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is:

Kaydian Duncan
Designated Safeguarding Lead – Rising Ohana’s CIC

Email: safeguarding@risingohanascic.com
Telephone: 07934 196 772

Safeguarding concerns relating to a child, young person, vulnerable adult, family, member of staff, practitioner, volunteer, associate or Rising Ohana’s activity can be reported to our Designated Safeguarding Lead.

All safeguarding concerns are taken seriously.

What happens when a safeguarding concern is reported to us?

When a safeguarding concern is raised, we will take appropriate action according to the circumstances and level of risk.

This may include:

• listening carefully to the person raising the concern;
• making an accurate factual record;
• notifying the Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• considering immediate safety;
• completing an appropriate safeguarding or risk assessment;
• putting immediate protective measures in place where necessary;
• discussing the concern with the appropriate safeguarding service;
• making a referral to Children’s Social Care or Adult Social Care;
• referring to MASH or the equivalent local safeguarding service;
• contacting the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where a concern involves someone working with children;
• notifying the relevant local authority where an allegation concerns someone working with adults at risk;
• contacting the police where a criminal offence may have been committed;
• contacting emergency services where there is immediate danger;
• considering whether a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service or another appropriate professional or regulatory body is required; and
• continuing appropriate support for the individual or family following the referral.

Where a person is in immediate danger or there is an emergency, call 999.

Concerns or allegations about one of our workers

Rising Ohana’s CIC takes allegations concerning the behaviour or conduct of anyone working on our behalf extremely seriously.

This includes allegations involving employees, practitioners, counsellors, facilitators, volunteers, students, contractors or associates.

Concerns may include allegations that a worker has:

• harmed a child or adult at risk;
• behaved inappropriately towards a child or adult at risk;
• abused a position of trust;
• breached professional boundaries;
• exploited or attempted to exploit a person receiving support;
• committed an offence against or relating to a child or adult at risk;
• behaved in a way that indicates that they may pose a risk of harm; or
• acted in a way that is inconsistent with our safeguarding standards.

Where an allegation is received, protecting the child, adult or family will be our immediate priority.

We will consider the level of risk and take appropriate interim protective measures.

Where necessary to protect the people using our services, this may include temporarily restricting or suspending the worker’s direct contact with children, vulnerable adults or families while the concern is being assessed.

Any such interim action is a protective measure and does not itself mean that an allegation has been proven.

We will follow appropriate and fair procedures and cooperate fully with any statutory safeguarding or criminal investigation.

Where an allegation concerns someone working with children, we will consult or refer to the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where the applicable threshold may be met.

Where a concern relates to someone working with vulnerable adults or adults with care and support needs, we will follow the relevant Adult Safeguarding / Person in a Position of Trust procedure and notify the appropriate local authority where required.

We will not attempt to conduct an internal investigation in a way that could compromise a police, LADO, Children’s Social Care or Adult Safeguarding investigation.

Where appropriate, an internal investigation, disciplinary process, contractual review or other organisational process may take place once it is appropriate to do so and in coordination with any external safeguarding process.

Where the legal criteria are met, Rising Ohana’s CIC will also make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

This includes circumstances where a person has been removed from regulated activity, or would have been removed had they not already stopped carrying out that work, because they have harmed or present a risk of harm to a child or vulnerable adult and the statutory referral criteria are met.

If the concern relates to our Designated Safeguarding Lead

If a concern or allegation relates directly to our Designated Safeguarding Lead, or you do not feel able to raise a concern with Rising Ohana’s CIC, you may contact the relevant local authority safeguarding service, LADO, Adult Safeguarding service or police directly.

No person should feel that they have to report a serious safeguarding concern only through Rising Ohana’s CIC.

Working openly with families

We aim to work openly, respectfully and collaboratively with the children, adults and families we support.

Where it is safe and appropriate, we will explain:

• what the concern is;
• why we are concerned;
• what action we are considering;
• whether information needs to be shared; and
• what may happen next.

However, there are circumstances where we may need to share information or make a safeguarding referral without first obtaining consent.

This may happen where:

• a child may be at risk of significant harm;
• an adult at risk may be experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect;
• there is a serious risk to another person;
• seeking consent could increase the level of risk;
• seeking consent could place someone in danger;
• informing someone could interfere with a safeguarding or criminal investigation; or
• there is another lawful safeguarding or legal reason for sharing the information.

The safety and welfare of the person at risk will remain central to our decision-making.

Confidentiality and safeguarding information

Information shared with Rising Ohana’s CIC is treated confidentially and handled in accordance with our Privacy Notice and applicable UK data protection legislation.

We do not routinely disclose personal information to unrelated third parties.

However, confidentiality is not absolute where safeguarding is concerned.

Where it is necessary and lawful to protect a child, young person or adult at risk, relevant information may be shared with organisations or professionals such as:

• Children’s Social Care;
• Adult Social Care;
• local authority safeguarding teams;
• MASH or equivalent safeguarding services;
• Local Authority Designated Officers;
• police;
• health services;
• emergency services;
• education providers;
• professional regulators; and
• other organisations with a legitimate safeguarding responsibility.

We will aim to share only information that is relevant, necessary and proportionate to the safeguarding concern.

Consent is not always required before information can lawfully be shared for safeguarding purposes.

Working in partnership

Effective safeguarding depends on organisations and professionals working together.

Rising Ohana’s CIC recognises that no individual practitioner or organisation will always have the complete picture of a person’s circumstances.

Where appropriate, we will work in partnership with:

• children and families;
• adults receiving support;
• local authorities;
• Children’s Social Care;
• Adult Social Care;
• safeguarding partnerships;
• health services;
• schools, colleges and education providers;
• police;
• housing services;
• mental health services;
• domestic abuse services;
• voluntary and community organisations; and
• other professionals involved with the individual or family.

Appropriate multi-agency working and lawful information sharing can be essential in identifying risk, preventing harm and ensuring that children and adults receive appropriate support.

Local safeguarding contacts

The appropriate safeguarding service will normally depend upon where the child, young person or adult lives or where the safeguarding concern has arisen.

Croydon – children and young people

Croydon Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

Telephone: 020 8255 2888
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm

Referrals should normally be submitted using Croydon Council’s online Children and Families referral portal.

General MASH enquiries:
mash@croydon.gov.uk

Urgent out-of-hours children’s safeguarding concerns:
020 8726 6400 – select option 5 for Children’s Services

Immediate danger: 999

Bromley – children and young people

Bromley Children and Families Hub

Telephone: 020 8461 7373 / 020 8461 7379
Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5pm

Email: candfhub@bromley.gov.uk

Referrals should normally be made through the Bromley Children and Families Hub portal.

Out of hours, weekends and public holidays:
0300 303 8671

Immediate danger: 999

Lewisham – children and young people

Lewisham Families First Contact Point (FFCP – formerly MASH)

Telephone: 020 8314 6660
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm

Email: mashagency@lewisham.gov.uk

Immediate danger: 999

Adult safeguarding

Where a concern relates to an adult at risk, we will follow the adult safeguarding procedures for the local authority in which the adult lives or the relevant safeguarding authority.

Croydon – Adult Safeguarding

Telephone: 020 8726 6500

Safeguarding concerns can also be reported through Croydon Council’s adult safeguarding online referral service.

Immediate danger: 999

Bromley – Adult Safeguarding

Telephone: 020 8461 7777

Email: adultsocialcare@bromley.gov.uk

Out of hours: 0300 303 8671

Immediate danger: 999

Lewisham – Adult Safeguarding

Telephone: 020 8314 7777 – Option 1

Email: gateway@lewisham.gov.uk

Out of hours: 020 8314 7766

Immediate danger: 999

Legislation and statutory guidance

Our safeguarding arrangements are informed by applicable safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures.

This includes, where relevant:

• Children Act 1989;
• Children Act 2004, as amended;
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026;
• Care Act 2014 and the Care and Support Statutory Guidance;
• Mental Capacity Act 2005;
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, as amended;
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, where relevant to regulated activity and DBS arrangements;
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021, where relevant;
• Human Rights Act 1998;
• Equality Act 2010;
• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR;
• current statutory guidance concerning safeguarding information sharing; and
• the safeguarding policies, thresholds and referral procedures of the local authorities and safeguarding partnerships in the areas in which we work.

Our policies and procedures are designed to reflect the nature of the services we provide and the children, families and adults we support.

Annual review of our safeguarding arrangements

Rising Ohana’s CIC formally reviews its Safeguarding Policy and safeguarding procedures at least annually.

We will also review them sooner where necessary, including following:

• changes in legislation or statutory guidance;
• changes to local safeguarding arrangements;
• a serious safeguarding incident;
• learning arising from a safeguarding concern;
• changes to the services we provide; or
• changes to our organisational structure or safeguarding responsibilities.

All workers are expected to follow the most current version of our Safeguarding Policy and associated procedures.

Safeguarding learning, practice and procedures are reviewed as part of our commitment to continually improving the safety and quality of our services.

Our Safeguarding Policy

This website statement provides a public overview of Rising Ohana’s CIC’s safeguarding commitment and arrangements.

We also maintain a more detailed Safeguarding Policy and associated procedures, which cover areas including:

• safeguarding responsibilities and governance;
• reporting and escalation;
• responding to disclosures;
• child safeguarding;
• adult safeguarding;
• vulnerable adults and complex needs;
• allegations and concerns about workers;
• LADO procedures;
• adult safeguarding and position-of-trust concerns;
• DBS responsibilities;
• safer recruitment;
• professional boundaries;
• lone working;
• information sharing;
• safeguarding record keeping;
• confidentiality;
• whistleblowing;
• training; and
• review and learning.

Our full Safeguarding Policy is available upon request.

Contact us about safeguarding

Kaydian Duncan
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Rising Ohana’s CIC

Email: safeguarding@risingohanascic.com
Telephone: 07934 196 772

If you have a concern about the safety or conduct of anyone associated with Rising Ohana’s CIC, please report it.

If a child, young person or adult is in immediate danger, call 999.