Safeguarding Policy

CareBridge Academy

Effective Date: 9 June 2026

Policy Review Date: 9 June 2026


1. Introduction

CareBridge Academy is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, safety and wellbeing of all learners, participants, visitors and individuals engaging with our services. We recognise our responsibility to help protect individuals from abuse, neglect, exploitation, harm and inappropriate conduct and are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment.

As an organisation delivering online training, employability programmes, workshops and educational support, including services involving young people and vulnerable individuals, CareBridge Academy recognises the importance of safeguarding responsibilities and the need to respond appropriately where concerns arise.

This Safeguarding Policy outlines the principles, procedures and safeguarding commitments in place to support the protection and wellbeing of individuals engaging with CareBridge Academy services.

This policy was formally reviewed and reassessed on 9 June 2026.


2. Safeguarding Commitment

CareBridge Academy believes that all individuals have the right to live, learn and participate in environments free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, intimidation or harm.

We are committed to:

  • Promoting a safe and inclusive learning environment

  • Encouraging respectful and professional behaviour

  • Responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns

  • Taking concerns seriously and proportionately

  • Maintaining confidentiality where appropriate

  • Supporting individuals to access further help and support services where necessary

  • Maintaining safeguarding awareness across all services provided

Although CareBridge Academy operates primarily online, safeguarding responsibilities remain a priority across all interactions, communications and learning activities.


3. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

  • Learners

  • Workshop participants

  • Young people engaging with services

  • Parents or guardians where applicable

  • Visitors to the website or online platforms

  • Individuals accessing employability support

  • Any person engaging with CareBridge Academy services or activities

CareBridge Academy recognises that safeguarding responsibilities apply to both adults and children, particularly where individuals may be vulnerable due to age, disability, mental health, personal circumstances or risk factors.


4. Understanding Safeguarding

Safeguarding refers to protecting an individual’s right to live in safety and free from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm.

CareBridge Academy recognises a range of safeguarding concerns and abuse types including, but not limited to:

  • Physical abuse

  • Emotional or psychological abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Financial abuse

  • Neglect or acts of omission

  • Discriminatory abuse

  • Domestic abuse

  • Online abuse or exploitation

  • Bullying or harassment

  • Modern slavery

  • Radicalisation or extremism

  • Self-neglect

  • Grooming or coercive behaviour

Safeguarding concerns may arise through direct disclosure, behaviour, communication, online interactions or concerns raised by others.


5. Online Learning and Digital Safety

As an online learning provider, CareBridge Academy recognises the importance of maintaining safe digital learning environments.

Reasonable measures will be taken to:

  • Promote respectful online behaviour

  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries

  • Respond appropriately to concerning behaviour or disclosures

  • Encourage safe and responsible online participation

  • Protect learner confidentiality where reasonably possible

  • Maintain secure communication systems and platforms where appropriate

Participants are expected to behave respectfully and appropriately during online workshops, learning sessions and communications.


6. Raising a Safeguarding Concern

Learners, parents, participants or individuals who have safeguarding concerns regarding themselves or another person are encouraged to report concerns as soon as possible.

Safeguarding concerns may be raised via:

📧 carebridgetraining@outlook.com
📞 07518 398236

Or through the online safeguarding reporting form:

🌐 https://forms.gle/QeSQpRpDzJvs4WCf8

CareBridge Academy encourages individuals to report concerns even where they are uncertain whether a matter constitutes a safeguarding issue.


7. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Where safeguarding concerns are identified, CareBridge Academy will take concerns seriously and respond appropriately, proportionately and sensitively based on the information available.

Actions may include:

  • Listening to concerns respectfully

  • Recording concerns appropriately

  • Assessing immediate risks

  • Providing reassurance or support

  • Signposting individuals to appropriate services

  • Contacting safeguarding authorities or emergency services where necessary

  • Referring concerns to external safeguarding agencies where appropriate

Where there is immediate danger or risk of serious harm, emergency services should be contacted without delay.

CareBridge Academy recognises that safeguarding concerns may require urgent action and reserves the right to share information where necessary to protect individuals or comply with legal obligations.


8. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

CareBridge Academy recognises the importance of confidentiality and responsible handling of safeguarding information.

Safeguarding information will be handled sensitively and shared only where:

  • Necessary to protect an individual

  • Required to prevent harm

  • Required by law

  • Necessary for safeguarding or welfare purposes

  • Required by external safeguarding authorities or emergency services

Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where safeguarding concerns indicate risk of harm or legal obligations to disclose information exist.

Safeguarding records will be maintained securely in accordance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and applicable confidentiality obligations.


9. Safeguarding Records

CareBridge Academy may maintain records relating to safeguarding concerns, disclosures, actions taken and communication relating to safeguarding matters where reasonably necessary.

Records will be:

  • Maintained securely

  • Restricted to authorised persons where appropriate

  • Retained proportionately

  • Managed in accordance with applicable data protection and safeguarding responsibilities

This section was reviewed and reassessed on 9 June 2026.


10. Professional Conduct and Boundaries

CareBridge Academy is committed to maintaining professional conduct, respectful communication and appropriate boundaries across all interactions.

Inappropriate, abusive, threatening, discriminatory or exploitative behaviour towards learners, participants or staff will not be tolerated and may result in removal from services or further action where appropriate.

All individuals engaging with CareBridge Academy services are expected to contribute towards a safe and respectful learning environment.


11. External Support and Emergency Services

Where appropriate, CareBridge Academy may signpost individuals to relevant support organisations, safeguarding services, healthcare professionals, local safeguarding authorities or emergency services.

CareBridge Academy does not replace statutory safeguarding agencies and recognises the importance of working alongside appropriate external services where safeguarding concerns arise.

In emergency situations where there is immediate danger or risk to life, individuals should contact emergency services immediately by calling 999.


12. Policy Review and Ongoing Commitment

CareBridge Academy is committed to regularly reviewing safeguarding practices to ensure procedures remain effective, proportionate and aligned with current legislation, guidance and best practice.

This Safeguarding Policy may be reviewed, updated or amended periodically to reflect:

  • Legislative changes

  • Operational developments

  • Safeguarding guidance updates

  • Service expansion

  • Organisational requirements

The most recent version of this policy will remain available via the CareBridge Academy website.

This policy was formally reviewed and reassessed by CareBridge Academy on 9 June 2026.

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