Safeguarding and Staying Safe: A guide from tend

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Everyone deserves to be safe

Safeguarding is about people. All people.

While safeguarding frameworks are often associated with the protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, the right to be safe, supported and respected belongs to everyone.

Whether you are an adult learner, a young person just starting out, or anywhere in between, tend is here to support you throughout your learning journey, and beyond it.

In this guide, we’ll reveal that safeguarding is woven into everything we do. It is a genuine commitment to making sure every learner feels safe, valued, and able to thrive.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding means protecting individuals from abuse, neglect, and harm, while promoting their wellbeing and their right to live and learn safely. It encompasses children, young people, vulnerable adults, and any person who needs support or protection at any point in their life.

If something is affecting your safety or wellbeing, or if you are worries about someone else, you do not have to manage that alone. We are here to work with you and support you.

Your safeguarding responsibilities

As a learner with tend, you are expected to:

• Follow your workplace safeguarding policies and procedures
• Recognise signs and indicators of abuse or neglect
• Act appropriately if you have concerns about an individual’s safety or wellbeing
• Report concerns promptly to the appropriate person
• Escalate concerns if they are not addressed
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times

By following these guidelines diligently, you will be doing your part in keeping everyone safe.

Reporting safeguarding concerns

How you report a concern will depend on the nature of it. Here’s some guidance on how to find the right route:

• If you need support yourself: If something is affecting your own safety, wellbeing, or personal circumstances, you do not need to go through your workplace. Instead, you can speak to your Development Coach, raise a concern privately through the Tootoot app and any time (https://tootoot.co.uk/login), or email safeguarding@impactfutures.co.uk. Your Development Coach is there to support you throughout your learning journey. Anything you share will be handled with care and in line with our safeguarding responsibilities.
• If you have a concern about someone in your workplace: If you are worried about a colleague, a service user, a young person, or anyone else connected to your workplace, you should follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedures and report to your designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or manager. You can also reach out to your Development Coach for additional support and guidance if you need it.
• Not sure which route to take? That’s okay. You can contact our team at any time, and we will help you work out the right next step. You can call 01753 291 999, you can speak to your Development Coach, or you can email safeguarding@impactfutures.co.uk. As well as right here in this guide, you can also easily find these contact details in Aptem.

There are additional wellbeing and support resources available, including the Able Futures Guide, also in the Resource Centre within Aptem.

Let’s Talk: Your monthly wellbeing resource

Each month, our Let’s Talk publication explores a key topic to support your wellbeing, safety, and personal development.

Let’s Talk focuses on staying safe in the community, helping you build confidence in everyday situations, understanding personal boundaries, recognising risks, and knowing where to find support when you need it.

New Let’s Talk publications are released monthly, each covering a different wellbeing or development topic.

View the latest Let’s Talk publication and more. Visit the Resource Centre within Aptem.

Creating a safe learning environment

tend promotes a culture where learners:

• Feel confident speaking up
• Understand how to report concerns
• Are supported when raising issues
• Are encouraged to maintain professional standards
• Know where to access additional wellbeing and mental health support when needed

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. It’s not all on you. That said, your awareness and actions play a vital role in keeping individuals safe.

The tend Staying Safe guide offers further insight into safeguarding, staying aware, and steps to take if you need to raise concerns.

Our aim is to ensure everyone’s learning experience is enjoyable, fun, and full of positive impact. Staying safe is a big part of that. We are committed to helping you thrive.

View the tend Learner Handbook for full support and guidance. Still have questions? Reach out to our team today. Call 01753 596 004 or hit the button below.