Safeguarding Policy for Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC

Designated Safeguarding Lead:

• Danielle Craig 
• Contact- spfcuk@outlook.com or please complete an incident form

Designated Safeguarding Deputy:

• Krystal Edwards
• Contact - spfcuk@outlook.com or please complete an incident form

If someone is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical assistance call 999

1. Introduction

Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) is a community support network providing connection, friendship and peer support for single parents. Safeguarding the wellbeing of our members particularly children and adults who may be at risk is cennteral to our purpose and values.

Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) is not a professional safeguarding or social care service. Our role is to recognise concerns, record and report them and take reasonable action to help protect our members.

This policy sets out how Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) approaches safeguarding both online and at in-person events including how concerns should be reported and managed.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

- All Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) members

- Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) administrators and moderators

- Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) chat hosts

- Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) event hosts

3. Our Safeguarding Commitment

We are committed to:

- Promoting a safe, respectful and inclusive environment.

- Protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm, abuse or exploitation.

- Taking safeguarding concerns seriously and ensuring they are appropriately  recorded, reviewed and acted upon.

- Responding to concerns proportionately and seeking appropriate advice or external support where necessary.

- Maintaining clear safeguarding procedures while recognising that Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) is a community support network and not a professional safeguarding service.

4. Reporting and Responding to Concerns

Anyone who becomes aware of a safeguarding concern should report it as soon as possible.

- Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) members should report using the SPFC Feedback and Complaints form. This can be completed anonymously.

- Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) team members including administrators, moderators, chat hosts and event hosts should record safeguarding concerns using the SPFC incident report form so that an appropriate internal record is kept.

- If a concern is initially raised directly with a Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) team member the team member should ensure that it is recorded using the Incident Report. 

- Team members should not investigate safeguarding concerns themselves, question those involved unnecessarily or attempt to get further evidence. Their role is to record what they have seen, heard or been told and pass this on for the safeguarding team via the incident form.

- The safeguarding team will review the information and decide what action if any is required including seeking profesional safeguarding advice where appropriate. 

- If someone is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical assistance call 999.

5. Safeguarding at Family Events and Meetups

We recognise the importance of community and connection and will organise and promote events where children are present.

All members attending events are required to complete our safe guarding form before attending. The information provided will be stored securely in line with GDPR and will only be used if needed for safeguarding or emergency purposes.

Responsibilities of Parents/Carers:

- Parents/carers remain responsible for the supervision and safety of their own children at all times.

- Children must not be left unattended or placed in the care of other attendees unless this has been mutually agreed between the parents/carers involved.

- Parents/carents should support their children to behave safely and respectfully towards others.

Any safeguarding concern that arises at an event should be reported to the event host or another Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) team member as soon as possible. The Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) team member must record the concern using the incident report form and follow the SPFC safeguarding process.

Responsibilities of Event Hosts:

- Take reasonable steps to ensure that the event and venue are suitable for the planned activity. 

- Remind parents/carers that they remain responsible for their own children.

- Respond appropriately to immediate safety concerns at the event.

- Record accidents, incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns using the SPFC incident report form.

- Pass safeguarding concerns to the safeguarding team using the incident report form rather than attempting to investigate them.

- Where someone's behaviour presents an immediate risk to others take responsible action to protect attendees including asking someone to leave where necessary.

Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) are intended to provide a safe, supportive and welcoming environment. All attendees are expected to follow the Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) Code of Conduct and any event specific safety rules or instructions.

6. Online Group Safety

SPFC offers optional online community spaces through third party platforms such as Facebook, Teams and Whatsapp to help members to connect, access support and build friendships. These spaces are designed to be supportive and respectful but members should be aware that SPFC cannot monitor private conversations or control interactions that take place outside of Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) managed spaces.

When joining Whatsapp group chats members should be aware that their phone number, name and profile photo may be visible to others within that chat. Participation in these spaces is always voluntary.

Members are encouraged to:

• Only share personal information that they feel comfortable sharing 
• Be mindful when communicating privately with people they have met through Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC)
• Report inappropriate behaviour, concerns or potential safeguarding issues using the SPFC Feedback and Complaints form. 
• Contact emergency services directly if someone appears to be in immediate danger.

Chat hosts and other Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) team members must report and record serious incidents or safeguarding concerns using the SPFC incident report form. 

Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) will take reasonable steps to provide safe and supportive online community spaces but cannot monitor or control the actions of individual members outside of Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) managed spaces.

7. Support and Signposting

Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) is a peer support community and is not a professional safeguarding, medical or crisis service. Where specialist or emergency support is required appropriate services should be contacted.

NSPCC (Child Protection) – 0808 800 5000

Advice and support about concerns for a child 

Childline (for young people) – 0800 1111

Support for children and young people

Samaritans (Mental health support) – 116 123

Emotional support for anyone struggling to cope

 Emergency Services – 999

If someone is in immediate danger or requires urgent emergency assistance

8. Review

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where required following a safeguarding incident, changes to relevant guidance or legislation or significant changes to how Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) operates.

The designated safeguarding lead and Single Parents Friendship and Community UK CIC (SPFC) directors are responsible for ensuring the policy remains appropriate and up to date.

Last updated: 01/10/2026

Next review due: 01/10/2027