Buzz Active is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young
people, and vulnerable adults who engage with our services. This policy outlines our guiding
principles, governance structure, staff responsibilities, reporting pathways, and key safeguarding
processes. It applies to all staff, volunteers, contractors, visiting groups, and partner organisations
working on any Buzz Active site.
The welfare of the child is paramount.
All decisions, actions, and procedures must prioritise the physical, emotional, and
psychological safety of participants.
Clear operational safeguarding procedures are in place across all Buzz Active sites to
protect clients and staff.
Staff training and awareness underpin effective safeguarding. All staff receive training
on recognising signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
No tolerance for abuse or inappropriate conduct.
Buzz Active seeks to foster a culture of safety, accountability, and transparency.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Any concern—no matter how small—must be reported.
Safeguarding governance at Buzz Active is overseen through a layered structure designed to
ensure accountability and robust oversight:
3.1 Strategic Oversight
East Sussex County Council (ESCC) provides overall governance, policy alignment, and
statutory safeguarding oversight.
Buzz Active works within the ESCC safeguarding framework, adhering to national
legislation and relevant multi-agency procedures.
3.2 Organisational Responsibility
The Business Manager (Richard Wilson) holds overall responsibility for ensuring safeguarding procedures are implemented and monitored.
Safeguarding performance is reviewed termly, including:
o Policy compliance
o Staff training status
o Incident logs and audit trails
o Lessons learned from referrals or near-misses
o Alignment with ESCC updates and national guidance
3.3 Operational Governance
Each site lead or senior instructor ensures daily safeguarding practice, risk assessments, participant supervision ratios, and incident response procedures.
Safeguarding responsibilities are embedded into:
o Staff induction
o Annual training cycles
o Activity planning and delivery
o Volunteer and contractor management
o Partner organisation agreements
Buzz Active maintains a clear line of safeguarding responsibility.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Richard Wilson – Business Manager
Deputy DSLs:
RW, TF, PL, or the senior instructor in charge during operational hours.
4.1 Responsibilities
The DSL and deputy DSLs will:
Act as the primary point of contact for all safeguarding concerns involving children or
vulnerable adults.
Make referrals to:
Social Services / SPOA
Police where immediate risk is identified
Ensure Buzz Active contributes fully to multi-agency safeguarding processes.
Provide support and guidance to staff regarding disclosures, concerns, and next steps.
Maintain secure and confidential safeguarding records.
All Buzz Active staff and volunteers have a legal duty to:
Remain alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or significant harm.
Report immediately any concern to the DSL or deputy DSL.
Understand that it is not their role to investigate allegations.
Record concerns factually and promptly when advised by the DSL.
Staff must report:
Suspicions a child or young person is suffering, or is at risk of suffering, abuse.
Disclosures made by a child or young person.
Allegations against any staff member, volunteer, or external adult.
6.1 Reporting Safeguarding Concerns (Children or Young People) Single Point of Advice (SPOA) – East Sussex County Council 0-19.SPOA@eastsussex.go.uk Staff must complete and submit the relevant SOR Referral Form when instructed by the DSL.
6.2 Allegations Against Adults in Positions of Trust Local Area Designated Officer (LADO)
LADO@eastsussex.gov.uk Reports involving ANY Buzz Active staff, volunteers, contractors, or partner staff must be escalated immediately to the DSL and then to the LADO.
Accurate, secure, and confidential record-keeping is critical.
Staff should record:
The reason for the concern
Exact wording of any disclosure
What was witnessed or heard
Dates, times, context, and relevant observations
Date/time the record was created Storage
All records are stored by the DSL in locked and restricted-access files.
Records may be shared as evidence in safeguarding investigations or legal proceedings.
Buzz Active maintains zero tolerance for inappropriate conduct.
We commit to:
Responding swiftly to allegations.
Protecting staff who report concerns (whistleblowing).
Ensuring all allegations are escalated to the business manager and the LADO.
Following statutory guidance for managing allegations.
Staff must not promise confidentiality to a child making a disclosure.
Information is shared strictly on a need-to-know basis.
During any investigation, the source of the referral will be made known to the relevant
safeguarding agencies.
Buzz Active works collaboratively with:
Social Services
Police
Health professionals
Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships (LSCP)
Schools, colleges, and youth services
Information will be shared in line with statutory guidance and data protection legislation to
support safeguarding investigations and care plans.
Staff working alone must:
Notify the site lead/manager upon arrival and departure.
Carry a charged mobile phone, and emergency contact numbers or a radio for contact
with senior team if on site but lone working remotely in range.
Report all concerns or unexpected incidents immediately.
Ensure buildings and equipment are secured when not in use.
Only use activity areas for approved lone-working activities.
12. Related Policies
Safeguarding links directly to several other operational policies:
Safer Recruitment
Staff Training and Competency
Behaviour and Conduct
Pastoral Care
Risk Assessment Procedures
Dignity at work
Data Protection and Confidentiality
Health & Safety
Whistleblowing
13.1 Significant Harm
Defined under the Children Act 1989 as:
Harm: Ill-treatment or impairment of health/development.
Development: Physical, intellectual, emotional, social, or behavioural.
Health: Physical or mental health.
Ill-treatment: Includes sexual abuse, emotional harm, physical harm, or neglect.
13.2 Categories of Abuse
Physical Abuse: Non-accidental injuries (bruises, fractures, burns).
Neglect: Failure to meet basic physical/emotional needs.
Sexual Abuse: Involving children in sexual activity, including exploitation of trust.
Emotional Abuse: Persistent denial of love, approval, or emotional support.
(Updated list with more modern contextual relevance)
Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government)
Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE latest edition)
What to Do If You’re Worried a Child Is Being Abused (HM Government)
East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership (ESSCP) Procedures
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Procedures
Data Protection Act 2018 & UK GDPR (relevant to safeguarding information sharing
