1. Purpose and Scope
FBM Empower Foundation believes that no one should ever experience abuse or harm. This policy statement outlines the framework under which our trustees, coordinators, and active volunteers operate to ensure the safety of all participants engaging in our free digital skills workshops, community hubs, and online mentoring suites.
2. Core Principles
Our approach to safeguarding is aligned with the UK Care Act 2014 and is built upon six key statutory principles:
- Empowerment: Supporting beneficiaries to make independent decisions through informed consent.
- Prevention: Taking early, proactive action to stop abuse or neglect before it occurs.
- Proportionality: Engaging in the least intrusive response appropriate to the level of risk presented.
- Protection: Delivering dedicated support and robust advocacy frameworks for those in greatest need.
- Partnership: Routing external reporting pathways directly into local authorities and emergency teams.
- Accountability: Complete transparent oversight governed rigidly by our trustee board.
3. Reporting & Duty of Care
All active foundation volunteers undergo background screening and operational briefing. When a vulnerability flag or direct disclosure is made during training courses, staff are mandated to document the incident securely and signpost data directly to Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH) within Greater Manchester or Sheffield local authorities.