Safeguarding Policy

Last reviewed August 2026.

Safeguarding means the steps an organisation takes so that the people it works with are not harmed by that work. For HealBridge it covers the women and children who come to us, the volunteers and partners who work with us, and the staff.

Our commitments

• A woman decides what happens to her. We do not report, refer or intervene without her agreement, except where a child is at risk of serious harm.
• No survivor is photographed, named or quoted anywhere by HealBridge, including on this website, in reports and in funding applications.
• Everyone who works with families for us is checked before they start and is trained in trauma informed practice.
• Nobody working or volunteering for HealBridge may begin a personal relationship with someone they are supporting.
• Every concern is written down, and every concern is acted on.

Children

Children who arrive with their mothers are supported in their own right, not treated as luggage. We keep school places wherever it is possible, because a change of school is one of the losses children feel most sharply, and we arrange counselling for children where they want it.

Where we believe a child is at risk of significant harm we have a duty to act, and we will. We will explain to the mother what we are doing and why, unless doing so would increase the danger to the child.

Raising a concern

If you are worried about the conduct of anyone connected with HealBridge, including a member of staff, a volunteer, a partner organisation or a trustee, tell us. Use the contact form, or call the support line and say that you want to raise a safeguarding concern. You can do this anonymously.

Concerns are looked at by someone who is not involved in the matter. You will be told what is happening unless doing so would put someone at risk. Nobody is penalised for raising a concern in good faith, even if it turns out to be mistaken.

What we ask of partners

Organisations that offer work, housing, treatment or professional time to the women we support agree to a short set of rules. Do not confirm to any caller that a person works or lives with you. Do not publish her name, image or location. Do not pass her details to anyone without her written agreement. Tell us at once if someone comes looking for her.