Safeguarding.

The Beehive Hub

Safeguarding Policy

Purpose of the Policy.

The Beehive Hub is committed to safeguarding practices that help ensure the safety of children whilst taking part in our group activities and in the wider community. This policy helps everyone:

  • be aware of our legal responsibilities

  • understand the safeguarding risks

  • know what to do if they have a concern about the wellbeing or welfare of any child that comes into contact with The Beehive Hub.

This safeguarding policy, and associated procedures, apply to all individuals involved in The Beehive Hub, including but not limited to: members non-members, volunteers, and Owners. The policy applies to all concerns about the safety of children while taking part in the activities we run, or while in the wider community.

Code of Conduct.

When working with children we are acting in a position of trust. We recognise that keeping our group safe is everyone’s responsibility, and we expect our members, volunteers and Owners to behave according to the following values:

  • All children have an equal right to protection from abuse and to be kept safe from harm regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

  • We/you recognise some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.

  • We/you listen to and respect everyone in the group.

  • We/you use language that is appropriate for age and ability, and not offensive or discriminatory.

  • We/you encourage a culture of honesty, where everyone feels comfortable to point out attitudes or behaviours they do not like.

  • We/you know it isn’t always easy to be vocal about concerns – for ourselves or for other people.

  • All allegations and suspicions of neglect and abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

This means we/you will never:

  • Promise to keep secrets – safeguarding relies on sharing concerns appropriately with other agencies.

  • Allow suspicions or allegations of abuse or neglect to go unreported

  • Act in a way that is threatening, abusive or bullying

  • Jump to conclusions about others without checking facts

Legislation.

The Beehive Hub recognises the importance of Working Together to Safeguard Children. We are committed to working with our local authorities and the Local Safeguarding Children Board when needed.

This policy, and the practices within it, are based on the relevant legislation and guidance seeking to protect children, including:

  • The Children Acts 1989 and 2004;

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018

Definitions.

The Children Act 1989 defines a child as: anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, even if they are living independently, are a member of the armed forces or are in hospital.

Child abuse happens when a person harms a child. Children may be abused by: family members; friends; people working or volunteering in organisational or community settings; people they know; or strangers.

The types of abuse we need to be aware of are:

  • Physical abuse

  • Neglect

  • Emotional abuse

  • Bullying and cyberbullying

  • Child sexual exploitation

  • Child criminal exploitation

  • Child trafficking

  • Domestic abuse

  • Female genital mutilation

  • Grooming

  • Historical abuse

  • Online abuse

  • Radicalisation

Recognising Safeguarding Concerns.

There are many signs and indicators that may suggest a child is experiencing abuse or neglect. There may be other explanations too, but The Beehive Hub will not ignore any of these signs if they are apparent.

A child may confide (disclose) to a Owner, volunteer, Members/Non-Members of The Beehive Hub that they are experiencing abuse, inside or outside the activities of the group. Or someone else may notice signs in a particular child.

Different forms of abuse and neglect may have different signs. We will look out for all those listed below.

Physical Abuse

Visible signs

  • Injuries to any part of the body

  • Children who find it painful to walk, sit down, move their jaws or exhibit other signs of pain

  • Injuries which are not typical of the bumps and bruises associated with children’s activities

  • The regular occurrence of unexplained injuries

  • The child who is frequently injured where even apparently reasonable reasons are given

Behavioural signs

  • Furtive or secretive behaviour

  • Uncharacteristic aggression or withdrawn behaviour

  • Compulsive eating or sudden loss of appetite

  • The child who suddenly becomes ill co-ordinated

  • The child who finds it difficult to stay awake

What to listen for

  • Confused or conflicting explanations about how injuries were sustained

  • Evaluate carefully what is said and preferably document it verbatim

  • Consider if the explanation is in keeping with the nature and site of the injury

Consider

  • What you know about the family?

  • Is there a history of known or suspected abuse?

  • Has the family been under stress recently?

  • Do you have concerns about the family?

Emotional Abuse

Watch for parent/carer behaviours

  • Poor attachment with the child

  • Unresponsive or neglectful behaviour towards the child’s emotional needs

  • Persistent negative comments about the child

  • Inappropriate or inconsistent developmental expectations of the child

  • Parental problems that supersede the needs of the child

  • Dysfunctional family relationships, including domestic violence

Watch for child behaviours

  • Signs of low self-esteem, unhappiness, fear, distress, anxiety

  • Attention seeking, opposing, withdrawn, insecure

  • Failure to thrive/faltering growth, delay in achieving developmental, cognitive or educational milestones

Sexual Abuse

There may be no obvious signs of sexual abuse, but the following may be signs that a child is, or has been, sexually abused:

Physical signs

  • Signs of blood or discharge on the child’s under clothes

  • Awkwardness in walking or sitting down

  • Tummy pains

  • Regression into bed-wetting

  • Tiredness

Behavioural signs

  • Extreme variations in behaviour (e.g. anxiety or withdrawal)

  • Sexually provocative behaviour or knowledge that is incompatible with the child’s age or understanding

  • Drawings and/or writing that is sexually explicit (this can be an indirect disclosure)

  • Direct disclosure; it is important to recognise that young children have neither the experience nor the understanding to be able to make up stories about sexual assault.

Neglect

Physical signs

  • Abnormal growth including failure to thrive

  • Underweight or obesity

  • Recurrent infection

  • Unkempt, dirty appearance

  • Smelly

  • Inadequate/unwashed clothes

  • Hunger

  • Listlessness

Behavioural signs

  • Attachment disorders

  • Indiscriminate friendliness

  • Poor social relationships

  • Poor concentration

  • Developmental delays

  • Low self-esteem

Radicalisation

Behavioural signs

  • Becoming isolated from family and friends

  • Talking as if from a scripted speech

  • Being unwilling to discuss opinions

  • A hostile attitude towards others

  • Increased levels of anger

  • Increased secretiveness, especially around internet use

Bullying / Cyberbullying

Physical signs

  • Belongings getting lost or damaged

  • Coming home with physical injuries, like unexplained bruises

  • Torn clothes

Behavioural signs

  • Being afraid to go to school

  • Being mysteriously ‘ill’ each morning

  • Skipping school

  • Doing less well at school

  • Being nervous or losing confidence

  • Becoming quiet and withdrawn

  • Asking for or stealing money (to give to bullies)

  • Problems eating or sleeping

  • Bullying other children

FGM (Female Genital Mutilation)

Signs that FGM might happen

  • A special occasion or ceremony is going to take place where a girl ‘becomes a woman’ or is ‘prepared for marriage’

  • A relative or someone known as a ‘cutter’ is visiting from abroad

  • A girl has an unexpected or long absence from school/regular activities

  • A girl runs away – or plans to run away – from home

Behavioural/physical signs that FGM might have taken place

  • Difficulty or discomfort walking, standing or sitting

  • Complaints of pain between legs

  • Spending longer than normal in the bathroom or toilet (due to difficulties urinating)

  • Appearing quiet, anxious, or depressed

  • Trying to get out of physical education or sporting activities

  • Mentioning that someone did something to them that they are not allowed to talk about

  • Reluctant to go to the doctors or have routine medical examinations

  • Asking for help, but possibly avoiding being explicit about the problem because they’re scared or embarrassed

  • Acting differently after an absence (e.g. acting withdrawn or bleeding, discharge, urinary infections, clutching their body)

Responding to concerns

The Beehive Hub recognises that it can be difficult for many reasons to speak up if you think a child is being abused or neglected. However, we expect our members, non-members and volunteers to take action in response to any concerns.

If anyone in the group notices any signs of abuse or neglect in a child, they should take action to report their concern. Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility.

If a child discloses to any adult in the group that they are being abused, the response should be as follows:

  • Always make sure the child speaking up feels they are being listened to and supported

  • Reassure the child they have done the right thing by telling you

  • Emphasise that abuse is never their fault

  • Take time, be patient, and let the child go at their own pace

  • Don’t promise to keep information confidential between you and them. Explain that you need to share the information with someone who will be able to help.

  • Do not talk to the alleged perpetrator about the child’s disclosure, this could make it a lot worse for the child

Immediate actions

(a) Emergency incidents: these are when there’s a life-threatening situation where there’s imminent danger and harm to a child.

  • Immediately contact the emergency services if they haven’t been called already.

  • Make sure the current situation is safe.

(b) Protection and welfare concerns: these are when there are suspicions or disclosures that a child is at current risk of, or is experiencing, abuse or harm.

  • If the child is at immediate risk, call the police.

  • If they are not in immediate danger, but there has been a disclosure from the child, you should make a referral to the local authority safeguarding team within 24 hours (Safeguarding children and young people | Children and Families | Hampshire County Council)

  • If the child is showing signs of abuse as listed above, but there has not been a direct disclosure, you can consult with the NSPCC Helpline (contact details below) or Report via Hampshire County Council as above and be guided by them on any further actions

(c) Allegations concerning staff or volunteers: this is when someone has alleged that staff or volunteers from The Beehive Hub have harmed or abused a child.

(d) Concerns about other organisations: This is a situation where the safeguarding concern is about another organisation, their staff, volunteers or the people they work with.

  • As soon as possible within 24 hours contact the designated safeguarding lead of the organisation in question and pass on your concerns, if this has not already happened.

  • In some circumstances you may decide to follow up with the organisation to confirm they have acted on the issue.

  • If at any point you think the organisation has not acted and someone is at risk, you should contact the local authority safeguarding team yourself.

Confidentiality, Consent and Information Sharing.

Timely information sharing is key to keeping children safe and responding appropriately to concerns about their welfare. In general, The Beehive Hub expects all volunteers, members and Non-members to maintain confidentiality and act in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Parents/carers are normally the first point of contact for any concerns about a child. If there is a disclosure or suspicion of abuse, however, The Beehive Hub will take guidance from the NSPCC Helpline and/or local authority safeguarding team as to whether we should make parents/carers aware of it or whether it should be left to other authorities to speak with the parent/carers.

Whenever The Beehive Hub shares information about a child with any other organisation, we will follow the principles below. We will:

  • Have a clear and legitimate purpose

  • Ensure we are not putting the child at risk by sharing information

  • Be as factual as possible

  • Seek consent. If the child is deemed old and capable enough, consent should come from them. If not, we will ask their parent/carer, unless doing so would put the child at risk of harm. In any situation where consent is refused, but we believe the information needs to be shared in order to protect the child from significant harm or to promote their welfare, we will seek advice from the NSPCC Helpline. If advised, we will share information with the police and/or local authority safeguarding team without consent.

Training.

Any volunteers that help The Beehive Hub are asked to read this Policy.

Emily Foord and Adrienne Higgins both have DBS Checks and Safeguarding Training.

Reviewing this Policy and Procedures.

This policy and its procedures will be reviewed annually and as needed. They were last reviewed and updated on 8/3/2025

Key Contacts.

 Hampshire County Council

 Safeguarding children and young people | Children and Families | Hampshire County Council

You can report any concern you may have yourself via Hampshire County Council Website.

If you would like to know more about Safeguarding you can find more information here too.

Useful Resources.

Department For Education: Safeguarding and child protection - GOV.UK

NSPCC: NSPCC | The UK children's charity | NSPCC

Childline: Childline | Childline

Barnardo’s: Barnardo's | Children's charity | Barnardo's

Men’s Advice Line: Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men | Men's Advice Line UK

Women’s Aid: Home - Women's Aid

Refuge: Refuge, the largest UK domestic abuse organisation for women

Family Action: Family Action: Supporting families at every age and stage of life

Savera: Home - Savera UK (Savera works with black minority ethnic communities to challenge attitudes towards domestic abuse and harmful practices such as forced marriage, honour-based abuse and FGM)

28 Too Many: The FGM/C Research Initiative | FGM/C Research Initiative

Parents Protect: Parents Protect

Lucy Faithfull Foundation: Advice - Lucy Faithfull Foundation (This child protection charity is dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse. They work with victims and their families as well as abusers.)

National Bullying Helpline: Information and advice about all forms of bullying

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection): How can CEOP help me? | young person

Internet Matters: Keep Children Safe Online: Information, advice, support - Internet Matters

Uk Safer Internet Centre: Homepage - UK Safer Internet Centre

Think U Know: CEOP Education (online safety suitable for parents and children from 4 years old)

Page last updated: March 2025