ABDUL MAGEED EDUCATIONAL TRUST

A registered charity in England and Wales (number 1192825)

Last reviewed  3rd  June 2026

Next review date 3rd June 2027

1. About this policy

1.1 The Abdul Mageed Educational Trust (“AMET” or “the Charity”) has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to protect adults at risk from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harm.

1.2 AMET supports refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals from hard-to-reach communities through workshops, educational activities, community engagement, and related charitable services. In carrying out these activities, AMET Representatives may come into contact with children and adults at risk.

1.3 This policy sets out AMET’s safeguarding principles, responsibilities, and procedures and applies to all AMET Representatives acting on behalf of the Charity.

1.4 AMET recognises that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is committed to creating and maintaining a culture in which all concerns about abuse, harm, neglect, exploitation, radicalisation, or inappropriate behaviour are taken seriously and responded to promptly, fairly, and proportionately.

2. Policy Statement

2.1 AMET is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults at risk who engage with the Charity’s activities or services.

2.2 AMET will:

• provide a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, and trustees; 
• take all reasonable steps to prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, harassment, and harm; 
• ensure safeguarding concerns are responded to promptly, appropriately, and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements; 
• ensure safeguarding responsibilities are clearly understood by all AMET Representatives; 
• ensure safer recruitment and appropriate vetting processes are followed where legally required or otherwise appropriate; 
• support a culture of listening to and respecting children and adults at risk; 
• work in partnership with statutory agencies where safeguarding concerns arise; and 
• comply with Charity Commission safeguarding expectations and reporting obligations. 

2.3 All children and adults at risk will be treated with equal priority regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and AMET’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

3. Definitions

3.1 The following definitions are used in this policy:

• child/children — any person under the age of 18 years. 
• adult at risk — an adult aged 18 years or over who:
  • has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting those needs); and 
  • is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and 
  • as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect or the risk of it. 

This definition reflects the Care Act 2014.

• abuse — includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, financial or material abuse, discriminatory abuse, domestic abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour, modern slavery, exploitation, organisational abuse, online abuse, self-neglect, radicalisation, and abuse motivated by hate or discrimination. 
• AMET Representative — includes trustees, employees, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff, contractors, consultants, students, interns, secondees, and anyone acting on behalf of the Charity. 
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) — Naglaa Sadik Ahmed Mustafa is the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Email: naglaa_sadik09@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile: 07309729920

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Laila Navaid

Email: Laila.navaid@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile: 07392298094

• Safeguarding — the action taken to protect the health, wellbeing, human rights, and safety of children and adults at risk so they can live free from abuse, neglect, and harm. 

4. Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead

4.1 The Designated Safeguarding Lead is responsible for leading safeguarding arrangements within the Charity. This includes:

• maintaining and reviewing this policy and associated safeguarding procedures; 
• ensuring safeguarding concerns are managed appropriately and reported to relevant authorities where necessary; 
• acting as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns; 
• supporting AMET Representatives in responding to safeguarding matters; 
• maintaining secure safeguarding records; 
• ensuring appropriate safeguarding training is delivered; 
• reporting safeguarding matters and risks to the Board of Trustees as appropriate; 
• advising trustees on serious incident reporting obligations to the Charity Commission; 
• liaising with local authority safeguarding teams, the police, DBS, and other agencies where appropriate; and 
• keeping up to date with safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice. 

4.2 Trustees retain ultimate accountability for safeguarding governance within the Charity and must ensure adequate safeguarding oversight, resources, and risk management arrangements are in place.

5. Responsibilities and accountability

5.1 All AMET Representatives must:

• familiarise themselves with this policy and related procedures; 
• complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role; 
• maintain appropriate professional boundaries; 
• treat all individuals with dignity and respect; 
• promptly report safeguarding concerns; 
• cooperate with safeguarding investigations and referrals; and 
• contribute to a culture of safeguarding and accountability. 

5.2 Safeguarding training:

• will be mandatory for all trustees, employees, and volunteers; 
• will form part of induction processes; 
• will be refreshed periodically in accordance with role and risk level; and 
• will be recorded by the Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

5.3 Before delivering activities involving children or adults at risk, AMET will undertake an appropriate written safeguarding risk assessment. This may include:

• supervision arrangements; 
• staffing and volunteer ratios; 
• venue safety; 
• online safeguarding risks; 
• transport arrangements; 
• emergency procedures; 
• accessibility considerations; and 
• communication and consent arrangements. 

5.4 Where activities involve children:

• parental or guardian consent must normally be obtained; 
• emergency contact details must be collected; 
• age-appropriate supervision arrangements must be in place; and 
• children must not be left in unsupervised situations with a single adult unless this is risk assessed and authorised. 

5.5 Employees and volunteers may have different safeguarding responsibilities depending on their role, level of contact, supervision arrangements, and legal status. Volunteers must receive appropriate supervision and must not undertake duties beyond their competence or authorisation.

5.6 AMET Representatives must avoid:

• inappropriate physical contact; 
• private or secretive communication with children or adults at risk; 
• developing exploitative or inappropriate relationships; 
• sharing personal contact details unless authorised; 
• transporting beneficiaries alone unless authorised and risk assessed; and 
• conduct that could be misinterpreted or place themselves or others at risk. 

5.7 All reasonable steps must be taken to ensure no AMET Representative has inappropriate unsupervised access to children or adults at risk.

5.8 This policy will be made available to beneficiaries, families, carers, employees, volunteers, and trustees.

6. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

6.1 AMET will adopt safer recruitment practices appropriate to the role and level of safeguarding risk. This may include:

• application forms; 
• interviews; 
• identity verification; 
• references; 
• role descriptions; 
• safeguarding declarations; and 
• DBS checks where legally permitted or required. 

6.2 Trustees are eligible for enhanced DBS checks where the Charity carries out regulated activity with children or adults at risk or where eligibility criteria are otherwise met.

6.3 Volunteers and employees engaged in regulated activity will be subject to the appropriate level of DBS check in accordance with legislation and Charity Commission guidance.

6.4 AMET recognises its legal duties under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, including the duty to make DBS referrals where required.

6.5 The Charity will periodically review whether its activities constitute regulated activity and will update recruitment and safeguarding procedures accordingly.

7. Raising Concerns

7.1 If a person is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical attention, contact emergency services on 999 immediately.

7.2 All safeguarding concerns, allegations, disclosures, incidents, or suspicions must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible and normally within 24 hours.

7.3 Concerns may involve:

• a child or adult at risk; 
• an AMET Representative; 
• another beneficiary; 
• a trustee; 
• a volunteer; or 
• a third party connected with Charity activities. 

7.4 The Designated Safeguarding Lead will determine whether referral to any of the following is required:

• children’s social care; 
• adult safeguarding services; 
• the police; 
• the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO); 
• the Charity Commission; or 
• the Disclosure and Barring Service 

7.5 A written safeguarding record must be made promptly and include:

• the name and details of the person at risk; 
• the nature of the concern; 
• what was seen, heard, or disclosed; 
• dates, times, and locations; 
• actions taken; 
• the name of the person reporting; and 
• any referral decisions. 

7.6 Safeguarding records will be:

• factual; 
• accurate; 
• signed and dated; 
• stored securely; and 
• retained in accordance with data protection requirements and Charity record retention procedures. 

7.7 Confidentiality will be respected. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis where necessary to safeguard a child or adult at risk or where legally required.

7.8 Consent should normally be sought before making a safeguarding referral involving an adult at risk where it is safe and appropriate to do so. However, consent is not required where:

• a child may be at risk of harm; 
• there is a serious risk to the individual or others; 
• a criminal offence may have occurred; or 
• there is a legal safeguarding duty to share information. 

7.9 AMET will not tolerate retaliation against any person who raises a safeguarding concern in good faith.

8. Legal framework and associated guidance

8.1 This policy is informed by and should be read alongside the following legislation and guidance:

• Children Act 1989 
• Children Act 2004 
• Care Act 2014 
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 
• Equality Act 2010 
• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR 
• Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty guidance where applicable) 
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (where relevant) 
• Charity Commission: Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees 
• Charity Commission: Serious incident reporting guidance 
• Care and Support Statutory Guidance (Care Act 2014) 

9. Reviewing and Amending this Policy

9.1 This policy will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees at least annually and sooner where:

• legislation changes; 
• statutory guidance changes; 
• Charity Commission expectations change; 
• safeguarding incidents indicate improvements are required; or 
• the Charity’s activities or risk profile changes. 

9.2 The Board of Trustees is responsible for approving and overseeing this policy and ensuring appropriate safeguarding governance arrangements remain effective.

This policy was last reviewed on 14 May 2024

NAGLAA SADIK AHMED MUSTAFA

SECRETARY

ABDUL MAGEED EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Appendix 1 – Signs of possible harm or abuse

Signs of physical abuse:

• Any injuries not consistent with the explanation given for them
• Injuries which occur to the body in places which are not normally exposed to falls or games
• Unexplained bruising, marks, or injuries on any part of the body
• Bruises which reflect hand marks or fingertips (from slapping or pinching)
• Cigarette burns
• Bite marks
• Broken bones
• Scalds
• Injuries which have not received medical attention
• Neglect-under nourishment, failure to grow, constant hunger, stealing or gorging food, untreated illnesses, inadequate care
• Repeated urinary infections or unexplained stomach pains

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate physical abuse:

• Fear of parents or carers being approached for an explanation
• Aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts
• Flinching when approached or touched
• Reluctance to get changed – for example, wearing long sleeves in hot weather
• Depression
• Withdrawn behaviour
• Running away from home

Signs of emotional abuse:

• A failure to thrive or grow particularly if a child or vulnerable adult puts on weight in other circumstances, e.g., in hospital or away from the care of their parents/carers
• Sudden speech disorders
• Persistent tiredness
• Development delay, either in terms of physical or emotional progress

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate emotional abuse include:

• Obsessions or phobias
• Sudden under-achievement or lack of concentration
• Inappropriate relationships with peers and/or adults
• Being unable to play
• Attention seeking behaviour
• Fear of making mistakes
• Self-harm
• Fear of parents or carers being approached regarding their behaviour

Signs of sexual abuse:

• Pain or itching in the genital/anal area
• Bruising or bleeding near genital/anal areas
• Sexually transmitted disease
• Vaginal discharge or infection
• Stomach pains
• Discomfort when walking or sitting down
• Pregnancy

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate sexual abuse include:

• Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour e.g., becoming withdrawn or aggressive
• Fear of being left with a specific person or group of people
• Having nightmares
• Running away from home
• Sexual knowledge which is beyond their age or developmental level
• Sexual drawings or language
• Bedwetting
• Eating problems such as over-eating or anorexia
• Self-harm or mutilation, sometimes leading to suicide attempts
• Saying they have secrets they cannot tell anyone about
• Substance or drug abuse
• Suddenly having unexplained sources of money or expensive gifts
• Not being allowed to have friends (particularly in adolescence)
• Acting in an inappropriate sexually explicit way with adults

Signs of neglect:

• Constant hunger, sometimes stealing food from others
• Constantly dirty or smelly
• Loss of weight or being constantly underweight
• Inappropriate dress for the conditions

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate neglect include:

• Complaining of being tired all the time
• Not requesting medical assistance and/or failing to attend appointments
• Having few friends
• Mentioning being left alone or unsupervised

Appendix 2

Westminster Adult Social Services

Email: adultsocialcare@westminster.gov.uk

Telephone: 020 7641 2176 (office hours) or 020 7641 6000 (out-of-hours)

Westminster Children’s Services Team

Telephone: 020 7641 6000