Our safeguarding statement

POhWER believes everyone regardless of sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion or other diversities has a right to be protected from all forms of harm and abuse, including harassment, bullying, and exploitation.

Safeguarding is a term used in the United Kingdom and Ireland to describe measures to protect the health, well-being and human rights of individuals, which allow people – especially children, young people and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse, harm and neglect.

At POhWER, we’re committed to providing a healthy and safe working environment for our staff and volunteers and committed to safeguarding anyone we engage with through our work and the services we provide. 

To achieve this, we have a robust safeguarding children’s and adults policy, procedures and guidance in place, designed to help protect everyone who are in contact with POhWER and to provide staff and volunteers with the knowledge to support people when being subjected to any form of abuse.

Forms of abuse

Abuse can take many forms and it is important to tell someone if you are being or a risk of being abused:

• Physical
• Self-neglect
• Financial
• Modern Slavery
• Sexual
• Domestic abuse
• Neglect and acts of omission
• Exploitation
• Psychological
• Discrimination
• Organisational (Institutional)

How to get help

For a child or young person

If you’re worried that a child or young person is at risk or is being abused contact the children’s social care team at their local council.

You’ll be asked for your details, but you can choose not to share them.

Call 999 if the child is at immediate risk.

If it’s not an emergency, you can report the crime online or call 101.

Calls to 999 or 101 are free.

Visit Gov.uk for more information and advice.

For an adult 18 or over 

If you are being abused or neglected it is important that you talk to someone. Don’t worry that people won’t believe you or think you are making a fuss.

If you are at risk of immediate harm it is important to tell the police or ask someone you trust to report it for you. 

Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.

If it is not an emergency, you can report the crime online or call 101.

Calls to 999 or 101 are free.

If you are not in immediate risk it is still important to speak to people who you trust as soon as possible about what is happening to you in as much detail as you can manage.

This might be a GP or a Social Worker or someone at your local council.

It might be your advocate or support worker or a charity or voluntary sector organisation.

It is important that you speak to somebody even though it’s really difficult, to talk is the first step to finding a way forward.

Information and organisations that can support you:

• Support for females experiencing domestic abuse
• The Helpline for males experiencing domestic abuse
• Refuge - National Domestic Abuse Helpline
• National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
• Anne Craft Trust: Get safeguarding advice for you, a friend or a relative 
• Enough Campaign - Reporting abuse 
• Enough Campaign – Getting support
• Mind: Guide to support options for abuse
• Information and support for Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Adults
• Information and support to an older person or anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of, experiencing or recovering from any form of abuse or neglect
• NHS - Someone to speak up for you (advocate) - Social care and support guide
• Samaritans (24/7 service) 

If you have concerns about POhWER staff or volunteers

If you have concerns about POhWER staff or volunteers in relation to harm and abuse, it is important that you tell us so we can do something about it and address your concerns. 

If you or someone you know has been abused by a POhWER member of staff please tell us as soon as possible by calling our National Help Hub on 0300 456 2370 or email the Safeguarding, Quality and Risk team: [email protected]

Our phoneline and email are only monitored Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm so if you are at risk of immediate harm please call the police on 999.