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Safeguarding Policy

Effective Date: January 2024
Last Review Date: January 2026

1. Purpose

Overcome is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all trainees, staff, volunteers, and contractors involved in training activities.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All staff, trainers, trainees, volunteers, and contractors working under the Overcome name

  • All training, supervision, and assessment activities delivered by the organisation

3. Policy Statement

Overcome is committed to:

  • Providing a psychologically safe learning environment

  • Ensuring training activities do not expose learners to harm or unnecessary distress

  • Supporting trainees who experience distress during training

  • Maintaining clear processes for raising and escalating concerns

4. Safeguarding Risks in Training Contexts

Safeguarding risks within training may include:

  • Emotional distress triggered by training content or role-play exercises

  • Inappropriate disclosure of personal or traumatic experiences

  • Boundary violations between trainees or between trainees and trainers

  • Concerns about a trainee’s wellbeing or safety

5. Safeguarding Responsibilities

Leadership Team

  • Maintain and review safeguarding procedures for training

  • Oversee escalation and resolution of concerns

Trainers / Facilitators

  • Create and maintain a safe and respectful learning environment

  • Provide clear guidance on role-play boundaries (e.g. avoiding personal traumatic material)

  • Monitor trainee wellbeing during sessions

  • Pause or adapt training activities where distress arises

  • Escalate safeguarding concerns in line with organisational procedures

Trainees

  • Engage with training in a way that maintains their own wellbeing and that of others

  • Avoid sharing personal traumatic experiences in group settings

  • Raise concerns about their own or others’ wellbeing with a trainer or the organisation

6. Managing Distress in Training

Where a trainee becomes distressed during training:

  • The trainer may pause or adapt the activity

  • The trainee may take a break or step out of the session

  • Follow-up support or signposting may be provided where appropriate

7. Escalation Procedures

Where a safeguarding concern arises during training:

  • Concerns can be reported to the leadership team

  • Concerns are reviewed and, where appropriate, investigated proportionately

  • Appropriate actions may include additional support, training adjustments, or signposting to external services where necessary

All concerns are handled sensitively and documented securely.

8. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Confidentiality is maintained wherever possible. However, information may be shared where there is a concern about risk of harm, in line with legal and ethical responsibilities.

9. Review

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if required.