The Somatic Project – Safeguarding Policy

The Somatic Project is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all participants, including children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

This Safeguarding Policy outlines our commitment to safeguarding and the principles, responsibilities, and procedures we follow to protect the welfare of those who engage with our programmes, services, and community spaces.

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1. Scope of This Policy

This safeguarding policy applies to:

• The Somatic Project as an organisation;

• Claire Sankey (Founder);

• Any staff, contractors, or volunteers working with or for The Somatic Project;

• Any practitioners, facilitators, or teachers offering sessions, classes, or services that are booked, promoted, or delivered through The Somatic Project platform;

• All participants engaging with our programmes, courses, sessions, or community spaces.

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2. Safeguarding Principles

We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe and to be protected from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

The Somatic Project is committed to:

• Promoting the welfare and wellbeing of all participants;

• Providing environments that are physically and psychologically safe;

• Taking all reasonable steps to prevent harm or abuse;

• Responding appropriately and proportionately to safeguarding concerns.

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3. Responsibility for Safeguarding

The Somatic Project takes safeguarding seriously and recognises its responsibility to act where there are concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a participant.

All staff, practitioners, and facilitators working under The Somatic Project are expected to:

• Act in a way that promotes safety, respect, and dignity;

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries;

• Be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or harm;

• Report safeguarding concerns promptly and appropriately.

Practitioners offering services through The Somatic Project remain responsible for working within the scope of their own professional training, qualifications, insurance, and ethical frameworks.

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4. Training and Awareness

The Founder of The Somatic Project has undertaken safeguarding training and is committed to maintaining awareness of safeguarding responsibilities.

Practitioners working with The Somatic Project are expected to:

• Have appropriate safeguarding knowledge relevant to their role;

• Comply with their own professional safeguarding and ethical obligations;

• Engage with safeguarding guidance provided by The Somatic Project where applicable.

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5. Recognising and Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may arise if there is reason to believe that a participant is experiencing, or is at risk of, harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

If a safeguarding concern is identified:

• Immediate risk to life or safety should be reported to emergency services;

• Concerns should be reported promptly to The Somatic Project via the contact details below;

• Where appropriate, concerns may be referred to relevant local authorities or safeguarding bodies.

The Somatic Project will take concerns seriously and respond in a proportionate and responsible manner.

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6. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

We recognise the importance of confidentiality and privacy.

Information relating to safeguarding concerns will be handled sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.

However, confidentiality may be breached where:

• There is a risk of significant harm;

• Disclosure is required by law;