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Safeguarding Policy for Adults (18+)

Be Well HKers CIC

1. Introduction

Be Well HKers CIC (“the CIC”) is a Community Interest Company established to promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of adult Hong Kong migrants aged 18 and above, particularly those settled in Sutton and surrounding areas under the BN(O) visa route.

Our activities include wellbeing workshops, training, peer support, community events, and partnerships with charities and CICs. While we do not provide regulated care services, we recognise our duty of care to all adults who engage with our activities, particularly those who have migrated, earned settlement-related stress, isolation, or mental health challenges.

The CIC is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment, free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or harm.

2. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to safeguarding adults aged 18 and over, including adults who may be highly vulnerable due to circumstances such as mental distress, disability, illness, social isolation, language barriers, or dependency.

This policy applies to:

  • Directors and officers
  • Volunteers
  • Contractors and facilitators
  • Partner organisations when delivering joint activities
  • All adult service users and participants

3. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • • Protect adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation
  • • Promote dignity, autonomy, and informed choice
  • • Provide clear guidance on recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns
  • • Ensure concerns are reported and addressed appropriately

Be Well HKers CIC believes all adults have the right to live free from harm, to be listened to, and to be treated with respect.

4. Risks to Adults (18+)

Adults may be vulnerable to harm in various forms, including:

  • Physical abuse
  • Psychological or emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse or harassment
  • Financial abuse or manipulation
  • Neglect or self-neglect
  • Coercion, control, or exploitation
  • Modern slavery or trafficking
  • Racism, discrimination, or hate incidents
  • Domestic abuse
  • Online abuse or harassment
  • Self-harm or suicidal ideation

Risk may arise from family members, peers, community members, or external parties.

5. Safeguarding Principles

Be Well HKers CIC follows these core safeguarding principles:

  • Empowerment — supporting informed choices and consent
  • Prevention — taking steps to reduce risk
  • Proportionality — responding appropriately to the level of risk
  • Protection — supporting adults at risk
  • Partnership — working with relevant agencies when required
  • Accountability — ensuring clear roles and responsibilities

All representatives of the CIC must:

  • Remain alert to safeguarding risks
  • Act respectfully and professionally
  • Challenge inappropriate behaviour
  • Report concerns promptly
  • Respect confidentiality, while understanding that safeguarding overrides confidentiality where harm is suspected

6. Safeguarding Officer

All safeguarding concerns should be reported to:

Safeguarding Officer:
Name: Stella Ho
Email: stella.ho@bewellhkers.uk

7. Confidentiality and Data Protection

All safeguarding information will be:

  • Handled sensitively
  • Shared only on a need-to-know basis
  • Stored securely in line with UK GDPR and the CIC's Data Protection Policy

Confidentiality may be breached where there is a risk of serious harm.

8. Responding to a Safeguarding Concern

Immediate risk
If an adult is in immediate danger or at risk of serious harm, call 999 immediately, then notify the Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible.

Non-immediate concerns
Where there is concern but no immediate danger:

  • Report to the Safeguarding Officer as soon as practicable
  • Record the concern factually, without opinion
  • The Safeguarding Officer will assess next steps, including referrals to appropriate services (e.g., Adult Social Care, NHS, police)

When an adult makes a disclosure:

  • Listen calmly and respectfully
  • Do not interrogate or investigate
  • Do not promise confidentiality
  • Explain what will happen next

9. Concerns About Conduct of Staff or Volunteers

Any concern regarding the behaviour of a director, volunteer, or facilitator that may pose a safeguarding risk must be reported to the Safeguarding Officer or another Director.

Possible actions include:

  • Internal review
  • Temporary suspension from activities
  • Referral to statutory authorities
  • DBS referral where legally required

All parties will be treated fairly, with safety as the priority.

10. DBS Checks

DBS checks will be carried out where legally required or appropriate, particularly for:

  • Individuals in positions of trust
  • Those providing one-to-one support
  • Those supporting adults at risk

11. Safeguarding at Events and Activities

For in-person and online activities:

  • Risk assessments will be conducted
  • Clear codes of conduct will apply
  • Participants will be treated with dignity and respect
  • Any concerns will be reported promptly

Physical intervention will only be used as a last resort to prevent immediate harm and must be proportionate.

12. First Aid and Incident Reporting

For onsite events and activities, in the event of any accident, injury, or safeguarding concern involving an adult participant must:

  • Be reported to the nearest first aider (if applicable), and
  • Be formally recorded and reported to the Safeguarding Officer as soon as practicable

The Safeguarding Officer holds overall responsibility for ensuring that all events and activities are planned and delivered in a safe, respectful, and appropriate manner. Where necessary, the Safeguarding Officer may appoint a delegate to support safeguarding responsibilities for specific events or activities.

13. Photography and Media

Photography or recording will:

  • Only takes place with informed consent
  • Respect privacy and dignity
  • Be stored and used in line with the CIC's Photography and Data Protection Policies

Participants may opt out at any time.

14. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside with Data Protection Policy

This Policy is approved and endorsed by Be Well HKers CIC. The Safeguarding Officer will monitor it on a regular basis for compliance and will review it annually. The next review date is November 2026.

15. Review and Approval

Signed: Stella Ho
Director / Safeguarding Officer
Date: 25th November 2025


Safeguarding First Aid
Managing Risks Posed by Other Adults (18+)

All Directors, volunteers, and facilitators working on behalf of Be Well HKers CIC must recognise that adults can experience harm from peers, particularly within group or community settings. This may include bullying, harassment, discrimination, or other inappropriate conduct.

Bullying or harmful behaviour may be defined as behaviour that is:

  • Repeated or persistent; and
  • Intended to cause physical, emotional, psychological, or social harm.

Such behaviour may be motivated by prejudice or power imbalance, including (but not limited to) language ability, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, immigration status, disability, or sexual orientation.

Examples include:

  • Verbal abuse, intimidation, or threats
  • Psychological or emotional harm
  • Discriminatory or racist remarks
  • Online or digital harassment (including messaging platforms)

Responding to Incidents

Any concern or allegation of bullying or harmful behaviour during activities organised by Be Well HKers CIC will be managed as follows:

  1. The individuals involved will be spoken to separately and respectfully to establish facts.
  2. Where appropriate, the individual responsible may receive a clear warning, guidance on expected conduct, and support to change behaviour.
  3. If behaviour persists or is serious, the CIC may:
    • Require the individual to leave the activity
    • Restrict or suspend future participation
    • Take further action in consultation with the Safeguarding Officer

End of Policy