Safeguarding Adults & Children | How We Heal CIC – Trauma Recovery & Wellbeing
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
Safeguarding is central to the work of How We Heal CIC. We are committed to providing safe, respectful and trauma-informed services and to responding appropriately whenever we become concerned about the welfare of an adult or child.
Scope of this Policy
This policy applies to: All staff, directors, and volunteers at How We Heal CIC, Participants in our programmes, both in groups and one-to-one sessions,
Partner organisations and contractors working alongside us
Safeguarding Principles
We are guided by the following principles:
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Safety first: We prioritise the physical and emotional safety of all participants.
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Empowerment: Survivors are supported to make choices and have control over their recovery.
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Prevention: We take proactive steps to prevent harm and minimise risks.
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Confidentiality: Information is handled with care and only shared when necessary to protect someone from harm.
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Partnership: We work collaboratively with local safeguarding boards, statutory agencies, and VAWG sector organisations.
Policy information
Policy version: 2.0
Approved: 7 August 2026
Next review: 7 August 2027
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Donna Navarro
Contact: hello@howwehealcic.org.uk
Our Work with Adults and Children
How We Heal provides services for adults aged 18 and over and does not work directly with children. However, a concern about a child may arise indirectly through information shared by an adult participant. Our safeguarding procedures explain how concerns relating to both adults and children will be recognised, recorded, escalated and referred to the appropriate statutory service.
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
If you are concerned about your own safety or the safety of someone engaging with How We Heal, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Donna Navarro
hello@howwehealcic.org.uk
If a concern relates to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, it may be raised with another director of How We Heal or reported directly to the relevant local authority safeguarding service or police.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
For a non-emergency police concern, call 101.
Review of Policy
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required, to ensure it remains up to date with safeguarding legislation and best practice within the VAWG sector.