Safeguarding policy

1. Introduction 

1. This policy relates to Non-Trivial Ventures (“Non-Trivial”). Non-Trivial is committed to proactively safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its beneficiaries and employees, and others working on Non-Trivial’s physical and digital premises, and to take reasonable steps to ensure that anyone who comes into contact with Non-Trivial or Non-Trivial’s funded, promoted, or associated activities does not, as a result, come to any harm.

2. Non-Trivial takes “safeguarding” to mean “the range of measures in place to protect people working in or for Non-Trivial, or those it comes into contact with, from abuse and maltreatment of any kind”.

3. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Non-Trivial believes that everyone it comes into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Non-Trivial will not tolerate abuse and exploitation by Non-Trivial People or Partners.

2. Purpose

1. The purpose of this policy is to protect people, particularly vulnerable adults and children from any harm that may be caused due to their coming into contact with Non-Trivial. In this regard, Non-Trivial acknowledges that there may be Non-Trivial People who are also vulnerable adults.

2. This policy sets out the commitments made by Non-Trivial and informs Non-Trivial People and Partners of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.

3. Scope of this policy

1. For Non-Trivial People

1. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all Non-Trivial People.

2. “Non-Trivial People” means: (i) all people working for Non-Trivial or on its behalf in any capacity; (ii) any person in receipt of funding from Non-Trivial; and (iii) any person working on Non-Trivial’s physical premises or digital estate. For the avoidance of doubt, Non-Trivial People includes but is not limited to employees at all levels, trustees/directors (i.e. those people who are registered at Companies House as a formal director of Non-Trivial), officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives, fellows, researchers and students.

3. Breaches of this policy by Non-Trivial People will be treated seriously and may be a potential cause for disciplinary action (for employees) or termination of the relationship by other means. Breaches by trustees may result in the termination of their trusteeship.
   
   

2. For Partners

1. “Partners” means any organisation which receives funding from Non-Trivial, which collaborates with Non-Trivial to deliver any of its projects or activities, or which is otherwise associated with Non-Trivial’s name and brand. This includes the universities that Non-Trivial works with.

2. Non-Trivial works in collaboration with many Partners. This policy is intended to work alongside the equivalent policies of Non-Trivial’s Partners, where appropriate. Non-Trivial expects that the principles and approaches already shared with Partners mean that they will fully support the values and commitments set out in this policy.

3. Partners, as independent organisations, are ultimately responsible for internally dealing with their own safeguarding concerns. Non-Trivial will ensure that each Partner has appointed a member of staff who will be responsible for promptly reporting to Non-Trivial’s Designated Safeguarding Officer (or, in the event that they are unavailable, another appropriate person) any safeguarding concerns that arise in or are relevant to the context of the partnership and vice versa.

4. Definitions

1. A “child” is anyone under the age of 18.

2. A “vulnerable adult” is any person who is aged 18 years or over who, because of their needs for care and support, is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of or the experience of abuse or neglect.
   Whether a vulnerable adult or not is something which can change with their circumstances and is not fixed. A vulnerable adult may have a mental illness, a learning disability, a physical disability, be frail or be otherwise in need of additional assistance to protect themselves from harm or exploitation, for example, due to social factors such as poverty, displacement or lack of services or support, victim of domestic violence or subject to witness protection. 
   Non-Trivial recognises that there may be some Non-Trivial People who are also vulnerable adults.

5.  Examples of Non-Trivial activities involving children/vulnerable adults and Non-Trivial’s approach to safeguarding

1. The nature of Non-Trivial’s work means that Non-Trivial will rarely be engaged in extensive activities that are focused solely on children/vulnerable adults. However, Non-Trivial People may encounter children/vulnerable adults in a wide range of situations. These include:

(a) colleagues, students and people using Non-Trivial’s digital and/or physical estate may be children/vulnerable adults;

(b) research work, which involves direct physical contact with or access to data on children/vulnerable adults;

(c) work experience students aged under 18 at the time the work experience commences; and

(d) outreach activities with schools and colleges (in Non-Trivial and external).

2. As such, we understand Non-Trivial’s specific safeguarding risks to include, but not be limited to, safeguarding Non-Trivial People (and the staff of Partners where we work with them to deliver activities and projects) and safeguarding in relation to Non-Trivial people.

3. Therefore, Non-Trivial will take reasonable steps to safeguard and protect from abuse Non-Trivial People and those connected with Non-Trivial’s activities and those who come into contact with Non-Trivial.

6. Non-Trivial’s commits to:

1. Taking all reasonable measures to ensure children/vulnerable adults (including Non-Trivial People who fall within this category) impacted by activities which are delivered or supported by Non-Trivial are protected as far as possible from harm, including exploitation, neglect, and abuse of all kinds.

2. Developing a culture of safety within Non-Trivial that creates and maintains protective environments.

3. Keeping safeguarding as a key priority when recruiting, including carrying out DBS checks where this will be relevant to the individual’s role, requesting references, considering gaps in work history, checking qualifications and certifications and, where appropriate, confirming a person’s right to work in the UK.

4. Ensuring that Non-Trivial People fully understand protection issues and follow Non-Trivial’s Safeguarding Code of Conduct.

5. Increasing understanding and raising the awareness of Non-Trivial People of risks relating to safeguarding within Non-Trivial and in connection with Non-Trivial’s activities.

6. Taking appropriate and proportionate action if this policy is not complied with.

7. Maintaining adequate insurance in relation to Non-Trivial’s activities and the people involved, to the extent that this is reasonably available.

8. Carrying out appropriate due diligence on Partners, which may include ensuring they have appropriate controls and safeguarding measures in place, and integrating safeguarding and onward reporting requirements in Non-Trivial’s partnership or funding-related agreements.

9. Ensuring all Non-Trivial People are aware of their responsibilities to report concerns, and the steps they should take to report such concerns.

10. Ensuring that safeguarding concerns are addressed promptly and through the appropriate channels.

11. Reporting safeguarding incidents, allegations or concerns to external authorities and regulators, where appropriate. Non-Trivial will carry out a risk assessment before making such a report, to ensure that this is not likely to cause further harm to the individual(s) to whom harm has (actually, allegedly or potentially) already been caused.

12. Ensuring that this policy remains regularly updated, so that it is clear that it will: report wrongdoing by Non-Trivial People and Partners to the appropriate authorities; share such information as may be necessary to protect individuals from harm; and provide fair and accurate references, which appropriately reflect Non-Trivial’s experience and interaction with Non-Trivial People and Partners.

7. Embedding organisational commitment

1. In order to ensure that it can comply with this policy in practice, Non-Trivial will create or strengthen a range of measures that focus on making sure this policy and its associated procedures are in place, that people feel supported to understand and work within the provisions of this policy, that this policy is fully integrated into all of Non-Trivial’s activities, and that it is subject to update and review.

2. Relevant Non-Trivial staff/senior team members will receive regular training and/or updates on their responsibilities under this policy, and where relevant, it will form part of the induction for new Non-Trivial staff and senior team members.

3. Relevant Non-Trivial staff/senior team members will be expected to acknowledge and accept their responsibilities under this policy. 

8. Risk assessment

1. As noted above, Non-Trivial’s activities do not focus solely on children/vulnerable adults, and so its contact with these groups is very limited. However, Non-Trivial does recognise that it will hold events and undertake activities that are attended by Non-Trivial People who may also be children/vulnerable adults.

2. In order to assess the risks relating to working with children and/or vulnerable adults, and to put in place measures to mitigate any risks which may be identified, Non-Trivial will carry out a Children and Vulnerable Adults Risk Assessment process. Annex 1 contains the details of this process.

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9. Recruitment and DBS Checks

1. If any current Non-Trivial People will be required to work with children/vulnerable adults, Non-Trivial will identify the checks, if any, which should be carried out before this work can commence. 

2. In the event that Non-Trivial needs to engage new Non-Trivial People to carry out work with children/vulnerable adults, Non-Trivial will consider if there are any essential checks it should carry out before the relevant individual can be engaged. 

3. As Non-Trivial’s activities are not focused solely on working with children/vulnerable adults, it is not generally permitted or required by law to undertake Standard or Enhanced DBS checks on Non-Trivial People, though it will assess each role on a case-by-case basis. However, if any Non-Trivial People will have extended contact with children/vulnerable adults, then Non-Trivial will consider whether it should carry out a Basic DBS check.

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10. Reporting and responding to concerns

1. Concerns for the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults could arise in a variety of ways and in a range of situations. 
   For example, a child/vulnerable adult may report or show signs of abuse, someone may hint that a child/vulnerable adult is at risk or that a colleague is an abuser, or someone may witness abuse.

2. A non-exhaustive list of the signs and types of abuse are set out in Annex 2.
   It is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has taken place and Non-Trivial People are not experts at such recognition. However, each person has a responsibility to act if they have any concerns about someone’s behaviour towards a child/vulnerable adult. It is important that the recipient of any complaint or accusation that a child/vulnerable adult has been or is being abused listens carefully without making or implying any judgement as to the truth of the complaint or accusation.

3. The process for raising and reporting a safeguarding concern will differ depending on the nature of the concern. Annex 3 sets out the process for raising a concern relating to alleged abuse of, or harm to, children/vulnerable adults.

1. If any Non-Trivial People have a concern regarding the immediate safety of a child/vulnerable adult, believe them to be at immediate risk of harm or abuse, and/or believe that a criminal offence is taking place, they must take immediate steps to protect the person by making a referral to social services or to the police to prevent harm.
   Where such a referral is made, they should inform Non-Trivial’s Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible following the referral and complete the Report Form at Annex 4 for Non-Trivial’s records. 
   Where the concern happens within, or is connected with, a Partner organisation, the Designated Safeguarding Officer will work with that Partner as appropriate.

2. Where a safeguarding concern has been disclosed or a concern is identified by Non-Trivial People and there is no immediate risk of harm or abuse, they must follow the steps set out in the flow diagram in Annex 3. 
   Typically, this requires the concern to be raised with Non-Trivial’s Designated Safeguarding Officer. 
   Children/vulnerable adults and any other person whom Non-Trivial comes into contact with can also raise a concern directly with the Designated Safeguarding Officer, and this will be communicated clearly by Non-Trivial to those who it works with.

4. Annex 5 sets out information about confidentiality and information sharing in relation to alleged harm to, or abuse of, children/vulnerable adults.

5. For all other safeguarding complaints/concerns not covered by the above, any Non-Trivial People should refer to the Whistleblowing Policy, and raise this with the appropriate team leader. If the individual feels their team leader is conflicted, the individual should submit their concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Officer. All complaints and/or concerns shall be dealt with confidentially, as far as reasonably practicable.

6. For any individuals who are visitors to, or guests of, Non-Trivial, including but not limited to those who are attending events held by Non-Trivial, should raise any complaints with their host, who should be a Non-Trivial employee, or to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.

7. To the extent that the concern relates to one of Non-Trivial’s Partners (e.g. in connection with the Partner’s activities or events), or relates to the Partner’s workplace, Non-Trivial will ensure that those concerns are shared with the relevant Partner, where appropriate.

8. Non-Trivial will also report incidents to other regulatory bodies and government departments, where appropriate. Where there is evidence that criminal activity may have taken place, or concerns have been raised in relation to a child/vulnerable adult, Non-Trivial will report to the relevant police and/or safeguarding authorities as appropriate (for example to the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Adult Safeguarding Board).

9. Decisions to report to external authorities will be fully risk assessed and anonymisation/pseudonymisation considered when necessary. Reporting will not be avoided on the basis that it may harm Non-Trivial’s reputation or give rise to litigation and any concerns in relation to data protection will not act as a barrier to reporting, although they will be carefully considered to ensure that the disclosure is made within the relevant legal framework.

11. Non-Trivial complies with the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation and any applicable laws concerning the processing of data relating to living persons. Please refer to the Data Protection Policy for more details.

12. This Safeguarding Policy should be read alongside the Safeguarding Code of Conduct document.

Role, responsibilities and contact information

1. Non-Trivial’s Trustees have ultimate responsibility for ensuring that Non-Trivial protects all those who come into contact with it from harm. The Trustees have oversight of Non-Trivial’s safeguarding policy and oversee Non-Trivial’s handling of safeguarding reports.

2. Non-Trivial’s Designated Safeguarding Officer is Peter McIntyre, who can be contacted on peter@non-trivial.org. The Designated Safeguarding Officer takes overall responsibility for safeguarding and will promote the importance of safeguarding within Non-Trivial.

3. All Non-Trivial People who work with children/vulnerable adults within Non-Trivial, or as part of Non-Trivial’s activities/projects, should be familiar with this policy. In addition, they must conduct themselves in accordance with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct, which provides guidance on acceptable conduct, in order to protect children/vulnerable adults who come into contact with Non-Trivial.

4. Every individual who becomes aware of any suspicions or allegations regarding harm to children/vulnerable adults is required to report this immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.

5. Non-Trivial will ensure that this policy is at all times available in its internal HR handbook.

6. Non-Trivial is committed to reviewing its policies regularly, and the Board of Trustees will review this policy every three years, or when an incident occurs that highlights a need for change, whichever is earlier.

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Approved by the Board of Trustees: March 2025

Next review date by Board of Trustees: July 2025

Policy owner: Peter McIntyre, Non-Trivial

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Annex 1: Risk Assessment Process for Children and Vulnerable Adults

1. Non-Trivial will initiate a Children and Vulnerable Adults Risk Assessment Process in the following circumstances, in order to assess the risks involved in working with children/vulnerable adults and put in place measures to reduce those risks:

1. The commencement of new activities/events (including internal activities/events) involving, or potentially involving, children/vulnerable adults; and

2. Activities/events involving, or potentially involving, children/vulnerable adults.
   
   Other situations may also trigger the procedure above, if deemed necessary by Non-Trivial.

2. Where there are multiple activities/events of a similar nature, it is unnecessary to complete an individual risk assessment for each of them. Instead, Non-Trivial can complete an overarching assessment for a particular type of activity/event and ensure that it manages the relevant risks appropriately. 

3. Once it has been identified that the risk assessment process should be carried out, the person who is responsible for the relevant recruitment campaign/activity/event must incorporate time to complete this risk assessment within their planning process, and ensure that this is completed.

4. Where no existing risk management procedures exist, a competent person must complete the risk assessment in advance of the relevant activity/event. This is someone who understands the job/activity/event and is aware of the risks. It is important to note that Non-Trivial’s insurance may be invalid if a claim is made and no risk assessment is in place.

5. The purpose of the risk assessment is to enable the responsible person to identify, mitigate and remove any potential risks relating to contact with children/vulnerable adults. This can also be a prompt to consider alternative working practices, such as minimising occasions where an individual is alone with a child/vulnerable adult and considering whether the activity could be supervised or observed by others.

6. Any actions identified as a result of completing the risk assessment must be completed within the timescales specified on the form.

7. The risk assessment should:

1. Identify the nature, length, and frequency of the contact, and if it would be supervised or unsupervised;

2. Consider if there will be children/adults who are particularly at risk;

3. Consider whether any children/vulnerable adults have allergies, are on medication, have any disabilities (physical or mental), or any behavioural difficulties;

4. Identify any potential areas for harm;

5. Evaluate the risks;

6. Determine actions to prevent harm occurring, which might include consideration of alternative working practices, and prompt individuals to ensure that they are implemented;

7. Identify those situations that would require a DBS check.

8. The relevant team within Non-Trivial (or the relevant project which is responsible for the activity/event) should retain completed risk assessments whilst an activity/event is ongoing, and for six years following the activity/event. Where an activity is ongoing but unchanged, Non-Trivial should review the risk assessment on a regular basis, to ensure that the measures which were put in place remain relevant and appropriate.

9. Non-Trivial must complete a risk assessment before providing any work experience placement to children/vulnerable adults. The Non-Trivial Staff Support team will provide advice and support for other Non-Trivial teams on arranging work experience, to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place and that there is compliance with relevant legislation.

10. Non-Trivial teams may be audited from time to time on their historic and/or existing risk assessment, so it is important that these are carried out properly and records are maintained.

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Annex 2: Recognising Signs of Abuse

It can often be difficult to recognise abuse. It is nevertheless important to know what could indicate that abuse is taking place and to be alert to the need to consult further. 

Someone can abuse a child/vulnerable adult by actively inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Abuse can take place within a family, in an institutional, work or community setting, by telephone or on the internet, at events (hosted externally or internally), or when carrying out research. Abuse can be carried out by someone known to the person or by a complete stranger. If you are worried about a child/vulnerable adult it is important that you keep a written record of any physical or behavioural signs and symptoms. In this way you can monitor whether or not a pattern emerges and provide evidence to any investigation if required.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of signs of abuse of children and adults.

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1. Children

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the deliberate infliction of pain, physical harm or injury and includes withholding or misuse of medication.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless, unloved or inadequate or causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not they are aware of what is happening. This may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts or non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter or clothing, failure to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

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2. Adults

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the deliberate infliction of pain, physical harm or injury and includes withholding or misuse of medication.

Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse is any pattern of behaviour by another that results in harm and may include insults, humiliation, ridicule, bullying, threats, enforced isolation, interference in relationships and contact between consenting adults, coercion, lack of privacy or choice, denial of dignity.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse is any sexual activity involving but carried out without the informed consent of a vulnerable adult. Sexual abuse may include sexual intercourse, inappropriate touching, offensive or suggestive language, ‘voyeuristic’ behaviour and exposure to the suggestive or sexually explicit activities of others, including films, photographs, images etc.

Financial or Material Abuse

Financial abuse is the misappropriation of funds (savings or income) or property of a vulnerable adult. This may include exploitation, theft or fraudulent use of money, misuse of property or possessions and incurring financial liabilities on behalf of a vulnerable adult without their informed consent.

Neglect and acts of omission

Neglect may be deliberate or by default where the abuser is not able to provide the care and support needed or may not recognise the need for the care and support to be given. The abuser may also be neglecting themselves.

Discriminatory Abuse

When the vulnerable adult is harassed or discriminated against because of their age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, culture etc.

Self-neglect

Where the adult at risk is neglecting to care for their own personal hygiene, health, or surroundings.

Modern Slavery

Includes forced  labour,  debt  bondage, sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, and domestic servitude.

Domestic Abuse

Includes controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour and/or violence between people who are or have been intimate partners or family members. Abuse can take a variety of forms, not only physical but also psychological, sexual, emotional, social, financial, intimidation and neglect.

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Annex 3: Process for raising a safeguarding concern relating to harm to/abuse of children/vulnerable adults

Concern that a child / vulnerable adult is at risk of being or is likely to be abused

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IF IMMEDIATE RISK OF HARM:

Call 999, and once the emergency is dealt with, contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer for guidance on next steps.

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IF NO IMMEDIATE RISK OF HARM:

‍(a) explain to the individual (if appropriate) that you must pass the information on. 

Seek their consent to do so, but they must be informed that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where there is concern for their safety and /or welfare.

(b) contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer and communicate your concerns with them.

Make a record of what you have heard or observed as soon as possible on a “Report Form”.

The Designated Safeguarding Officer will advise and guide the next steps of action. This may include:

(a) obtaining consent to make a referring/ enlisting suitable agencies if safe and appropriate to do so.

(b) discussion the concern with the parents/carer of the child (where the concern relates to abuse by a parent/carer, or concerns about fabricated/induced illness, it will NOT be discussed with parents/carers first).

If needed, seek advice from the relevant Local Authority safeguarding team 

(the Designated Safeguarding Officer will support you to identify which team to contact).

Complete the Local Authority referral form if required and submit

within 24 hours of making a contact 

(the Designated Safeguarding Officer will support you to identify the relevant form if required)

Ensure that feedback from the Local Authority is received and their response recorded and cooperate with the Local Authority if it decides to pursue further action (you will be supported by the Designated Safeguarding Officer to provide such further cooperation).

Keep the child/ adult/ parent/ carer informed about the process, as and when appropriate.

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Annex 4: Safeguarding Report Form - for incidents relating to concerns of abuse/harm to children/vulnerable adults

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Name:

Date of Incident:

Please write down what happened – what you saw, heard and who was present. For a disclosure, please use the individual’s own words as much as possible. Continue on another sheet of paper if necessary.

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Signed: 

Date of Report:

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Please return this form to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.

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Annex 5: Confidentiality and information sharing in relation to suspected harm to/abuse of a child/vulnerable adult

1. Any disclosure of suspected harm of a child/vulnerable adult should be treated seriously and with sensitivity. Where concerns exist regarding risk to the welfare of a child/vulnerable adult, the safety of the individual takes precedence, and confidentiality may be breached.

2. It should be made clear to the disclosing person and the child/adult involved (if different), that relevant information may need to be shared with appropriate employees at Non-Trivial and where necessary, external safeguarding agencies. Wherever possible, they should be supported from the outset to understand why, what, how and with whom their information will or could be shared. Their consent should always be sought, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so, but it should be made clear that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Whether information is shared with or without the individual's consent, it should be:

1. necessary for the purpose for which it is being shared;

2. shared only with those who need it;

3. accurate and up to date;

4. shared in a timely fashion;

5. shared accurately; and

6. shared securely.

3. The “Five Rs of Safeguarding” - principles on reporting concerns:

1. Recognise concerns that a child or adult is being harmed or might be at risk of harm;

2. Respond appropriately to a child or adult who is telling you what is happening to them;

3. Refer the concerns, following Non-Trivial’s processes;

4. Record the concerns appropriately and any subsequent action taken; ensure there is no delay in passing on concerns;

5. Resolution and escalation – take responsibility to ensure that referrals made are followed up and take further action if not satisfied with the response.

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Annex 6: Safeguarding Code of Conduct

Non-Trivial abides by the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people. When working with children and/or vulnerable adults, all Non-Trivial People must comply with this Safeguarding Code of Conduct. Non-compliance by Non-Trivial People will be treated seriously and may be a potential cause for disciplinary action (for employees) or termination of the relationship by other means. Breaches by trustees may result in the termination of their trusteeship.

1. Consider the wellbeing and safety of children and/or vulnerable adults in advance through proper planning and development of safe methods of working/activities.
2. Wherever possible, work in an open environment with children where they can be seen by others.
3. Avoid unnecessary physical contact.
4. Avoid taking a child or vulnerable adult alone in a car on journeys, however short.
5. Avoid taking a child or vulnerable adult to the toilet, unless another adult is present, or another adult is aware (this may include a parent, group leader or other responsible person).
6. In a situation where you are alone with a child or vulnerable adult, make sure that others can clearly observe you.
7. Set expectations of the standards of behaviour required from any individuals attending an activity/event, and encourage them to accept responsibility for their own performance and behaviour.
8. Ask participants in an activity/event to take reasonable steps to ensure their own safety and that of others, and to report any inappropriate behaviour they experience/witness or any concerns that they may have.
9. Avoid showing favouritism towards particular individuals.
10. Report incidents of alleged abuse to Non-Trivial’s Designated Safeguarding Officer and ensure that any allegations are recorded.
11. Report any concerns about poor practice to the HR team or the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
12. Report any safeguarding incidents to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
13. Avoid personal relationships with a child or vulnerable adult.
14. Avoid entering a physically or emotionally intimate relationship with a young person under the age of 18. Particular attention is drawn to the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which created a new criminal offence of abuse of “a position of trust”.
15. Remember that inappropriate behaviour can also occur over the telephone, email, social media or internet.
16. Only official Non-Trivial social media should be used for engaging with the wider community. Swiftly remove inappropriate or abusive comments, and block/report abusive individuals to the social media concerned. Don’t use Facebook instant chat and other similar functions to interact with children or vulnerable adults. Wherever possible, communication should be only public pages.
17. Do not make suggestive or inappropriate remarks to or about a child or vulnerable adult, even in fun, as this could be misinterpreted.
18. Participate in training available to you to support you in your work with children and vulnerable adults.
19. First aid treatment should be given with more than one adult present unless a delay would be life-threatening.
20. Do not take children or vulnerable adults to your home.
21.  Maintain confidentiality about sensitive information.
22. Where it is necessary for Non-Trivial People to take photographs or video images of children or vulnerable adults, get written consent (from parents/guardians in the case of children) before taking these images in order to comply with the Data Protection Act. Personal details and photos which clearly identify an individual must only be published where their (or their parent/guardian) has given specific agreement. Subjects should be suitably dressed in photographs.

For the purposes of this document, “Non-Trivial People” means: (i) all people working for Non-Trivial or on its behalf in any capacity; (ii) any person in receipt of funding from Non-Trivial; and (iii) any person working on Non-Trivial’s physical premises or digital estate. For the avoidance of doubt, Non-Trivial People includes but is not limited to employees at all levels, trustees/directors (i.e. those people who are registered at Companies House as a formal director of Non-Trivial), officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives, fellows, researchers and students.

Designated Safeguarding Officer: Peter McIntyre

If you feel uncomfortable or think there may be potential harassment, please report it to Non-Trivial through either of the following methods:

• Contacting Non-Trivial’s Safeguarding Lead, by email (peter@non-trivial.org) or by phone (+44 7 383 842 314)
• Submit an anonymous reporting form

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Contacts outside Non-Trivial

• In an emergency, you should immediately call the police or ambulance services in your country.
• A list of children’s helplines, organized by continent and country, can be found here.
• Catherine Low, Groups and Community Health Associate at the Centre For Effective Altruism, and a contact person for the EA Community. You can email her (catherine@centreforeffectivealtruism.org) or contact her anonymously.