Safeguarding Policy – Codevelo

Last reviewed: January 2026
Next review: January 2027

⸻

1. Policy Statement

Codevelo is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. While Codevelo is not a statutory safeguarding body and does not ordinarily work directly with children, we recognise that our work supporting schools and education professionals may involve interaction with children or discussion of safeguarding-related matters.

Our safeguarding approach is underpinned by the principle that the welfare of the child is paramount, and that safeguarding is a shared responsibility between Codevelo and the organisations we work with. This policy sets out how safeguarding responsibilities are understood, managed, and appropriately escalated.

⸻

2. Scope of this Policy

This safeguarding policy applies to:

• all Codevelo staff, consultants, associates, and contractors
• all services delivered on behalf of Codevelo, including:
• in-school work
• training and consultancy
• supervision and reflective practice
• online learning platforms (including codevelo.cloud)
• written, verbal, and digital communication

Codevelo will primarily operate within the safeguarding framework of the school or organisation we are supporting, while also acting in accordance with our professional duty of care.

Before commencing work, Codevelo will:

• request a copy of the organisation’s safeguarding policy
• confirm reporting routes and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• ensure appropriate checks and requirements are met (e.g. Enhanced DBS, photo ID, safeguarding training)

⸻

3. Legislative and Guidance Framework

This policy is informed by, but not limited to:

• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Children and Families Act 2014
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
• Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)
• UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

⸻

4. Roles, Responsibilities, and Boundaries

4.1 Codevelo’s role

Codevelo:

• is not the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for client organisations
• does not replace or override a school’s safeguarding responsibilities
• does not routinely collect or hold personal data about children

Codevelo’s responsibility is to:

• act professionally and safely within educational environments
• raise safeguarding concerns appropriately
• maintain clear boundaries around information sharing
• escalate concerns when necessary in line with statutory guidance

⸻

4.2 Client organisation responsibilities

Client organisations remain responsible for:

• statutory safeguarding duties
• decision-making relating to children
• maintaining safeguarding records
• data protection relating to children’s personal information

⸻

5. Sharing Information About Children with Codevelo

To reduce safeguarding and data protection risk, child-specific information must not be shared with Codevelo unless absolutely necessary and must always follow the principles below.

5.1 General principle

Codevelo does not require identifiable child-level information in order to deliver training, consultancy, or professional support.

Where discussion of children is necessary, this should be:

• anonymised
• non-identifiable
• framed at a general or thematic level

⸻

5.2 Prohibited information sharing

Unless explicitly agreed in writing and required for safeguarding escalation, the following must not be shared with Codevelo in any format (including email, text message, written notes, online platforms, or training discussions):

• full names of children
• dates of birth
• addresses
• safeguarding records or reports
• medical or social care information
• EHCPs or confidential case files

⸻

5.3 Online learning and digital spaces

Codevelo’s online learning platforms and discussion spaces (including codevelo.cloud) must not be used to share identifiable information about children.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that:

• examples are anonymised
• no child can be identified directly or indirectly
• safeguarding disclosures are not made via discussion forums or messaging tools

Any safeguarding concern must be raised directly with the school’s DSL, not through Codevelo’s platforms.

⸻

5.4 Exceptional circumstances

If identifiable child information is shared with Codevelo unintentionally or due to immediate safeguarding concern:

• Codevelo will not retain the information longer than necessary
• the information will be securely handled
• the concern will be escalated immediately to the school’s DSL or relevant authority

⸻

6. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

6.1 Identification

All Codevelo staff are trained to recognise indicators of:

• abuse and neglect
• emotional, physical, and sexual harm
• radicalisation and extremism

⸻

6.2 Reporting

Where a safeguarding concern arises:

• it will be reported immediately to the school’s DSL
• if the DSL is unavailable, it will be escalated to a senior leader
• Codevelo will follow the school’s safeguarding procedures in the first instance

⸻

6.3 Escalation beyond the school

If:

• a concern cannot be appropriately addressed by the school
• there is a conflict of interest
• or there is immediate risk of harm

Codevelo will escalate the concern to:

• the relevant Local Authority
• the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership
• or emergency services, where appropriate

⸻

7. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Codevelo respects confidentiality and data protection obligations. However, confidentiality will not be maintained where doing so would place a child at risk of harm.

Information will be shared:

• on a need-to-know basis
• proportionately
• in line with safeguarding and data protection law

⸻

8. Training and Awareness

All Codevelo staff and associates will receive safeguarding training, refreshed annually, including:

• recognising abuse and neglect
• responding to disclosures
• safeguarding escalation routes
• Prevent Duty awareness
• professional boundaries and information sharing

⸻

9. Safer Recruitment

Codevelo ensures that all staff and associates engaged in work with schools:

• hold appropriate Enhanced DBS checks
• provide references and qualifications
• are assessed as suitable to work in education contexts

⸻

10. Review and Monitoring

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

• legislation or statutory guidance changes
• the nature of Codevelo’s work changes

⸻

11. Conclusion

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. Codevelo is committed to acting professionally, proportionately, and lawfully to safeguard children while maintaining clear boundaries that protect children, schools, and our organisation.

This policy will be shared with all client organisations and reviewed annually.

Last reviewed: January 2026