Safeguarding

The wellbeing of people is the first responsibility of WhatIfI Group. Everyone has the right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be listened to. This page summarises our Safeguarding Policy. The full policy is available to download at the end of this page.

Our approach

Safeguarding is more than responding to incidents. It is about preventing harm and creating an environment where concerns are taken seriously. Our policy rests on three principles:

• Safe by Culture. Safeguarding is built into our values, behaviour, recruitment, governance and everyday practice, not only into procedures.
• Protect through Leadership. Every leader is responsible for creating safe environments and for putting people's welfare before convenience, commercial pressure or reputation.
• Empower through Trust. People are listened to respectfully and can raise concerns knowing they will be taken seriously.

Who and what it covers

The policy applies to WhatIfI Group Ltd and every company in the Group. It covers directors, employees, contractors, consultants, agency workers, volunteers, apprentices and work experience placements. It applies to all our activities, including training, events, expeditions, maritime operations, digital engagement, remote working and customer services.

It protects children and young people, adults at risk, and anyone else whose welfare may be affected by what we do, including customers, partners and members of the public.

What we do

• Safer recruitment. Checks are proportionate to the role and can include identity, employment history, references, criminal record and qualification checks. Offers that need these checks stay conditional until they are complete, and nobody starts regulated activity without the clearances the law requires.
• Risk assessment. Safeguarding is part of planning every activity, including overnight and residential events, remote locations, transport, one-to-one situations and digital communication.
• Professional boundaries. People acting for us keep professional boundaries with those they work with, and communicate with participants only through authorised systems unless other arrangements are formally approved.
• Listening and responding. Every concern is taken seriously. Whoever receives a disclosure listens carefully, stays calm, avoids leading questions, does not promise absolute confidentiality, records what was said accurately and reports it promptly.
• Sharing information. We share safeguarding information where there is a lawful basis and it is necessary to protect someone, and only with those who need it.
• Allegations. Allegations about anyone acting for us are managed fairly and promptly, with the welfare of the person at risk as the first consideration, and the right authorities are told where required.
• Digital safeguarding. Online behaviour is held to the same standards as face-to-face behaviour.
• Partners. Where we work with other organisations, responsibilities are agreed before activities begin, and we cooperate with statutory agencies and regulators.

Who is responsible

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. The Board of Directors holds ultimate accountability, and the Chief Operations Officer owns the policy and keeps it up to date. The Group appoints trained Designated Safeguarding Leads to receive concerns, coordinate responses, keep records and liaise with statutory agencies. Directors, managers, employees, contractors and volunteers each have duties set out in the policy.

Training and review

Everyone receives safeguarding training suited to their role before taking part in activities for us, with refresher training, enhanced training for those in regular contact with children, young people or adults at risk, and extra training for managers and Designated Safeguarding Leads. We review safeguarding performance regularly and learn from every concern, whatever its outcome.

Raising a concern

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

To raise any other safeguarding concern, email enquiries@whatifigroup.co.uk and ask for our Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Policy details

• Reference: WGL-POL-019
• Version 1.0, approved by the Board of Directors and effective from 1 July 2026
• Policy owner: Chief Operations Officer
• Reviewed at least every three years

Download the full policy

WhatIfI Group Safeguarding Policy (PDF, about 5 MB)