Safeguarding

At Orchards, the safety and wellbeing of everyone we work with is of paramount importance. We are committed to creating a safe and caring environment where people are valued, listened to and respected.

All Orchards staff and volunteers receive safeguarding training and are expected to follow our safeguarding procedures. We use safer recruitment practices, including appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

We take all safeguarding concerns seriously and respond promptly and appropriately. Concerns are reported and escalated through our safeguarding procedures, with referrals to relevant external agencies or statutory authorities where necessary.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Jenny Walker, Co-Director. Our Designated Safeguarding Officers are Emma Goulds, Co-Director, Toyosi Akiwumi, Lead Counsellor, and Kat Rasmussen, Lead Support Worker. Our Board-level Designated Safeguarding Lead is Amy Glover, Trustee.

If you have a safeguarding concern relating to Orchards, please contact referrals@orchardsuk.org or one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads or Officers. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please contact the emergency services on 999.

You can read our full Safeguarding Policy for further information.