Diverse Futures have a deep commitment to Safeguarding and Prevent.
We place our learners at the centre of our approach. Personal safety is fundamental for effective and successful learning. Safety can only be felt in a safe learning environment that promotes wellbeing and security for all learners.
We provide a safe and supportive learning environment and ensure that our employers take H&S, wellbeing and safeguarding seriously throughout the apprenticeship process.
We promote a safe culture throughout the organisation by clearly identifying and communicating safeguarding roles and responsibilities, having clear safeguarding procedures in place and training all staff in those safeguarding procedures.
Meet the Safeguarding Team
Our Safeguarding Team is here to ensure that all learners feel safe, supported, and listened to throughout their time with Diverse Futures.
If you ever have a concern about yourself, someone else, or anything that doesn’t feel right you can speak to us in confidence. We’re here to help.
Claire Hearsey
Designated Safeguarding Lead
chearsey@diversefutures.com
Robyn Brighton
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
rbrighton@diversefutures.com
Ann-Marie Harrop
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
amharrop@diversefutures.com
Safeguarding & Reporting Concerns
At Diverse Futures, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment where learners, staff, and partners can thrive.
Below you’ll find key resources and reporting tools:
Safeguarding, Prevent & Safer Recruitment Policy
Our full policy outlining how we protect learners and promote a safe learning environment, including information about Prevent duties.
Safeguarding Policy
Self-Referral Form
Self-Referral Form
Use this form if you’d like to raise a personal concern or ask for support directly.
Concern About a Learner Form
Concern about Learner Form
For staff, employers, or others to report a concern about a learner’s wellbeing or safety.
Concern About a Staff Member Form
Concern about a Staff Member Form
For raising a concern about the conduct or behaviour of a staff member.
Every report is taken seriously and handled sensitively, with the welfare of individuals as our highest priority.
We follow the 6 R’s framework, a best-practice approach used by safeguarding professionals across education, training, and youth development. These six steps give us a clear and consistent process to prevent harm, respond effectively to concerns, and continually improve our safeguarding practice.
The 6 R’s stand for:
- Recruit – Appointing the right people through safe, thorough recruitment.
- Recognise – Being alert to the early signs of abuse, harm, or neglect.
- Record – Keeping accurate, confidential records of concerns.
- Respond – Acting quickly and sensitively to safeguard individuals.
- Report – Escalating concerns through the right channels.
- Review – Reflecting and improving our safeguarding approach.
By embedding these six principles into our daily practice, we create a culture of vigilance, care, and accountability ensuring that every learner can thrive in a safe environment.
The 6 R’s in Practice
1. Recruit
We are committed to safer recruitment in line with current legislation for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Our Safer Recruitment Policy ensures:
- All applicants undergo rigorous screening, including safeguarding-focused interview questions.
- Pre-employment checks are completed before any staff member starts, including an up-to-date DBS check for anyone with learner contact.
- All recruitment decisions prioritise safeguarding, ensuring that only those who meet our high standards join Diverse Futures.
2. Recognise
We operate a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, harm, or neglect. Every staff member is trained to identify warning signs, which may include:
- Harm – e.g., bullying or harassment.
- Abuse – physical, emotional, or sexual.
- Neglect – failing to meet basic needs.
Training also covers the Prevent strategy, with regular updates on emerging trends, risks, and safeguarding challenges so our team stays alert and informed.
3. Record
Clear, accurate record-keeping is central to effective safeguarding. We ensure:
- Concerns are documented promptly and factually.
- Information is stored securely, accessible only to those who need to know.
- Records are kept in line with legal and organisational requirements, enabling swift and effective follow-up.
4. Respond
When concerns arise, we act with care and sensitivity, always putting the welfare of the individual first.
- Staff listen without judgment.
- Actions are taken in line with policy and legislation.
- The priority is safety, protection, and immediate support.
5. Report
We have clear, accessible reporting pathways:
- Concerns are escalated to our Lead or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officers.
- If needed, these officers liaise directly with relevant external authorities to ensure the concern is addressed quickly and appropriately.
- All staff know the reporting chain and their responsibilities within it.
6. Review
Safeguarding is never static. We commit to:
- Annual policy reviews to ensure our approach is up to date with legislation and best practice.
- Regular meetings between Safeguarding Officers to review cases, identify learning points, and improve procedures.
- Ongoing team updates on safeguarding developments and sector trends.
This approach ensures that safeguarding at Diverse Futures is proactive, responsive, and continually evolving because the safety of our learners and staff will always come first.
I’m a Learner:
Your Safety and Wellbeing Come First
At Diverse Futures, we take safeguarding seriously because you matter.
You’ll take part in monthly sessions that cover real-life topics around safety, wellbeing, and your rights at work and beyond. We’ll help you understand how to look after yourself and others, and how British Values show up in everyday life.
If something doesn’t feel right – at work, at home, or anywhere in between, you can speak to your Skills Coach or contact our Safeguarding Team. They’re trained to help and will always take your concerns seriously.
We’re here to listen, not to judge and you’ll never have to deal with a problem alone.
I’m an Employer:
As an employer, you have a responsibility to safeguard your learners. If you do not have a Safeguarding Policy or someone in your business that is responsible for safeguarding, we will support you to apply our policy or to create and embed your own if required.
Better Together: Your Monthly Newsletter
As a Diverse Futures apprentice, you’ll receive Better Together – our monthly newsletter designed to support you on your journey. Each issue includes practical resources, advice, and insights around safeguarding, wellbeing, and personal development to help you thrive. You will also be given access to the archive of newsletters.
Prioritise Your Wellbeing
Managing work, study, and life can be tough – but you don’t have to do it alone.
Access practical tools, expert workshops, and a full directory of support services to help you manage stress, build resilience, and stay confident throughout your apprenticeship.
