Safeguarding Policy

The True Butterflies Foundation is committed to heightening awareness of domestic abuse and providing guidance for employees/volunteers and management to address the occurrence of domestic abuse and its effects.

 

True Butterflies Foundation intends to make assistance available to employees/volunteers and clients and any other associated persons affected by domestic abuse or any safeguarding concerns. The True Butterflies Foundation will endeavour to aid employees/volunteers and clients and associated persons upon disclosure of any safeguarding issue regardless of the abuse suffered. This assistance may include confidential means for coming forward for help; resource and referral information; special considerations at the workplace for employee safety; work schedule adjustments or leave necessary to obtain medical, counselling, or legal assistance; and workplace relocation (if available). In responding to domestic abuse, True Butterflies will maintain appropriate confidentiality and respect for the rights of the employee/volunteers/ clients involved.

 

Definition

For purposes of this policy, domestic abuse and or any other forms of abuse is defined as:

any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behavior, violence, or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to:

• psychological

• physical

• sexual

• financial

• emotional

Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

 

 

 

Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.” *

This definition, which is not a legal definition, includes so called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, and is clear that victims are not confined to one gender or ethnic group. 

It is also important to remember that most research also suggests that domestic abuse occurs in all sections of society irrespective of gender, race, culture, nationality, religion, sexuality, disability, age, class or educational level.

 

Policy

 

1. Domestic abuse and the workplace

Everyone has the right to a life free from abuse in any form.  Domestic abuse is wholly unacceptable and inexcusable behaviour, and responsibility for domestic abuse lies with the perpetrator. True Butterflies Foundation strives to create a working environment that promotes the view that abuse against people is unacceptable and that such abuse will not be condoned or made the subject of jokes. Employees should also be aware that conduct outside of work could lead to disciplinary action being taken because of its impact on the employment relationship.

2. Child/ vulnerable adult Protection & Welfare Our service has a duty of care to report any child protection and or vulnerable adults with welfare concerns to the Social Work Department. These concerns might arise from a disclosure by True Butterflies Foundation, 15 Walsingham place, Truro, Cornwall: 07927465978: truebutterflies@hotmail.co.uk :  www.truebutterflies.org  service user or through something that we observe  This is not a judgement of a service user, but merely our duty in fulfilling our responsibility.

Options for employees experiencing domestic abuse– If a member of the team disclosed, they were experiencing domestic abuse it would no longer be appropriate for that person to support others while personally finding themselves in a vulnerable situation. However, as an organisation True Butterflies foundation understands we have a duty of care to our team members and as such we would offer the same support, mentoring and guidance as we do to our clients.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Right to privacy

True Butterflies Foundation respects an employee’s/volunteer right to privacy in the event they do not wish to inform the company that they have experienced domestic abuse.

4. Visible resources for those affected by domestic abuse

 

True Butterflies Foundation intends to publish, maintain and post in locations of high visibility, a list of resources for survivors and families of domestic abuse.

 

5. Providing support for employees

 

True Butterflies Foundation intends to make support available to employees involved in domestic abuse.  The organisation will provide support through our managers, HR, trustees, company counsellor etc.

 

This person’s role is to:

 

• be available and approachable to employees experiencing domestic abuse.

• listen, reassure and support individuals.

• keep information confidential (subject to the requirements of child and adult protection)

• respond in a sensitive and non-judgemental manner.

• discuss the specific steps that can be taken to help this person stay safe in the workplace.

• ensure the employee is aware of the options available to them.

• encourage the employee to seek the advice of other relevant agencies.

6. Training managers to identify and respond appropriately

True Butterflies Foundation will develop a programme of training for all (managers / HR) to raise awareness of domestic abuse and understanding of this policy and guidance.

Managers will be trained to:

• identify if an employee is experiencing difficulties.

• provide initial support.

• offer referrals.

• discuss ways to help the person stay safe in the workplace.

 

 

• understand that they are not counsellors. Counselling is to be left to trained professionals and no one should attempt to act in place of a domestic abuse expert or counsellor. The best thing a manager can do is to refer the person to the appropriate domestic abuse resources.

7. Raising awareness in the workplace

True Butterflies Foundation will raise awareness of domestic abuse through the following measures:

• publishing, maintaining and posting in locations of high visibility a list of internal and external resources for survivors and families of domestic abuse (e.g., HR, occupational health, counsellors);

• publicising a statement from (Trustees, directors) communicating the organisation’s position on domestic abuse to all employees.

• publicising and distributing information on the organisation’s policy.

Supporting documents

 

To support this policy, a guide for staff and managers will be developed to provide practical help with addressing domestic abuse in the workplace.

 

Domestic Abuse Operational Procedures

 

1.       INTRODUCTION

          This document sets out the procedures that True Butterflies Foundation will    follow when dealing with cases of domestic abuse involving its service users and people who approach True Butterflies Foundation for advice, assistance, and support.

 

Contact can take place online or by phone. First form of contact will start with questions based through the dash assessment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.         SERVICE STANDARDS

If someone experiencing domestic abuse or any other form of abuse approaches True Butterflies Foundation, they can expect the following response from us.

 

We will take all reports of domestic abuse seriously.

We will provide a sensitive, sympathetic, consistent, and prompt response.

We will establish the safest way to communicate with the person affected by domestic abuse and note this on their file.

We will offer the opportunity to speak to a member of staff who is of the same      gender.

We will conduct interviews in private, online and in a safe place.

We will obtain consent to make referrals to other organisations for support and advice if required.

We will ensure that any information given will remain confidential and will only be given to other organisations (e.g., the Police and Social Services) if the service user gives their written consent or a child or adult is at risk of harm.

 

 We will signpost to other organisations that can provide support and assistance.

         

 We will offer a flexible range of services to assist people to live safely, securely and free of abuse.

We will keep up-to-date records and make appropriate decisions.

 

3.         PROCEDURE

         Identifying domestic abuse and other forms of abuse

          Domestic abuse can present itself in many different forms:

Physical violence - Punching, slapping, hitting, biting, pinching, kicking, pulling hair out, pushing, shoving, burning, strangling.

Sexual violence - Using force, threats, or intimidation to make the victim perform sexual acts, having sex with the victim when they don't want to have sex, any degrading treatment based on the victim’s sexual orientation.

Psychological abuse - Destructive criticism, harassment, stalking, being controlling, verbal abuse, pressure tactics, disrespect, breaking trust, isolation, making threats, denial that the abuse is happening.

Financial abuse - Withholding money, controlling money, not allowing the victim to earn their own money, denying access to financial information.

 

 

 

 

 

4          How to respond to domestic abuse and other forms of abuse

First contact

First experience of contact with our services will be with the management team. We will deal with the initial referral and will assign them to a appropriate mentor.

Your first contact with the client will be online, email or phone. It is essential that the first contact with the mentors is welcoming and non-judgemental.

Initial contact is informative and positive.

Inform the client that you are trained.

All available options are explained clearly at first contact and any possible breaks in confidentiality due to harm to others or themselves are explained. – As much time as necessary to assure comprehension and understanding is allocated.

ENCOURAGING REMINDERS AND CUES

True Butterflies Foundation will provide a one-to-one mentor program to the service user. The mentor will ensure that follow up calls, emails and messaging are carried out as per care/action plan initially agreed between service user and mentor. Mentor will also ensure all contact details for service user are regularly confirmed and updated where appropriate.

The mentor will prepare a care/action plan with the service user, to ensure continuity of care/support and to enable service user to focus on aims and set realistic, achievable goals. The care/action plan will also ensure care/support provided by True Butterflies Foundation throughout their involvement with the service user.

True Butterflies Foundation will ensure the care/action plan will be updated, recorded, and reviewed on a regular basis.

 

 

MAKING SERVICES ACCESSIBLE

Flexible access

True Butterflies Foundation primarily function is support. Access to support can be gained via web browser, email, phone call and social media or one to one.

These are there to encourage and engage service users when convenient for them. To ensure accessibility that is non-location dependant.

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY

True Butterflies Foundation aim to support survivors of domestic abuse and their families in guidance of the equality act and the nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. 

We do have access to interpreters when needed.

REACHING OUT TO SERVICE USERS

True Butterflies Foundation operate outreach services, we use mutually agreed community venues to deliver one to one or group mentorship, support, advice, and training.

          Upon disclosure from a service user:

         

• A consultation would take place, to determined level of support required, safety concerns and safeguarding issues.

• The mentors are the next point of contact to speak to the service user.

• Support/action plans, to be completed and updated throughout contact with the service user. Two copies to be retained, one by the mentor and one on management. Database, usually done by email, any paperwork will need to be stored in the office in the lockable files.

• Any safeguarding issues, will be immediately flagged to management where appropriate services will be contacted (i.e Police, social services, GP)

• signposting/referrals will be made to other specialist services.as and when required.

 

 

 

 

 

            We will keep service users informed about what is happening and any decisions taken.

If worried about a service user but there has been no disclosure:

There may be occasions when disclosure is not given but there are signs that domestic abuse or other abuse of vulnerable adults or of children may be happening. If a member of staff has reason to believe that a service user is the victim of domestic abuse, but disclosure has not been given by them; then it is important not to ignore these concerns. 

         

• Up to date care/action plans are a necessity to keep track of clients care and progress.

• provision of information on local domestic abuse services

• True Butterflies Foundation ensure that information on domestic abuse and how to access local services is readily available on our website and mobile application.

 

If a member of staff is worried about a vulnerable adult or child and has reasonable cause to believe that they are at risk of significant harm, then consideration should be given to referring those concerns to Social Services or the Police in line with True Butterflies Foundation safeguarding procedures. Any concerns need to be alerted to our safeguarding officer.

 

Social services-telephone us on 0300 1234 131

Out of hours- 01208 251300

Multi Agency Referral Unit (MARU) on 0300 123 1116- children and young persons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognition of Abuse

Even for those experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. True Butterflies acknowledges that their staff, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity report any concern they may have about the welfare of a child immediately with the person in charge, as follows:

 

 

It is the responsibility of these people to ensure that appropriate advice is obtained from the local social services department or the NSPCC. If the person in charge is not available, or the concern is about the person in charge, the person in receipt of the information will contact the social services directly.

 

 

organisation’s safeguarding officers

            Nicola Park- nicola@truebutterflies.org

            Amanda Kinver- info@truebutterflies.org

            07927465978

 

 

 

6          Safeguarding responsibilities

          True Butterflies Foundation recognises that we have a responsibility to be proactive, and to refer suspected cases of abuse to Social Services or to local Police. If there are children present in the household, Staff should refer to this document and to the local authority Child Protection Policy to decide on the level of intervention (if any) that may be required.

 

          True Butterflies Foundation Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy defines a vulnerable adult as someone ‘who is 18 or over and needs community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.  Staff should also be aware of the local authority Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy. This Policy details the procedures that must be followed to report a suspicion or allegation of abuse to Social Services or local Police. 

 

7.      Training

          All staff will be required to complete the True Butterflies Foundation, mentoring training program. They are also required to complete safeguarding training level 2 for adults and children. Direct manager to ensure training is completed and signed off prior to commencing duties. Safeguarding training will be renewed yearly. All staff members must have a enhanced DBS check before commencement of work with True Butterflies Foundation.

 

 

8.         Monitoring

          The following information will be recorded and used to monitor the levels of abuse cases presenting to True Butterflies Foundation. Levels of abuse cases, disclosures made and action taken.

• Number of total domestic abuse cases

• Care/ action plans

• Referrals

• Online conversation transcripts

• Written correspondence

• Notes on verbal communication

 

 

 

 

 

9          Review

This procedure will be reviewed on an annual basis in accordance with the date shown on the front page. The purpose of the review is to evaluate the effectiveness of existing working arrangements under the procedure and to make any necessary amendments and updates to these.

 

          The review will be carried out by Trustees.

Rick Smith

Kelly Grigg

Mandy Kinver

 

Document Control

 

Policy Owner:

True Butterflies Foundation

Last Reviewed:

22/10/2025

Next Review:

21/09/2026