Skills Shape Safeguarding Statement

Last updated: 1st June 2026
Next review date: 1st June 2026
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Paul Baxter
Safeguarding contact email: [paul@skillsshape.co.uk
Safeguarding contact telephone: 07713500401

Our Commitment

Skills Shape is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and rights of every person who uses our services.

We provide employability, confidence, progression and independence support to young people and adults. We recognise that some people may be children, young people, adults at risk, or may need additional support to feel safe and able to take part.

We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity, respect and care, free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, bullying or harm.

What Safeguarding Means at Skills Shape

Safeguarding means taking practical steps to:

• Protect children, young people and adults at risk from harm.

• Promote wellbeing, inclusion and positive participation.

• Create safe professional boundaries in coaching, workshops and online sessions.

• Listen carefully when someone raises a concern.

• Respond appropriately, record concerns and seek support where needed.

• Share information with relevant agencies where there is a safeguarding concern, legal duty or immediate risk of harm.

Our Approach

Skills Shape aims to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment by:

• Using safer recruitment, DBS and reference-checking processes where appropriate to the role.

• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

• Using clear expectations for online and in-person sessions.

• Taking concerns, disclosures and allegations seriously.

• Keeping safeguarding information confidential where possible, while explaining that information may need to be shared to protect someone from harm.

• Completing safeguarding training and keeping procedures under review.

• Providing accessible, person-centred support which respects different backgrounds, identities and needs.

• Working with parents, carers, referrers, organisations and statutory services where appropriate and lawful.

Reporting a Concern

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, young person or adult involved with Skills Shape, please contact:

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Paul
Email: paul@skillsshape.co.uk
Telephone: 07713500401

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

If you are concerned about a child and need advice outside an emergency, contact your local authority children’s social care team or the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.

If you are concerned about an adult at risk, contact your local authority adult social care safeguarding team.

Our Promise

We will always aim to act promptly, respectfully and in the best interests of the individual, while following appropriate safeguarding procedures.

Skills Shape is committed to building confidence, shaping futures and creating safe spaces for progression.