WE ARE BLACK FISH CIC
Safeguarding Policy

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Naomi Clarke – comms@weareblackfish.com
Deputy DSL: Alexis Lee – hello@weareblackfish.com

Last reviewed: 13/08/2025
Next review due: 13/08/2026

1. Purpose of this Policy

WE ARE BLACK FISH is a community-led project creating joyful, nourishing spaces for Black and Global Majority people, including families, adults, and children.

We are committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of everyone who participates in our gatherings, with particular attention to children, young people, and adults at risk.

We approach safeguarding through an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and community accountability lens, recognising that statutory safeguarding systems have historically been shaped by racism, classism, ableism, and heteronormativity.

2. Guiding Principles

• Centre Black joy, autonomy, and collective care.

• Recognise safeguarding as a shared responsibility, not just the job of the DSL.

• Take all concerns seriously and act in a timely, proportionate way.

• Create spaces that are inclusive, respectful, and attentive to physical, emotional, cultural, and neurodivergent safety.

• Prioritise dignity, confidentiality, and agency when responding to concerns.

3. Scope of this Policy

This policy applies to:

• All We are Black Fish events, including public events, private workshops, and hook-ups.

• Adults attending events.

• Children attending with a parent or known responsible adult.

• Volunteers, facilitators, and contributors representing Black Fish.
  
  

4. Safeguarding Children

• Children always remain the responsibility of their accompanying adult.

• We do not offer childcare, supervision, or 1:1 support unless arranged in advance.

• Adults supervising children must stay aware of their whereabouts, support their participation, and step in if needed.

• No other adult should assume authority over a child without the explicit agreement of their responsible adult.

• If a child appears distressed, unsafe, or unsupervised, we will find their responsible adult immediately.

5. Safeguarding Adults

We recognise that adults can also experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Adults at risk may include:

• People with care or support needs.

• Disabled adults.

• Older people.

• Those experiencing coercion or control.

Our approach is rooted in consent, capacity, and autonomy:

• We support adults to make their own decisions unless they or others are at immediate risk of serious harm.

• We will involve external agencies only when necessary for safety.

• We avoid unnecessary escalation to statutory services, especially where it may cause further harm to the person involved.

6. What is Abuse?

Abuse is any action that causes harm, whether physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological. It may be deliberate or a result of neglect, and can happen in person or online.

Types of abuse include:

• Physical abuse.

• Emotional abuse.

• Sexual abuse.

• Neglect.

• Domestic abuse.

• Financial abuse.

• Discriminatory abuse.

• Organisational abuse.

• Online abuse.
  
  

7. How to Respond to a Disclosure

If someone shares a safeguarding concern or experience with you:

1. Listen calmly and without judgement.
   
   

2. Believe them and take their account seriously.
   
   

3. Reassure them they were right to tell you.
   
   

4. Explain what you will do next and who you may need to inform.
   
   

5. Record what was said, using their own words where possible, with date/time and your name.
   
   

6. Refer the concern to the DSL or Deputy DSL immediately.

Never:

• Promise complete confidentiality.

• Investigate or ask leading questions.

• Share details with anyone not directly involved in responding.

8. Roles and Responsibilities

All staff and volunteers

• Must read and follow this policy.

• Report safeguarding concerns to the DSL or Deputy DSL.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Naomi Clarke – comms@weareblackfish.com

• Lead on safeguarding concerns and decisions.

• Keep secure written records.

• Liaise with external agencies where needed.

• Ensure annual review of policy.

Deputy DSL – Alexis Lee – hello@weareblackfish.com

• Acts when DSL is unavailable.

9. Whistleblowing

We encourage anyone connected to WE ARE BLACK FISH to raise concerns about unsafe practice, abuse, or organisational failings.

Concerns can be raised with the DSL or Deputy DSL.
If you do not feel safe doing so, you can contact:

• NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line: 0800 028 0285

• Protect: 020 3117 2520

10. Responding to Concerns

If you see or experience something concerning, you can:

• Speak to a Black Fish team member.

• Email the DSL at comms@weareblackfish.com.

We will:

• Listen without judgement.

• Take concerns seriously.

• Act proportionately — from informal check-ins to contacting relevant services if someone is at risk of serious harm.

Key Contacts:

• Kent Integrated Front Door (Children’s Services): 03000 41 11 11

• Out of hours: 03000 41 91 91

• Adult Safeguarding (Kent): 03000 41 61 61

• LADO: 03000 410 888 – lado@kent.gov.uk

• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

• Police: 101 / Emergency: 999

11. Confidentiality and Record-Keeping

• Concerns are shared only on a need-to-know basis.

• Written records are factual, signed/dated, and stored securely.

• Records will be shared with the person concerned on request, unless this would put them or others at risk.

12. Reviewing and Improving

This policy is reviewed annually or after any incident.
We invite community feedback to ensure it stays relevant, culturally safe, and effective.