Why we have this policy
Loops supports people recovering from cancer treatment through local Health Loops, delivered by trained volunteer Loop Coaches. Some of the people we work with will be physically vulnerable, tired, or going through a hard time emotionally, and some will be adults at risk. Everyone who takes part in Loops has the right to do so safely, free from abuse or neglect. Everyone involved in Loops, whether directors, volunteer Loop Coaches, students, or anyone else acting on our behalf, shares responsibility for making that true.
We follow the six safeguarding principles in the Care Act 2014: empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability. In plain terms, we support people to make their own decisions, we try to prevent harm before it happens, we respond in proportion to the risk, and we are open about what we do and why.
Loops works with adults. If a concern about a child ever arises through our work, we will report it straight away to the BCP Children’s First Response Hub on 01202 123334 (out of hours 01202 738256).
What we mean by an adult at risk
An adult at risk is someone over 18 who has care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and because of their needs cannot protect themselves from it. Abuse takes many forms: physical, emotional, sexual, financial (including scams), neglect, self-neglect, discrimination, domestic abuse and coercive control, and modern slavery. It can be deliberate or unintentional, a one-off or ongoing, and it can come from anyone, including family, other participants, volunteers, or professionals.
We assume every adult can make their own decisions unless there is a good reason to think otherwise. Where someone may lack capacity for a particular decision, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 applies.
How we behave
Everyone acting on behalf of Loops will:
- treat participants with dignity and respect, and support their right to choose for themselves
- work openly: sessions and one-to-one inductions happen in our agreed community venues, not in anyone’s home, and someone always knows where and when a one-to-one is taking place
- keep to the role: Loop Coaches are trained peer supporters, not clinicians or counsellors, and we signpost rather than advise on medical, financial, or legal matters
- never promise to keep a safety concern secret; we explain kindly that we have to share it with the Safeguarding Lead
- never lend, borrow, or accept money or significant gifts from participants
- never begin an intimate relationship with a participant we support through Loops
- report anything that worries us, including worries about another Loop Coach or director, the same day if at all possible
If a Loop Coach ever feels unsafe or uncomfortable, they should end the session and call the Safeguarding Lead.
Staying safe during activity
Loops sessions include gentle physical activity. Everyone completes a health screening survey before joining and has a one-to-one induction where health, treatment, and any restrictions are talked through. Exercise content is designed and overseen by a cancer rehabilitation qualified exercise professional, and Loop Coaches only deliver what is in the programme and their training. Loops is not a clinical service, so participants are always encouraged to talk to their clinical team before starting a new programme of activity. We remind everyone to work within their own limits and to report any new symptoms to their GP or specialist team. Any injury or near miss is recorded and reported to the Safeguarding Lead. In a medical emergency, we call 999.
What to do if you are worried about someone
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Otherwise:
- Listen. Take it seriously. Do not press for details or investigate.
- Reassure them that they were right to tell you, but do not promise secrecy. Explain that you will need to share it to help keep them safe.
- Write it down as soon as you can: what was said or seen, in their words where possible, with the date, time, and place. Facts, not opinions.
- Tell the Safeguarding Lead the same day. If the concern is about the Safeguarding Lead, or she cannot be reached and it is urgent, go straight to BCP Council Adult Social Care on 01202 123654 (evenings and weekends 0300 1239895, email ASCHub@bcpcouncil.gov.uk) or the police. Anyone can make a referral; you do not need permission.
The Safeguarding Lead will decide what happens next. This may mean raising the concern with BCP Council’s adult safeguarding team, contacting the police, letting Wessex Cancer Support’s safeguarding lead know where the person was referred by or is also supported by WCS, and making sure both the participant and the person who raised the concern are supported. Wherever possible we will seek the person’s consent before referring and keep them informed, though we can share without consent if they lack capacity for that decision, if others are at risk, or if a serious crime may have been committed.
If the concern is about a Loop Coach or director, they will step back from participant-facing activity while it is looked into fairly, and we will cooperate fully with any council or police process rather than running our own alongside it.
Records and confidentiality
Safeguarding records are kept securely and separately from general participant records, and are seen only by those who genuinely need to see them. We share information on a need-to-know basis, in line with data protection law, which allows sharing without consent where it is necessary to keep someone safe. Safeguarding records are kept for six years.
How we recruit and look after our volunteer Loop Coaches
Loop Coaches apply and are interviewed; lived experience of cancer is something we value. We take up two references for every Loop Coach. Everyone has an enhanced DBS check before starting one-to-one or regular work with participants, and completes safeguarding training as part of Loop Coach training, refreshed at least every two years. Loop Coaches have regular check-ins, a proper debrief after any difficult session or disclosure, and their expenses reimbursed. Supporting people through recovery carries real emotional weight, and looking after our volunteers is part of safeguarding too.
Keeping this policy alive
The directors review this policy every year, and sooner after any incident, legal change, or change to how Loops works. Anyone with concerns about how Loops itself is operating, including how a safeguarding matter was handled, can raise it with any director, or directly with BCP Council’s safeguarding team.
Useful contacts
- Safeguarding Lead: Venetia Wynter-Blyth, hello@loopshealth.org
- BCP Council Adult Social Care (safeguarding concerns): 01202 123654, evenings and weekends 0300 1239895, email ASCHub@bcpcouncil.gov.uk, or report online via bcpcouncil.gov.uk
- BCP Children’s First Response Hub: 01202 123334, out of hours 01202 738256
- Police: 101 (non-emergency), 999 (emergency)
Version history
| Version | Date | Changed by | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | July 2026 | VWB | Adopted by directors |