SAFEGUARDING POLICY

For: Kaine Stromberg – Developement Coach & Mentor
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: 25/11/25

1. Purpose of this Policy

This Safeguarding Policy outlines how Kaine Stromberg (“the Practitioner”) protects the welfare, rights and safety of all clients, including children and young people aged 11–16 who access online mentoring support.

The Practitioner is committed to:

  • promoting wellbeing, emotional safety and personal development

  • preventing harm, abuse and exploitation

  • acting promptly and appropriately on safeguarding concerns

  • maintaining professional, ethical boundaries at all times

This policy applies to all online sessions, communications and interactions with clients.

2. Legal & Ethical Framework

This policy is guided by UK safeguarding legislation and principles, including:

  • Children Act 1989 & 2004

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023 guidance)

  • Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR)

  • NSPCC Child Protection Standards

Although the Practitioner is not a regulated social worker, therapist or teacher, he follows best-practice safeguarding procedures relevant to coaching, mentoring and online wellbeing work.

3. Definitions

Safeguarding

Protecting a child or vulnerable person’s right to safety, wellbeing and development.

Child

Anyone under the age of 18.

Young Person

Typically 11–16 for the purposes of this policy.

Abuse

Includes physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, coercive control, exploitation, online grooming or exposure to harmful environments.

Disclosure

When a young person reveals information suggesting they or someone else is at risk.

4. Practitioner Responsibilities

The Practitioner will:

✔ Prioritise the welfare and safety of all children and young people
✔ Maintain current Enhanced DBS certification
✔ Maintain relevant insurance for mentoring/coaching minors
✔ Hold Safeguarding Level 1 and Level 2 training
✔ Keep clear professional boundaries at all times
✔ Store notes securely in line with UK GDPR
✔ Respond appropriately to concerns or allegations
✔ Work transparently with parents/guardians
✔ Never engage in clinical therapy, diagnosis or medical intervention

5. Professional Boundaries

The Practitioner agrees to the following at all times:

  • No physical contact (all sessions are online).

  • No private communication with minors outside permitted channels.

  • No mentoring without parental/guardian consent.

  • No meeting a child privately in person for any reason.

  • No adding minors on personal social media accounts.

  • No discussing inappropriate, sexual or adult-themed content.

  • No promising secrecy about safeguarding issues.

6. Online Safety Procedures

All under-16 sessions will follow strict online safeguarding measures:

  • Sessions held via Zoom or another approved platform.

  • Parent/guardian must be present in the room or within hearing distance.

  • The practitioner must be visible at all times.

  • Sessions must not take place from a bedroom (for either party).

  • No recording is permitted unless agreed in writing beforehand.

  • Parent must ensure a safe, interruption-free environment.

7. WORKING WITH CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE (AGES 11–16)

(Dedicated section for your website)

The Practitioner provides online-only mentoring for young people aged 11–16 with direct parental involvement and oversight.

7.1 Role of the Practitioner

The Practitioner offers:

  • emotional intelligence mentoring

  • confidence building

  • wellbeing guidance

  • self-esteem development

  • healthy masculinity support

  • age-appropriate nervous system regulation techniques

The Practitioner does not offer therapy, clinical treatment, counselling or diagnosis.

7.2 Parent/Guardian Requirements

Under-16 mentoring can only proceed when the parent/guardian:

  1. Signs the Parent Consent & Agreement Form

  2. Attends the intake session

  3. Ensures they are present in the home during all mentoring sessions

  4. Agrees to be contactable at all times

  5. Understands the limits of confidentiality

  6. Provides accurate and honest information about the child’s wellbeing

7.3 Session Structure

  • Sessions are 1:1 mentoring with the young person.

  • A parent must be in the room or immediately nearby.

  • Sessions remain strictly age-appropriate.

  • Simple emotional tools, metaphors, and accessible teachings are used.

7.4 Confidentiality (Age-Appropriate)

The Practitioner respects the young person’s privacy where safe, but:

If the child shares information that suggests:

  • risk of harm to themselves

  • risk of harm to another

  • abuse, neglect, coercion or exploitation

  • criminal activity

  • unsafe home environment

…the Practitioner will immediately inform the parent/guardian and/or appropriate authorities in line with safeguarding laws.

7.5 Communication Boundaries

  • All communication with minors occurs through the parent or via approved channels.

  • No texting, WhatsApp, DMs, or private social media interactions.

  • All scheduling and logistics go through the parent.

8. Recognising Abuse

The Practitioner is trained to recognise signs of:

  • Emotional abuse

  • Behavioural distress

  • Neglect

  • Online grooming

  • Coercive control

  • Exposure to domestic abuse

  • Sexual exploitation

He will always act appropriately and in line with safeguarding procedure.

9. Responding to Disclosures

If a child discloses harm, the Practitioner will:

  1. Stay calm and listen without judgement

  2. Reassure the child they have done the right thing

  3. Explain that he must share information to keep them safe

  4. Record the disclosure factually

  5. Report immediately to the parent/guardian

  6. If the parent is the alleged source of harm, contact:

    • NSPCC Helpline (0808 800 5000)

    • Local Authority Safeguarding Team

    • Police (999 if emergency)

The Practitioner will never:

  • promise confidentiality

  • investigate

  • confront alleged abusers

10. Data Protection & Record Keeping

  • Session notes are stored securely and confidentially.

  • Only factual details are recorded.

  • Notes are retained for 7 years in line with insurance requirements.

  • Parents may request access to notes (where lawful).

11. Complaints or Concerns

Parents or young people may raise concerns at any time via:

📧 Email: chat@kainestrombeg.com
📞 Phone: 07450844743

Safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously and responded to within 48 hours.

12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

  • legislation changes

  • safeguarding procedures evolve

  • new services are added