Safeguarding

Silver Bird Safeguarding Policy

Silver Bird Consultancy Services Ltd (operating as “Silver Bird Consulting”)

Company Number: 16543539

Registered Address: 82a James Carter Road, Mildenhall, England, IP28 7DE

Email: alexis@silverbirdconsulting.com

Effective Date: 22 October 2026

Policy Statement

Silver Bird Consultancy Services Ltd (“Silver Bird”) takes seriously any concern that someone involved in their work may be at risk of harm, and acts on it promptly. We work with the client organisation in every case, because the client is responsible for its own people and has its own procedures.

Our work on culture and change can bring difficult experiences to the surface, so being ready to respond well is part of delivering it safely.

1. Scope

This policy applies to Silver Bird’s directors and to any associate or subcontractor Silver Bird engages. It covers everyone who takes part in our training, workshops, coaching-style support and consultancy (in person or online).

Our participants are almost always adults at work. If anyone under 18 takes part (for example an apprentice) we follow the client’s safeguarding procedures for young people, as well as this policy.

2. Recognising Concerns

A safeguarding concern arises when something said or seen suggests that a person may be at risk of harm. In our work this could be:

a participant at risk of harming themselves, or in serious emotional distress;

a disclosure of abuse, including domestic abuse, or of harm from someone else;

serious harassment, bullying or discrimination at work;

signs of exploitation, including modern slavery;

a risk that someone may harm others.

3. Responding and Reporting

Immediate danger: if anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.

Listen: stay calm, take the person seriously and let them speak. Do not investigate or promise total confidentiality; explain who you may need to tell, and why.

Tell the client: inform the client’s agreed safeguarding or contract contact the same day, sharing only what is necessary to keep the person safe.

Signpost UK support: for example the client’s employee assistance programme, NHS 111, or Samaritans on 116 123 (free, day or night).

Record: write down the date, what was said or seen, in the person’s own words where possible, and what was done. Keep the record securely, in line with Silver Bird’s data protection policy, and only for as long as needed.

Follow up: check with the client contact that the concern has been picked up, and tell Alexis Assimacopoulos if you are an associate or subcontractor.

4. Safer Working Practice

Confidentiality: ground rules are agreed at the start of every session. Before any coaching-style support, the limits of confidentiality are agreed with the participant and the client.

Online sessions: held in the client’s Microsoft Teams, with controlled invitations and lobby checks; never recorded without the client’s written approval.

Contact with participants: through work channels only, never personal social media.

Checks: where a client requires it, anyone delivering for Silver Bird obtains the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting.

Training: Alexis Assimacopoulos is a qualified Mental Health First Aider, and if necessary both directors will complete safeguarding awareness training when required by a client.

Associates and subcontractors: must meet the same standards, are briefed on this policy and the client’s procedures before they start, and must report any concern straight away.

Speaking up: no one will be treated unfavourably for raising a concern in good faith.

Responsibilities, Review and Approval

Alexis Assimacopoulos, Managing Director, is Silver Bird’s safeguarding lead (alexis@silverbirdconsulting.com, +44 7356 239702). He makes sure concerns are handled under this policy and the client’s procedures, and keeps safeguarding records secure. The directors review this policy every year, and sooner after any safeguarding concern.

Approved by

Alexis Assimacopoulos, Managing Director, for and on behalf of Silver Bird Consultancy Services Ltd

Date approved October 22, 2026

Next review October 22, 2027