Safeguarding

Our commitment

Everyone who comes into contact with Nextroute — as a participant, partner, volunteer or visitor — has the right to be treated with dignity and to be safe from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

As a new organisation, our safeguarding framework is being formalised alongside our first partnerships. This page describes the standard we hold ourselves to and will be updated as policies are adopted.

What this means in practice

Safer recruitment: anyone working directly with participants on our behalf will be subject to appropriate checks, including DBS checks where the role requires them.

Clear boundaries: one-to-one support happens through agreed, recorded channels — never through personal arrangements participants didn't choose.

Trusted referrals: we only refer people to partners we would be comfortable defending in public, and we tell participants what to expect before any introduction.

Raising a concern

If you have a safeguarding concern about anyone connected to Nextroute, email atifmahmood1982@gmail.com with the subject line 'Safeguarding'. Concerns are treated seriously, handled confidentially, and escalated to the appropriate authority where required.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. If you're struggling with your mental health, contact Samaritans free on 116 123 — Nextroute is not a mental-health or crisis service.