Policy

Safeguarding comes first.

Elev-Eight Life CIC · Company no. 14421870 · Draft v0.1 · October 2026 · Review date: October 2027

Draft for review by a qualified safeguarding adviser and adoption by the board.

1. Why this policy exists

Elev-Eight works with indigenous, tribal and marginalised communities in Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya and Ghana. Our journeys bring families, young people and groups into those communities, and our programmes work directly with children, young people and adults who may be at risk.
Everyone has the right to be safe from harm, abuse, exploitation and neglect. This policy sets out how we protect the people we work with, and how anyone connected to Elev-Eight must behave.

Directors, staff, contractors and volunteers of Elev-Eight Life CIC.
Community partners and local leaders who host or lead Elev-Eight journeys and programmes.
Everyone who travels with us: families, young people, group leaders, partners, creators and photographers.
Agency clients and content teams when they work in or with partner communities.

The welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount, and always comes before the success of a journey, a product or a piece of content.
Communities lead. We respect local culture and law, but no custom or convenience overrides a child's or adult's safety.
Consent is active. People decide what is shared, filmed, photographed and published, and can change their mind.
Everyone has a duty to report a concern. Doing nothing is not an option.
We work in partnership with local authorities, community leaders and specialist organisations, and we follow the law of the UK and of each country we work in.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Genevieve, Founder. Responsible for this policy, training, receiving concerns, keeping records and making referrals.
Deputy Safeguarding Lead: to be appointed by [date].
In-country safeguarding contact: one named person per community, agreed with the community leader before any journey or programme starts.
The board reviews safeguarding at every meeting and reviews this policy every year.

Anyone leading, coordinating or working regularly with children or adults at risk is interviewed, gives two references and, where eligible, completes an enhanced DBS check (UK) or the local police clearance equivalent.
Group leaders bringing their own groups (clubs, schools, coaches, creators) must confirm their own safeguarding policy and checks in writing before booking.
Everyone who travels signs our Code of Conduct before departure.

Never be alone and out of sight with a child who is not your own. Work in pairs or in open view.
No physical punishment, no humiliation, no sexual or suggestive language or behaviour, and no relationships with anyone under 18.
No giving money, gifts or promises directly to individual children or families. Gifts go through the community's agreed route.
No personal social media contact or private messaging with children from partner communities.
No alcohol or drugs while responsible for others, and never offered to young people.
Respect local dress, customs and sacred spaces as guided by your hosts.
Children travelling with their families remain the responsibility of their parent or guardian at all times.

Ask before every photo. Respect a no, from anyone, at any time.
Photos and film of children need the consent of a parent or guardian and the agreement of the community leader, and are only published by Elev-Eight or the community itself.
Never photograph people in distress, undressed, bathing, or in sacred or private moments.
No location tagging that could identify where a child lives. No children's full names next to their images.
Images that show people as helpless or in need for fundraising purposes are not permitted. We show people as they choose to be seen.
Content teams and creators sign a separate content agreement before filming.

Every departure has a written risk assessment, an emergency plan, local medical contacts and a named in-country safeguarding contact.
Group sizes and adult-to-child ratios are agreed in advance and kept to.
Every traveller has a pre-departure briefing covering this policy, local customs and how to report a concern.
Travellers must hold valid travel insurance.

If a child or adult is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services first, then the DSL.
If someone tells you about harm: listen, stay calm, do not promise to keep it secret, do not investigate, and write down what was said in their own words as soon as possible.
Report every concern to the DSL within 24 hours, even if you are unsure. The DSL decides on next steps, including referral to local authorities or UK agencies.
Concerns about the DSL go to the board chair: [name and contact].
Serious incidents are reported to funders and, where required, to the relevant regulator within 48 hours.

Concerns are recorded factually, stored securely and shared only with those who need to know to keep someone safe, in line with UK GDPR.
Records are kept for at least six years, or longer where the law requires.

The DSL completes recognised safeguarding training (for example, NSPCC Learning) and refreshes it every two years.
Staff, coordinators and in-country contacts receive safeguarding training before they start, delivered through the School of Elevation in their own language.
Travellers receive a short briefing before every departure.

This policy is reviewed every year, after any serious incident, or when the law changes. Next review: October 2027.
This is a draft. It should be reviewed by a qualified safeguarding adviser and adopted by the board before publication.

Report a concern: [email protected] · Designated Safeguarding Lead: Genevieve