Digital You CIC works with organisations that support people who may be vulnerable because of age, disability, poverty, isolation, ill health or low digital confidence. Safeguarding runs through everything we do, and this page explains our approach and how to raise a concern with us.
Last updated: 7 September 2026
Sharon Sanders, Director, is our Designated Safeguarding Lead. If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of someone connected to our work, contact us by email at info@digitalyou.org.uk or by phone on 0191 716 9565, marking it for the attention of the Safeguarding Lead.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not wait to hear back from us. You can also report a concern about an adult to the adult social care team at the relevant local council, or a concern about a child to that council's children's services, without going through us first.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who engages with our services. We recognise that digital exclusion can itself increase someone's vulnerability to exploitation, scams, financial abuse and misinformation, so safeguarding awareness is built into how we design and deliver programmes rather than treated as a separate exercise.
This applies to our directors, any staff, volunteers, contractors and associates, and to partner organisations delivering activity on our behalf.
Our work is primarily with organisations rather than directly with individuals. Where we support children and families, this is arranged through schools and other organisations, and our role does not involve being alone with any child. Where a piece of work would change that, we assess it before it starts and put the appropriate checks in place.
Safeguarding means protecting people from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm. That includes physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial abuse, neglect, discriminatory abuse, domestic abuse, and modern slavery or exploitation. In a digital inclusion setting it also includes online scams and fraud, coercion through digital communication, and exploitation through digital platforms.
You do not need to be certain that something is wrong before you tell us. It is our job to look into it.
When someone tells us about a concern we will listen, take it seriously, and write down what we have been told as accurately as we can. We will not promise to keep a disclosure confidential, because there are situations where we have to pass information on to protect someone. Where we can, we will tell the person what we are doing and why.
Concerns are reported to the Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible and recorded with the date, the people involved, what was said or seen, and what action was taken. Records are stored securely and access is restricted.
We may share information with relevant authorities where that is necessary to protect someone from harm. Those decisions weigh up confidentiality, our safeguarding obligations and what the law requires of us.
Much of our delivery happens through partner organisations. Where a concern arises in that setting, both organisations' procedures may apply and the partner's safeguarding lead may be involved in the response.
Where an allegation is made about someone working with or for us, the Director reviews it, safeguarding authorities may be notified, and the person may be stood down from activity while it is looked into.
We use safer recruitment practices when engaging staff, volunteers and associates, including identity verification, references where appropriate, and DBS checks proportionate to the role. Where we work through a host organisation we may rely on evidence of that organisation's own checks. Staff and volunteers receive guidance on recognising concerns, responding to disclosures, and the safeguarding risks specific to digital inclusion work.
Safeguarding records are normally kept for six years, in line with the limitation period for civil claims.
This page is a summary. Our full Safeguarding Policy sits within the Digital You CIC Governance and Policy Handbook and is available to partners, commissioners and funders on request.
Digital You CIC
Email: info@digitalyou.org.uk
Phone: 0191 716 9565
Registered office: Collingwood Buildings, 38 Collingwood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1JF. This is our registered office address only. We work remotely and on the premises of the organisations we support, so please contact us by email or phone rather than calling in.
Digital You CIC is a Community Interest Company registered in England and Wales, company number 17070364.
These are the policies our team works to. Both are version 1.0, dated 1 June 2026, and are reviewed annually and after any statutory change.
