Surivon UK (“we”, “our”, “us”) provides professional interpreting, travel planning, and business support services. By accessing or using our services, you agree to the following Safeguarding Policy.

1. Policy Statement

At Surivon UK, the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe and professional environment across all our services, including interpreting, travel planning, and online consultations.

All individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or health condition, have the right to protection from harm, abuse, and neglect. We are committed to safeguarding practices that prevent harm and ensure the dignity, safety, and well-being of everyone in our care.

2. Purpose

This policy ensures that:

1. All children and vulnerable adults we work with are protected from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
2. Staff, contractors, and subcontractors know their responsibilities regarding safeguarding.
3. Concerns are responded to promptly and effectively, with appropriate referral to statutory authorities when required.

This policy applies to all personnel associated with Surivon UK.

3. Scope

This policy covers:

• Children under 18 years of age.
• Vulnerable adults, including those with learning disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other factors increasing their risk.
• All staff, contractors, and subcontractors working for or on behalf of Surivon UK.

4. Legal Framework

Surivon UK adheres to UK legislation and guidance, including:

• Children Act 1989 & 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• Care Act 2014
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024
• UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018

5. Definitions

• Safeguarding: Protecting health, well-being, and human rights; enabling individuals to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect.
• Abuse: Physical, emotional, sexual, or neglectful harm inflicted on a child or vulnerable adult.
• Poor Practice: Behaviour by staff or contractors that falls short of safeguarding standards and may cause distress or risk.
• Safeguarding Concern: Any information suggesting a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk of harm.
• Safeguarding Allegation: Any report indicating that a staff member, contractor, or associate has caused or may cause harm.

6. Roles & Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): contact@surivonuk.co.uk | +44 7710891694

• Receives and assesses all safeguarding concerns.
• Provides guidance to staff and contractors.
• Liaises with local authorities, social services, and law enforcement when necessary.

All Staff and Contractors

• Must report any safeguarding concerns immediately.
• Attend safeguarding awareness training regularly.
• Ensure services are delivered ethically, professionally, and safely.

7. Safeguarding Procedures

Recognise:

• Be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation (e.g., unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, inappropriate sexual awareness, withdrawal, distress).
• Recognize that a single indicator may not prove abuse but requires careful attention.

Respond:

• Stay calm and listen.
• Do not promise secrecy. Explain that the information may need to be shared to keep the individual safe.
• Ask clarifying questions only and avoid leading questions.
• Reassure the person they are not to blame.
• Protect any evidence if recent harm is involved.

Report:

• Report immediately to the DSL via email or phone.
• If immediate risk exists, contact emergency services (999).
• You may also contact:
  • Local Authority Children Services (https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council)
  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 | help@nspcc.org.uk
  • Local Police (non-emergency): 101

Record:

• Record details promptly and accurately using the Safeguarding Report Form (recommended). Include:
  • Date, time, and location
  • Names of those involved or present
  • Verbatim account of what was said
  • Actions taken
• Avoid personal opinions, sign, and date the record.

8. Confidentiality

• All safeguarding concerns are treated confidentially.
• Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis.
• GDPR and Data Protection law do not prevent sharing information to protect children or vulnerable adults. 

Such information should be kept only by authorised personnel, such as:

1. Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) or Deputy DSLs. 
2. Senior management with safeguarding responsibilities. 
3. Relevant safeguarding officers in local authorities, police, or social services (when legally required). 
4. Regulatory or child protection agencies (e.g., Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Ofsted, Local Safeguarding Partnerships)
5. Fears about sharing information must not stand in the way of protecting children from harm.

Information must be:

1. Stored securely and accessed only by those with a legitimate need
2. Retained only as long as required under Children Act 1989 and 2004, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, and guidance such as Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)

9. Safeguarding in Practice

Interpreting Services:

• Sessions conducted professionally and safely.
• Parental or guardian consent obtained when required.
• Age-appropriate, respectful communication maintained.

Travel Planning & Support Services:

• Risk assessments conducted for vulnerable clients.
• Emergency contacts and safety procedures established.
• Concerns addressed immediately.

Online Services & Digital Safeguarding:

• Secure platforms and data handling per Privacy Policy.
• Children and vulnerable adults protected from inappropriate content as grooming, undue exposure, and identity or age verification, according to UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) digital security guides.

10. Recruitment & Training

• All personnel undergo DBS checks where required.
• References and identity verification completed before engagement.
• Ongoing monitoring and training on safeguarding standards.
• The services provided by Surivon UK (including interpreting and travel planning), do not normally constitute “regulated activity” under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. This is because these roles do not involve:

1. Frequent or intensive unsupervised contact with children,
2. Personal care,
3. Therapeutic or educational instruction,
4. Or any duties that legally fall within regulated activity.

• If, in exceptional circumstances, a particular assignment requires direct, frequent, and unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults, Surivon UK will:

1. Carry out the appropriate DBS Check (Basic, Standard, or Enhanced).
2. Document the assessment explaining whether the role meets the threshold for regulated activity.
3. Implement additional supervision or safeguarding measures where required.

• Surivon UK ensures that DBS checks are requested only when they are legally justified, in accordance with guidance from the UK Government.

11. Safeguarding Report Form

• Surivon UK recommends maintaining a formal safeguarding report form to document concerns.
• Forms include details of the incident, actions taken, and follow-up.
• Forms are stored securely and shared only with the DSL and authorities if necessary. 
• If you have a safeguarding concern, please complete the official Safeguarding Report Form. The form can be found on the Surivon UK website under the “Agreements & Files” menu.  
• Please download the form, fill it out, and contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as soon as possible. Prompt reporting helps ensure that children and vulnerable adults receive support and protection without delay.

12. Commitment to Continuous Improvement

• Safeguarding procedures reviewed annually.
• Training updated regularly.
• Policies revised to reflect UK law and best practices.
• Feedback from clients and staff used to strengthen safeguarding measures.

13. Governing Law 

• “Surivon UK” is the trading name of Mr. Wagner Victor dos Santos Penteado, acting as a self-employed service provider based in the United Kingdom.
• This business shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
• Any dispute rising from any agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Contact Information

• DSL / Safeguarding Contact: contact@surivonuk.co.uk | +44 7710891694
• Social media: Instagram @surivonuk | Facebook & LinkedIn: Surivon UK

Surivon UK

Business Solutions . Travel Planning . Interpreting