SAFEDUARDING - UNDER 18's

Safeguarding Young People Under 18

At Youth Borough, safeguarding young people is a priority. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all members, particularly those under the age of 18.

This page explains how we protect young people, what standards we expect, and how concerns are handled.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Youth Borough exists to support young people aged 16–25. We recognise that members under 18 may be more vulnerable and require additional protection.

We are committed to:

Keeping young people safe from harm, abuse and exploitation
Providing a positive and respectful community environment
Acting quickly on any safeguarding concerns
Complying with UK safeguarding legislation and best practice

Safe Community Environment

To protect young people, Youth Borough:

Moderates community spaces
Sets clear rules around behaviour and conduct
Does not tolerate bullying, harassment, discrimination or exploitation
Restricts or monitors private messaging where appropriate

Any content or behaviour that puts a young person at risk will be removed.

Clear Community Rules

All members are expected to:

Treat others with respect
Avoid sharing inappropriate, explicit or harmful content
Not request or share personal contact details with under-18s
Not pressure young people into business decisions or financial commitments

Breaches of these rules may result in suspension or permanent removal.

Mentoring and Support Boundaries

Mentoring provided by Youth Borough:

Is focused on general guidance and confidence-building
Does not replace professional, legal or financial advice
Takes place in group settings or monitored environments
Follows clear professional boundaries

We do not allow one-to-one private mentoring with under-18s outside approved platforms.

Reporting Concerns

We encourage anyone who feels unsafe or witnesses concerning behaviour to report it immediately.

You can report concerns by:

Contacting our safeguarding lead
Using in-platform reporting tools
Emailing us directly at: [Insert safeguarding email]

All reports are treated seriously and confidentially.

Responding to Safeguarding Issues

When a safeguarding concern is raised, Youth Borough will:

Take immediate action where necessary
Assess the risk and severity of the concern
Remove harmful content or restrict access
Escalate concerns to appropriate authorities if required

The safety of young people always comes first.

Parental and Guardian Awareness

If you are a parent or guardian of a member under 18:

You are welcome to contact us with any questions
We encourage open communication about online activity
Permission is required for under-18s to join Youth Borough

Continuous Improvement

Safeguarding is an ongoing responsibility. We regularly review:

Community practices
Moderation processes
Feedback from members and partners

We are committed to learning and improving as Youth Borough grows.

For safeguarding questions or concerns, please contact:

Youth Borough Safeguarding Lead
Sandy Gordon
chat@youthborough.co.uk

Youth Borough is committed to building a safe space where young people can grow, learn and build with confidence.