Purpose and Scope

ROOTS is a short-term, movement-based intervention and alternative provision that supports children and young people to stay on roll, build confidence, and re-engage with education.
The purpose of this policy is:

To protect all children and young people who access ROOTS services from harm.

To provide staff, schools, partners, and families with a clear statement of our safeguarding principles and procedures.

This policy applies to everyone representing ROOTS, including the Founder, staff, personal trainers, volunteers, and any partner professionals.

Our Commitment

At ROOTS, we believe:

The welfare of children is paramount.

• All children and young people, regardless of age, ability, identity, background, or circumstance, have an equal right to protection from harm.

• Trusted, consistent relationships are central to safety, wellbeing, and recovery.

• Working in partnership with schools, families, and safeguarding agencies is essential to keeping children safe.

How We Keep Children Safe

ROOTS will:

• Appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Lewis Schofield - Qualified social worker with extensive safeguarding experience.

• Follow Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023).

• Work in direct partnership with the school’s DSL to ensure concerns are managed and escalated appropriately.

• Ensure all staff and personal trainers hold enhanced DBS checks and complete safeguarding training.

• Create safe, trauma-informed environments in all venues.

• Use a restorative and strengths-based approach to behaviour and relationships.

• Record and store information securely and share it only with relevant professionals.

• Provide clear information to children and families about how to raise concerns.

• Ensure staff understand boundaries, confidentiality, and professional conduct.

Contact Details

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Name: Lewis Schofield
Email: Info@rootsmanchester.co.uk

If you have a concern about a child, contact the ROOTS DSL and the school’s safeguarding lead immediately.

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, dial 999 and ask for the police.

To report any concerns of child abuse to Manchester Children's Services call 0161 234 5001 or email mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or after any significant change in practice or legislation.

Signed: L.Schofield
Name: Lewis Schofield
Role: Designated Safeguarding Lead, ROOTS
Date: 31/10/2025

ROOTS is committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child and young person feels safe, valued, and respected.

We recognise that children come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and we actively celebrate diversity in all its forms.

This statement applies to all ROOTS programmes, staff, partners, and young people.

Our Commitment

At ROOTS, we believe:

• Every child has the right to equal access, opportunity, and respect.

• Difference should be recognised and valued, not treated as a barrier.

• Inclusion strengthens wellbeing, belonging, and educational engagement.

• Discrimination, prejudice, and harassment will never be tolerated.

• We ensure all activities and communications are inclusive and reflective of the young people we serve — including those with SEND, neurodiversity, cultural or linguistic differences, and other additional needs.

How We Promote Inclusion

ROOTS will:

• Design and deliver sessions that are accessible to all pupils, adapting where necessary to meet individual needs.

• Work closely with schools and families to understand a child’s learning, emotional, and physical needs.

• Use trauma-informed practice to remove barriers and build trust.

• Ensure all staff and personal trainers receive ongoing training in equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.

• Actively challenge discrimination and promote understanding and respect among participants.

Working with Pupils with Additional Vulnerabilities

We recognise that children with SEND, those experiencing trauma, or those who have faced discrimination may be more vulnerable to exclusion or exploitation.

ROOTS responds by:

• Building consistent, trusted relationships that foster safety and belonging.

• Using movement and reflection as accessible, non-verbal ways to build confidence and regulation.

• Ensuring individual needs are discussed as part of referral and planning.

Accountability and Review

Responsibility for promoting equality and inclusion sits with the ROOTS Founder and all staff.

This statement will be reviewed annually or following any major change in legislation or organisational structure.

Signed: L.Schofield
Name: Lewis Schofield
Role: Founder / DSL
Date: 31/10/2025

At Roots, we are committed to providing a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all children, young people, staff, and visitors. We recognise our responsibility to prevent accidents and work-related ill health by maintaining safe practices and premises, and by fostering a culture of care and awareness.

We aim to:

• Ensure that all activities are risk-assessed and delivered with appropriate supervision and control measures in place.

• Maintain safe, clean, and well-equipped environments for physical activity and group work.

• Provide staff with the training and information necessary to carry out their roles safely and confidently.

• Respond promptly to any health and safety concerns, incidents, or near-misses, learning from them to strengthen future practice.

• Comply fully with all relevant health and safety legislation and local authority guidance.

Every member of the Roots team has a shared responsibility to take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others, to follow safety procedures, and to report any hazards or concerns immediately.

By embedding health and safety into all aspects of our work, we help create the secure foundations young people need to take positive risks, grow in confidence, and thrive.

At Roots, we believe that every child and young person deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued. Bullying, harassment, discrimination, or targeted unkindness will not be tolerated in any Roots setting or session — whether in person, online, or in the community.

We recognise that many young people we support may have experienced trauma, exclusion, or unsafe relationships. Our approach is therefore restorative, relational and strengths-based — challenging harmful behaviour while helping young people learn, repair and remain connected.

We aim to:

• Create safe, inclusive environments built on kindness and trust.

• Prevent bullying by setting clear expectations and group agreements at the start of each programme.

• Respond promptly, proportionately, and supportively to any incident or report of bullying.

• Ensure young people know who they can talk to and that they will be listened to.

• Work with schools, parents/carers, and partners to resolve concerns and keep young people safe.

What We Mean by Bullying

Bullying is behaviour that is:

• Deliberate (done on purpose),

• Repeated or likely to be repeated,

• Hurtful — physically, verbally, emotionally or online,

• And involves an imbalance of power (age, strength, confidence, group influence, SEND, gender, etc.).

Examples include:

• Name-calling, threats, rumours, or exclusion

• Physical intimidation or violence

• Cyberbullying (via phones, social media or messaging apps)

• Bullying linked to race, culture, faith, gender, disability, sexuality or identity

Any bullying related to a protected characteristic will be treated as discriminatory and managed in line with our safeguarding procedures.

Our Approach

When bullying or persistent negative behaviour occurs, we will:

1. Listen to everyone involved and take concerns seriously.

2. Ensure safety by separating individuals if necessary.

3. Record and review the incident.

4. Respond in a restorative and learning-focused way — never shaming or punitive.

5. Inform the commissioning school or referrer where appropriate.

6. Review whether extra support is needed, including small-group or 1:1 work via our Intensive Engagement (Reconnect) offer.

Persistent or serious bullying may result in temporary removal from a session to protect others — this decision will always involve the referring school or partner agency.

At Roots, we are committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of everyone we work with — including children, young people, parents, professionals, and staff.

We comply fully with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, ensuring that all personal information is handled lawfully, fairly, and transparently.

We only collect, store, and use personal data where it is necessary to:

• Deliver our programmes and services safely and effectively.

• Fulfil our safeguarding, health and safety, and contractual responsibilities.

• Communicate with schools, parents, carers and partners in line with consent and legal obligations.

• Evaluate outcomes, demonstrate impact, and meet funding or reporting requirements.

Our Commitment

Roots will always:

• Collect only the information that is relevant and necessary.

• Keep data secure through password protection, encryption, and restricted access.

• Share data only when there is a lawful basis to do so (e.g. safeguarding, consent, legal obligation, or legitimate interest).

• Retain data for no longer than necessary and dispose of it securely.

• Respond promptly to any data access or deletion requests.

We do not share personal information with third parties for marketing or commercial purposes.

Your Rights

Under the GDPR, individuals have the right to:

• Be informed about how their data is used.

• Access a copy of their personal information.

• Request correction or deletion of inaccurate data.

• Withdraw consent where this is the lawful basis for processing.

• Raise a concern or complaint about how their data is being handled.

Requests or concerns can be made directly to the DSL, Lewis Schofield (contact details below).

Info@rootsmanchester.co.uk.