Safeguarding at Colchester United Community Foundation
At Colchester United Community Foundation (CUCF), safeguarding is not just a policy- it’s a shared responsibility. We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every child, young person, and vulnerable adult who engages with our programmes and services.
Safeguarding can be a complex area, but our approach is designed to make it clear, practical, and accessible to everyone. That’s why we use the Pillars of Safeguarding:
Safe People • Safe Environments • Safe Behaviour
These three pillars serve as the golden thread that runs through everything we do in the Community Foundation. They provide a clear framework for how we recruit, interact, create inclusive and secure spaces, and uphold the highest standards of conduct every day.
We believe that it is always unacceptable for a child or vulnerable adult to experience abuse of any kind. CUCF is fully committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all individuals we work with, including children, young people, adults at risk, their families, and our wider community.
This commitment extends to everyone connected with CUCF - whether full-time or part-time staff, volunteers, trustees, or visitors.
What to Do if You Have a Safeguarding Concern
We are here to listen, take concerns seriously, and act appropriately to protect everyone involved in our programmes.
Whistleblowing and Speaking Up
CUCF is committed to transparency and accountability. We have a Whistleblowing Policy in place to support individuals who wish to raise concerns in good faith about wrongdoing or unsafe practices, without fear of reprisal. Your voice matters, and we encourage a culture of openness.
Share Positive Feedback
Safeguarding is also about promoting a positive culture where people feel safe, supported, and valued. If you’d like to share a positive experience, compliment a member of staff, or provide constructive feedback, we welcome your input via:
yourvoice@colchesterunited.net
Policy and Further Information
CUCF follows the safeguarding principles, legislation, and guidance set out by:
We also actively promote safeguarding within all our partnership arrangements.
For full details on how we safeguard children, young people, and vulnerable adults, please refer to our comprehensive Safeguarding Policy Document.
Safeguarding Policy
Why this matters
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. These three pillars help us make it understandable, actionable, and part of everyday life - across our Community Foundation.
Let’s keep each other safe by keeping these pillars strong.
Ask yourself:
Am I being a Safe Person?
Is this a Safe Environment?
Am I showing Safe Behaviour?
Click on the tiles below to find out more about what this looks like in practice.