Safeguarding policy

Our commitment

Every child who joins a Soma Squad has the right to be, and to feel, safe. This policy applies to every session, every dashboard and the Soma App, and to everyone who works with us: facilitators, Squad Leaders, volunteers, guest experts and partners.

At every session

• Every session has at least two Soma adults present. No adult is ever alone with a child.
• No adult can message a child directly, in the app or otherwise.
• Children are introduced to guests and partners by first name only.
• Parents give written consent before we store any detail or share any photo of their child.

Checks on adults

Every facilitator, volunteer and guest expert who meets children provides a Certificate of Good Conduct before their first session, and renews it every 12 months. We track renewal dates on each volunteer’s dashboard and send a reminder 30 days before a certificate expires. A volunteer whose certificate has lapsed can still help with set up, away from the children, until it is renewed.

Every adult who works directly with children also signs our code of conduct and completes safeguarding training before their first session.

Photos and recordings

A child’s photo, voice recording or written story is only stored or shared with a parent’s consent, given separately for each of photos, voice, publishing and being on camera. If a photo would show a child without photo consent, we blur their face before it is published anywhere, including the Mission Log. See our privacy notice for the full detail.

A facilitator reviews everything a child makes, drawings, stories and recordings, before anyone outside the family can see it.

Online safety

In the Soma App, a child can only be reached through Child mode on their parent’s account. Guest experts receive questions chosen by facilitators and never a child’s direct contact details. Questions a supporter or child sends for a live showcase are reviewed before the squad sees them.

If you are worried about a child

For anything else, contact our safeguarding lead at [email protected]. We acknowledge every safeguarding report within one working day.

Reporting and review

Our safeguarding lead reviews every report, keeps a confidential record, and decides what action is needed, which may include involving the relevant authorities. This policy is reviewed every year and after any safeguarding incident. Every change to a child’s consents or safeguarding record is logged with who made it and when.