Our commitment to safeguarding
At CBTL, we believe in creating environments where young people not only feel safe but are actively supported to thrive. Our approach to safeguarding is built on structured, relational environments that foster consistency, accountability, and emotional regulation. We go beyond managing behaviour, addressing the underlying stress responses that drive it, through our trauma-informed framework. This includes early identification of risk, clear safeguarding protocols, robust communication with schools and families, and transparent reporting processes. All our work is delivered strictly within UK statutory safeguarding guidelines, with our staff receiving appropriate training, supervision, and working in close partnership with Designated Safeguarding Leads. For us, safety encompasses emotional, physical, and relational well-being. When young people feel regulated and understood, risks naturally reduce, and their capacity for responsibility grows.
Statutory Compliance & Governance
CBTL operates in full alignment with UK safeguarding legislation, including Working Together to Safeguard Childrenand Keeping Children Safe in Education. All programmes are delivered with clear referral pathways, robust risk assessment processes, and active partnership with schools, local authorities, and youth justice services. Safeguarding oversight is embedded at organisational level to ensure accountability, transparency, and continuous review.
Key Safeguarding Standards
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) oversight
• Enhanced DBS-checked staff
• Regular safeguarding supervision
• Formal referral pathways
• Risk assessment protocols
• Incident recording procedures
Frequently asked questions about safeguarding at CBTL
Understanding our commitment to safeguarding is crucial for all our partners. Here, we address key questions about how CBTL ensures the safety and well-being of every young person involved in our programmes, reinforcing our dedication to excellence and statutory compliance.
How does CBTL actively protect young people during programmes?
CBTL actively protects young people through structured supervision, clearly defined behavioural boundaries, and a consistent, supportive adult presence. All our sessions operate within agreed safeguarding policies, robust risk assessments, and established referral pathways, all agreed upon with our partner schools or organisations. Our staff maintain regular, open communication with Designated Safeguarding Leads, meticulously record any concerns, and strictly follow all statutory reporting procedures when required. Young people are supported within small, structured groups where expectations are clear, and effective emotional regulation strategies are both taught and reinforced. This proactive approach significantly reduces the potential for escalation, increases individual accountability, and ensures an immediate and effective response should any safeguarding concerns arise.
Who should I contact at CBTL if I have a safeguarding concern?
If there is an immediate risk of harm to a young person, please contact emergency services (999) first. For safeguarding concerns specifically relating to CBTL programmes, concerns should be reported directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within CBTL or the partner organisation hosting the programme. Concerns can be raised either verbally or in writing and will be thoroughly recorded, risk-assessed, and responded to in strict accordance with UK statutory safeguarding guidance. CBTL rigorously follows local authority safeguarding procedures and works in close partnership with schools, youth justice services, and social care where necessary to ensure all young people are protected effectively.
What makes CBTL's safeguarding approach unique?
CBTL’s safeguarding strength lies in its preventative, trauma-informed foundation. Rather than merely responding when incidents occur, our model actively reduces risk by proactively building emotional regulation, fostering relational stability, and establishing clear behavioural accountability right from the outset. Safeguarding is intrinsically embedded in the very design of our programmes, not treated as a separate, detached policy document. Structured routines, a consistent adult presence, clear boundaries, and continuous reflective practice work together to reduce escalation and significantly increase the early identification of potential risks. Our approach seamlessly combines rigorous statutory compliance with genuine relational depth, ensuring young people are known, carefully monitored, and supported within clear, effective systems. This allows concerns to be identified swiftly and addressed collaboratively with schools, families, and local services.
What training do CBTL staff receive in safeguarding?
All CBTL staff undergo comprehensive, up-to-date safeguarding training in line with UK statutory requirements. This includes specific training on our trauma-informed framework, early identification of risk, reporting procedures, and effective partnership working with Designated Safeguarding Leads and external agencies. Staff receive regular supervision and continuous professional development to ensure they consistently apply best practice and remain current with evolving safeguarding standards.
Partnering for safe and positive futures
Safeguarding and well-being are central to everything CBTL delivers. By supporting safe, structured and relational environments, we help young people stabilise, rebuild confidence and develop positive pathways forward. We welcome collaboration with schools, local authorities and organisations committed to creating safer, more empowering futures for young people.