Keeping children safe

The Breathing Space Project is committed to creating spaces where every child feels safe, respected and listened to.

Safeguarding shapes how sessions are designed, how adults behave and how concerns are handled. It is never an afterthought.

Emma Hunter-James, the founder, is the named safeguarding contact for The Breathing Space Project.

• A parent or carer books every child's place and must remain contactable throughout the session.
• Children should join online sessions from a shared family space, with a parent or carer nearby.
• We do not hold one-to-one online sessions with a child unless a parent or carer is present.
• Every activity is invitational. Children may adapt an activity, pause, turn their camera off or step away at any time.
• No child will be singled out or pressured for choosing not to participate.
• Online meeting links are shared privately with booked families and are never posted publicly.
• Waiting rooms, passwords, host approval or similar platform security settings are used where available.
• Private messaging between an adult facilitator and a child is not permitted.
• Parents and carers must provide an emergency contact.
• Children should use their first name or an agreed display name rather than unnecessary identifying information.

Sessions must not be recorded, photographed, screen-captured or shared by participants.

The Breathing Space Project does not record sessions as standard.

If photographs or recordings are ever proposed, families will receive clear information explaining:

• What will be recorded
• Why it is being recorded
• How it will be used
• Where it may be shared
• How long it will be kept

Written parental or legal guardian consent will be obtained where required, and the child's wishes will also be respected.

A child will never be pressured to appear in a photograph or recording.

Anyone working directly with children through The Breathing Space Project must:

When we deliver a programme within a school, community organisation or other setting, we work in accordance with that organisation's safeguarding procedures alongside our own responsibilities.

Before delivery begins, we identify the organisation's Designated Safeguarding Lead, Welfare and Protection Coordinator or equivalent safeguarding contact.

Any concern is reported without delay through the organisation's agreed safeguarding route.

Where the circumstances or applicable law require it, a concern may also be reported directly to the relevant child-protection services, police, Public Prosecutor or emergency services.

If a child tells us something worrying, or we observe something that raises a safeguarding concern, we will:

1. 1Listen calmly and take the child seriously.
2. 2Avoid asking leading or unnecessary questions.
3. 3Not investigate the matter ourselves.
4. 4Explain that we cannot keep information secret when someone may be unsafe.
5. 5Record the child's words and the relevant circumstances as accurately as possible.
6. 6Report the concern without delay through the appropriate safeguarding and statutory channels.

Where we are working within a school or partner organisation, we would normally report immediately to its safeguarding lead or equivalent contact.

This does not prevent us from contacting the relevant child-protection authority, police, Public Prosecutor or emergency services directly where necessary.

Please contact us if you are worried about:

• A child
• Something you have seen or heard during a session
• The conduct of anyone associated with The Breathing Space Project
• A possible breach of professional boundaries
• Any other matter relating to a child's safety or dignity

Urgent safeguarding information is acted upon as soon as it is received.

We aim to acknowledge non-urgent safeguarding enquiries within one working day.

If your concern relates to Emma Hunter-James, or you do not feel comfortable contacting The Breathing Space Project directly, please contact:

• The safeguarding lead at the child's school or organisation
• The relevant local child-protection authority
• The police or emergency services where appropriate

Safeguarding records are kept securely and separately from ordinary enquiry, booking and marketing records.

Information is recorded accurately and shared only with people or authorities who need it to help protect a child, meet a legal responsibility or support an appropriate safeguarding response.

Safeguarding information may need to be retained even where a general request for deletion has been made, where retention is required for legal, safeguarding or child-protection purposes.

Read our Privacy Policy and Our Promise.

Our safeguarding practices are reviewed at least once each year and whenever:

• Our programmes or services change
• We begin working in a new setting or country
• Relevant safeguarding guidance or legal responsibilities change
• A concern, incident or review identifies an improvement that should be made

The Breathing Space Project is operated from Spain by Emma Hunter-James and welcomes families, schools and community partners internationally, including in the United Kingdom.

Safeguarding and reporting arrangements may differ depending on the country and setting in which a child is participating.

We will follow the applicable safeguarding and child-protection requirements for the location and organisation involved.