Safeguarding and Ethics Policy

Last updated: March 2026

1. Purpose

This policy establishes Tessa Tools Ltd's commitment to safeguarding, ethical practice, and digital safety in all our activities. It applies to both in-person consultancy sessions and the online TESSA Training platform. Our commitment extends to protecting the welfare, rights, and dignity of all users, service users, and participants. This policy is underpinned by values of integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights, particularly in the context of AI ethics in social care.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff, directors, and contractors of Tessa Tools Ltd
• All users of TESSA Training platform
• All participants in Tessa Tools Ltd consultancy services
• All interactions across online platforms and in-person settings

3. Safeguarding Commitment

Tessa Tools Ltd is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of all individuals who come into contact with our services. We recognise that safeguarding is not limited to child protection but includes the protection of all vulnerable adults and children from abuse, exploitation, discrimination, and harm. Our approach is preventative, proportionate, and rooted in respect for individual autonomy and rights.

3.1 Our Commitment

• To create safe environments where individuals feel respected and protected
• To operate transparently and accountably in all matters related to safeguarding
• To take all safeguarding concerns seriously and investigate impartially
• To comply with statutory safeguarding guidance, legislation, and regulatory standards
• To promote a culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility
• To support individuals who have experienced harm or exploitation

4. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

4.1 What to Report

Safeguarding concerns include suspected or actual:

• Child abuse or exploitation (physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect)
• Adult abuse or exploitation (physical, sexual, financial, psychological, or discriminatory)
• Bullying, harassment, or discrimination
• Online safety risks, grooming, or exploitation via digital means
• Professional misconduct with safeguarding implications
• Systemic failures in safeguarding processes

4.2 How to Report

If you have a safeguarding concern, please report it immediately to:

You may also report concerns to your local safeguarding authority, local authority children's services, or local authority adult safeguarding team if you believe there is immediate risk or a statutory duty to report.

4.3 Reporting Principles

• No report will be dismissed or trivialised
• Reports may be made in confidence
• You are protected from victimisation or retaliation for making a good-faith report
• Anonymous reports will be investigated where possible
• Regular feedback will be provided on the outcome of investigations (subject to confidentiality)

5. Ethics in AI and Social Care

TESSA Training places particular emphasis on ethical AI use in social care. Our core ethical principles are:

5.1 Ethical Principles

• Human Dignity: AI must enhance rather than diminish human dignity. Individuals must retain agency and autonomy in decisions affecting their care.
• Justice and Fairness: AI systems must not perpetuate discrimination, bias, or inequality. Benefits and burdens must be distributed equitably.
• Transparency and Accountability: When AI is used in social care decisions, the use must be transparent, explainable, and subject to human accountability.
• Care and Compassion: AI is a tool to support professional relationships, not replace human judgment, empathy, or professional accountability.
• Safety and Security: AI systems must be secure, reliable, and designed to prevent harm to individuals, families, and organisations.
• Competence: Professionals using AI must be trained, competent, and able to explain and justify AI-informed decisions.

5.2 Ethical Use of AI in Training

The TESSA Training platform is designed with ethical principles embedded. Learners are encouraged to critically evaluate AI tools, question assumptions, and consider the ethical implications of AI use before implementation in practice. We do not promote uncritical or widespread adoption of AI but instead encourage reflective, evidence-informed, and ethically grounded practice.

6. Digital Safety and AI Ethics

6.1 Data Protection and Privacy

We maintain high standards of data protection and privacy in line with GDPR and UK Data Protection Act 2018. All personal data, training records, and user information are encrypted and secured. Users' rights to access, correct, and delete their data are fully respected. We do not use training data or user information for purposes beyond those explicitly stated.

6.2 Online Safety

We are committed to maintaining a safe online environment free from abuse, exploitation, and harm. We:

• Monitor platform activity for suspicious behaviour and enforce content policies
• Provide clear reporting mechanisms for abuse or harmful content
• Remove users or content that violates safeguarding standards
• Cooperate with law enforcement where criminal activity is suspected

6.3 AI Ethics in Module Content

All TESSA Training modules include content on ethics, bias, transparency, and safe AI use. Learners engage with real social care scenarios and are prompted to consider:

• When AI use is and is not appropriate in social care
• How to identify and mitigate bias in AI systems
• How to maintain human accountability and professional responsibility
• How to protect vulnerable individuals from AI-related harms
• How to advocate for ethical AI practices in their organisation

7. Confidentiality

We respect confidentiality in all matters, particularly those concerning safeguarding. Information about safeguarding concerns will be shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know, such as investigating officers, safeguarding authorities, or law enforcement. However, confidentiality is not absolute and may be overridden when there is a duty to protect individuals from harm.

8. Learning and Continuous Improvement

We are committed to learning from safeguarding concerns and incidents to strengthen our policies and practices. We:

• Review all safeguarding concerns and incidents to identify improvements
• Provide training and support to staff on safeguarding and ethical practice
• Solicit feedback from users on safeguarding and ethics in our services
• Engage with external expert advisors on safeguarding and AI ethics
• Participate in professional networks and stay current with safeguarding best practice

9. Contact Information

For safeguarding concerns or to report suspected abuse or exploitation, please contact:

• Safeguarding Lead: Nadia Hajat, Director, nadia@tessa-tools.org
• Alternative Contact: compliance@tessa-tools.org
• General Enquiries: hello@tessa-tools.org

If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services (999) or the local authority children's services immediately. If you suspect an adult is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services (999) or the local authority adult safeguarding team.

10. External Resources

Useful safeguarding resources and contacts:

• NSPCC (Child Protection): 0808 800 5000, www.nspcc.org.uk
• Childline: 1111, www.childline.org.uk
• Adult Safeguarding: Contact your local authority adult safeguarding team
• BASW Code of Ethics: www.basw.co.uk
• ICO Data Protection: ico.org.uk