The Zen Master Group Safeguarding & Prevent Policy
| Policy Owner: | Alok Shinde |
| Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): | Alok Shinde |
| Date of Implementation: | 10 Jan 2026 |
| Date of Next Review: | 09 Jan 2027 |
1. Aims
The Zen Master Group Ltd is committed to providing an environment where all are respected and can work safely, free from harassment and discrimination.
- We will take reasonable precautions to minimise risk while providing our staffing services.
- We will give due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, aligning with current safeguards to protect staff and the public.
- We are committed to ensuring that all persons, especially those who are vulnerable, are kept safe from harm while they are involved with us.
2. Principles
Safeguarding has a meaning wider than just the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Our policy aims to ensure that all participants, staff, customers, stakeholders, and visitors are safe from extremists, harm, abuse, harassment, and bullying.
This policy is based on the law and statutory guidance applicable in England, including the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, and the Equality Act 2010.
3. Roles and Responsibilities
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Alok Shinde
We have appointed Alok Shinde as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The DSL is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the company’s approach to Safeguarding.
- The DSL maintains safeguarding records and consults the Police, social services, and local safeguarding boards where appropriate.
- The DSL ensures active compliance with this policy by all staff and agency workers, providing them sufficient information to enable them to take appropriate action whilst respecting the confidences of those affected.
All Staff (Internal and Temporary)
In our line of work, staff will inevitably come into contact with the public and other staff members to a greater or lesser degree. Therefore, there is no job role that does not have a direct responsibility for safeguarding.
- All staff have a personal responsibility for safeguarding the welfare of children (under 18s) and adults at risk of harm by protecting them from abuse.
- Staff must complete appropriate training to ensure they are aware of their duties and the processes to follow.
- Staff must remain vigilant. If you observe tensions, friction, or highly charged emotions during an event, you must inform your line manager before using your professional judgment to intervene.
4. Identifying Risks and Abuse
If you have concerns about any person at work (staff, client, event guest, etc.) or if they disclose concerns to you, you must act. Types of abuse/harm include:
- Neglect
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial or material abuse
- Discriminatory abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Self-harm, actual or threatened
Harassment
Harassment can be civil (linked to discrimination) or criminal. Staff have the right to protection from harassment, and clients/guests have the right to complain about harassment.
5. Reporting Procedures
If a risk is identified or a concern is raised:
- Immediate Danger: If there is a clear and immediate danger to any individual, ring 999 and report to the police.
- Report to DSL: If a risk is identified or concern raised, please report the details to Alok Shinde (DSL) immediately.
- Confidentiality: Although any reported incident will be kept confidential, staff cannot and must not promise confidentiality when harm is reported, since the law requires that police and/or social services are told.
- Protection: The person reporting and the person harmed will be protected. It is their legal right to remain anonymous to other staff and the public.
- Record Keeping: The DSL is responsible for evaluating the situation and keeping records of all safeguarding incidents and their resolution in a secure fashion.
6. The ‘Prevent’ Duty (Counter-Terrorism)
Under the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015, we have a duty to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
Our Responsibilities:
- Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threats faced from those who promote it.
- Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support.
- To exemplify British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.
Radicalisation
Staff should be aware of “Radicalisation”—a process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals that reject or undermine the status quo.
7. Recruitment
- Identity Checks: All applicants shall produce proof of identity (preferably passport or photographic driving license) and provide proof of residence.
- Disclosure: Applicants for any role must reveal any relevant conviction, caution, bind-over, probation order, or pending prosecution.
- DBS Checks: If staff work with learners/attendees under the age of 18, they will need to be checked. For agency staff, we reserve the right to sample records of such checks or to perform the checks ourselves.
8. Glossary
- Harm: Should be considered in a wider context than just physical harm (e.g., emotional, sexual, financial, neglect).
- Extremism: An ideology that is far outside the mainstream attitudes of society, including vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values.
- Bullying: Any physical or mental duress which makes a person feel as though they are being forced against their will to act in an inappropriate way or to feel unduly stressed.
Signature of Policy Owner: 
Date: 09/01/2026
The Zen Master Group
info@zenmasters.group
+44 203 4885 789
Alok Shinde