Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Last updated: 30 September 2026

The Wellness Education is a trading name of NB. The Wellness Consultant, company number 11178871, registered office Norwood House, South Kilvington, North Yorkshire, YO7 2NF. References to "The Wellness Education" throughout this policy refer to this entity.

1. Statement of Intent & Scope

Our Commitment

The Wellness Education has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of child abuse, discrimination, or neglect. The welfare of every child we work with is our first priority, and it overrides all other considerations, including our relationship with a school or family, commercial concerns, or convenience. Every child, whatever their age, gender, ability, ethnicity, religion, or background, has an equal right to protection from harm.

Scope

This policy applies to everyone working on behalf of The Wellness Education, including Natasha Banks as founder and lead coach, and any freelance coaches, subcontractors, or administrative support engaged now or in future. It covers all children and young people we work with, defined as anyone under the age of 18, whether in a school setting or through one-to-one family coaching.

Legal Framework

This policy has been developed with regard to:

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026)

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026, the statutory guidance that applies when we deliver sessions on school premises, and which we follow alongside each school's own safeguarding policy and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• The Department for Education's guidance on safeguarding in out-of-school settings, which applies to our one-to-one family coaching delivered outside a school environment

• UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 (as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025), see our Privacy Policy for how safeguarding information is handled in line with data protection law

When working in a school, we operate under and defer to that school's own safeguarding policy, its Designated Safeguarding Lead, and its reporting procedures, in addition to our own internal policy below. When working directly with families, outside a school's safeguarding structure, our own procedures below are the primary safeguard in place.

2. Nutrition-Specific Safeguarding Procedures

Nutrition and health coaching carries some safeguarding risks that are specific to our field, beyond general child protection concerns.

Spotting Disordered Eating & Related Concerns

Coaches are trained to be alert to signs that may indicate a child is at risk, including noticeable and rapid changes in weight, extreme or rigid food restriction, secretive behaviour around eating, signs of compulsive or excessive exercise, or any indication that a child is being pressured by an adult to restrict food or lose weight. Deliberately withholding necessary nourishment from a child, by any adult, is treated as a form of physical neglect or abuse under this policy, and will be reported in line with Section 5 below. We do not attempt to diagnose or treat eating disorders ourselves, our role is to notice, record objectively, and signpost on to the appropriate safeguarding lead or professional body.

Allergy & Medical Safety

Before any coaching programme or session involving food begins, we collect verified information on food allergies, intolerances, and any relevant medical conditions, from the school (for school-based sessions) or directly from a parent or guardian (for family coaching). We maintain a clear record of this information for any session involving food tasting, preparation, or discussion, and have an emergency response plan in place in case of an allergic reaction, including knowing the location of any child's own medication (such as an EpiPen) where relevant and disclosed to us.

Choking & Safer Eating

Where a session involves live food preparation or eating (for example, a tasting activity), food is prepared in age-appropriate sizes and textures, and children are supervised throughout. We follow safer-eating guidance appropriate to the age group we're working with, and never leave younger children unsupervised during a food-based activity.

3. Dedicated Leadership & Key Contacts

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Natasha Banks Contact: natasha@thewellnessconsultant.co.uk / 07787 816 941

Independent Contact: [To be appointed]

When working in a school, the school's own DSL remains the primary point of contact for any concern arising during that session, we will always support and defer to their process.

4. Code of Professional Conduct

To protect both children and coaches, and to prevent any risk of grooming, boundary violations, or emotional harm, all coaches working under The Wellness Education must follow this code of conduct.

One-to-One Interactions

Coaches must not be alone with a child in a closed or private space. One-to-one sessions, whether in person or virtual, must take place in an open or visible space, or with a parent, guardian, or school representative present or able to observe. Virtual one-to-one sessions should be conducted with a parent or guardian aware the session is taking place, and, where possible, within earshot or able to join.

Digital Communication

All communication with a child must go through official channels, agreed with the school or parent, never a coach's personal phone number, email, or social media account. Coaches must not follow, friend, or otherwise interact with a child on personal social media profiles.

Physical Contact

Physical contact is kept to the minimum necessary, limited to what's needed for safety (for example, guiding a child away from a hazard) or standard, appropriate positive interactions such as a high-five. Any other physical contact is not permitted.

Photography & Media

Coaches must not take, store, or share photographs or video of any child without documented consent from both the school (or parent/guardian) and, where applicable, the child themselves. Any photography agreed for marketing or session records must follow the consent terms agreed at the time.

5. Reporting, Escalation & Whistleblowing

If a Child Makes a Disclosure or Abuse Is Suspected

1. Stay calm, listen, and do not promise confidentiality.

2. Do not ask leading questions, let the child speak in their own words.

3. Record what was said as soon as possible afterwards, using the child's own words, and log objective facts only, not personal interpretation or assumptions.

4. If working in a school: report immediately to the school's own DSL, following their procedure.

5. If working directly with a family: report immediately to The Wellness Education Founder, who will determine next steps, which may include contacting the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), children's social care, or the police.

6. If a child is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services without delay.

Allegations or Concerns About Our Own Staff

Any allegation or "low-level concern" about a coach's conduct will be taken seriously and handled promptly. Where the concern relates to a risk of harm to a child, it will be reported to the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) without delay, regardless of the coach's seniority or relationship to the business.

Whistleblowing

Anyone raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith will be supported and protected from any form of professional retaliation, whether or not the concern is later substantiated.

Limits to Confidentiality

We respect the privacy of everyone we work with, but confidentiality has limits. If a child's immediate safety is at risk, we will break confidentiality and report the concern to the appropriate authority. This is made clear to schools and families at the start of any engagement.

6. Safer Recruitment & Workforce Vetting

• All coaches and any freelance or subcontracted staff working with children on behalf of The Wellness Education must hold a valid Enhanced DBS check, including a check against the relevant barred list, completed before any unsupervised work with children begins.

• DBS checks are renewed at least every 3 years, or sooner if required by a partner school's own policy.

• All staff complete safeguarding training on induction, with refresher training at regular intervals to stay current with statutory guidance updates.

7. Contact

If you have a safeguarding concern about a session delivered by The Wellness Education, please contact:

Natasha Banks, Designated Safeguarding Lead natasha@thewellnessconsultant.co.uk / 07787 816 941

If you have any concerns relating to any children’s welfare, please contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.