Safeguarding Policy Statement

Last updated: 23 March 2026

1. Purpose and scope

Already Doing It is an online platform that connects prospective students and early-stage learners with current university students and recent graduates (“Student Mentors”) to support informed decision-making about education and career pathways.

The platform is designed for post-16 students only, with enhanced safeguarding measures in place for users aged 16-17.

The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to:

  • Protect children, young people, and adults who may be vulnerable while using the Already Doing It platform

  • Set out the principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and welfare

  • Provide clarity to mentors, users, and partner organisations on expected standards of behaviour and how concerns can be raised

This policy applies to all individuals involved in or using the platform, including:

  • Student Mentors

  • Customers and service users

  • Platform staff, contractors, and representatives

  • Any other individuals acting on behalf of Already Doing It

2. Our safeguarding commitment

Already Doing It believes that:

  • Everyone has the right to feel safe, respected, and supported

  • Abuse, harassment, exploitation, or inappropriate behaviour of any kind is unacceptable

  • Safeguarding is a shared responsibility and should be embedded into how the platform operates

We are committed to promoting welfare, preventing harm, and responding appropriately and proportionately to safeguarding concerns.

Our framework is designed to align with the principles of the Department for Education’s statutory guidance: Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

 

3. Recognising vulnerability and age-related safeguards

Already Doing It recognises that safeguarding considerations are particularly important in online, one-to-one environments and when working with young people.

Sessions  are designed for post-16 students only, with enhanced safeguards in place for users 16-17.

We acknowledge that:

  • Some users may be young people aged 16 or 17

  • Online conversations can increase safeguarding risks if clear boundaries and checks are not in place

  • Power imbalances may exist between mentors and users

  • There is a need for additional safeguards where users are under 18

To address these risks, the platform operates clear age-related safeguards.

Age eligibility and verification

Already Doing It does not accept bookings for users under the age of 16.

At the point of booking, users are required to confirm their age as part of the booking process. Age eligibility is reinforced within booking communications and confirmation emails.

Safeguards for users aged 16–17

For users aged 16 or 17, additional safeguarding measures apply:

  • Mentors are trained to ensure that a parent or legal guardian is present at the beginning of the session

  • If a parent or guardian is not present at the start, the mentor is instructed to terminate the session immediately

  • Users are informed of this requirement before booking and again in session confirmation communications

These measures are designed to ensure transparency, appropriate oversight, and safeguarding assurance for younger users.

Concerns regarding age or suitability

If, during a session, a mentor believes that:

  • A user may be under the age of 16, or

  • A session is otherwise not appropriate to proceed on safeguarding grounds

the mentor is required to:

  • Terminate the session immediately

  • Report the concern through the platform’s safeguarding reporting process for review by the Designated Safeguarding Lead

4. How we keep users safe

Already Doing It seeks to maintain a safe environment through the following measures:

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): A named lead (Dan Muratore) oversees all safeguarding matters.

  • Providing safeguarding guidance and clear expectations as part of mentor onboarding

  • Setting and enforcing standards of conduct for mentors and users

  • Operating sessions within a managed online platform environment

  • Reserving the right to monitor or join sessions for quality assurance and safeguarding purposes, where appropriate and with consent

  • Responding promptly and proportionately to safeguarding concerns

  • Suspending or removing access to the platform where necessary

5. Session boundaries and standards of conduct

To maintain a safe and professional environment:

  • All mentoring sessions take place within the Already Doing It platform

  • Sessions are structured, time-limited, and purpose-led

  • Mentors and students must not exchange personal contact details

  • Communication outside scheduled sessions is not permitted

  • Social media contact between mentors and students is prohibited

  • Sessions are focused on guidance and reflection, not counselling or therapy

Any breach of these boundaries may result in suspension or removal from the platform.

6. Mentor suitability and vetting

Student Mentors are recruited based on suitability, experience, and alignment with our safeguarding expectations.

As part of onboarding, mentors are required to:

  • Agree to a code of conduct

  • Complete a safeguarding course appropriate to their role

  • Understand professional boundaries and reporting responsibilities

  • Engage with ongoing review and quality monitoring

Where required by a school or specific programme, additional safeguarding measures or checks may be applied.

We conduct a rigorous multi-stage vetting process for every mentor:

  • Identity Verification: We manually check official government documents (Passport or Birth Certificate).

  • Academic Verification: We verify student/graduate status via official University ID cards, graduation certificates, or .ac.uk email verification.

  • Mandatory Training: Mentors must complete and pass a safeguarding course covering professional boundaries, “red flags,” and the “No-Contact” rule.

  • Video Assessment: Mentors must pass a communication assessment via a video assignment to ensure they provide objective, non-pressurized guidance.

6.1 Regulated Activity Status

Already Doing It operates as a platform for non-regulated activity. Because sessions are strictly time-limited, conducted on a transparent platform, and—for users under 18—require the presence of a parent or guardian at the start, they do not meet the criteria for ‘Regulated Activity’ under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. This allows us to recruit high-quality, near-peer mentors from universities across the UK who provide authentic, honest insights that traditional careers services cannot.

7. Safeguarding roles and contact

Already Doing It maintains a safeguarding structure appropriate to its size and delivery model.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for:

  • Reviewing safeguarding concerns

  • Managing escalation and decision-making

  • Liaising with external agencies where required

Safeguarding concerns or queries can be raised at any time via our safeguarding reporting form or by contacting:

safeguarding@alreadydoingit.co.uk

8. Reporting safeguarding concerns

Anyone using the platform can raise a safeguarding concern at any time.

Concerns should be reported via our dedicated safeguarding reporting form, which is reviewed promptly by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Dan Muratore) or an authorised safeguarding representative.

Concerns may include (but are not limited to):

  • Inappropriate behaviour or communication

  • Boundary violations

  • Harassment, coercion, or exploitation

  • Concerns about a user’s welfare or safety

  • Any behaviour that feels unsafe or concerning

Reports are handled sensitively, confidentially, and in line with data protection requirements.

If a concern relates to immediate risk or danger, emergency services should be contacted directly before submitting a report.

9. Escalation and external support

Where a safeguarding concern indicates a risk of serious harm, illegal activity, or immediate danger, Already Doing It may:

  • Escalate the matter to relevant external agencies

  • Share information with appropriate authorities where required by law

  • Take immediate action to restrict or remove access to the platform

For independent advice or support, users may also contact:

  • NSPCC Helpline (UK): 0808 800 5000

  • Local safeguarding services appropriate to their location

10. Confidentiality and data protection

Safeguarding information is:

  • Recorded securely

  • Accessed only by individuals with a legitimate need to know

  • Managed in line with applicable data protection legislation

11. Information for Schools & Partners

Already Doing It is designed as a home-based, parent-supported, short-term intervention.

  • Flash-Mentoring Model: Sessions are designed as purposeful, one-off (or maximum two) honest, unfiltered consultations. This prevents long-term dependency and ensures the relationship remains strictly professional and focused on specific educational outcomes.

  • Zero Admin for Staff: Sessions are held outside of school hours, meaning no staff supervision is required.

  • Parental Oversight: For students aged 16-17, our mentors are trained to ensure a parent/guardian is present at the session’s start. This shifts the primary safeguarding responsibility from the school to the home environment.

  • Audit Trail: We maintain a log of all session times, durations, and participants, providing schools with the data needed for Gatsby Benchmarks 2, 3, & 7 without the liability of direct supervision.

Schools and partner organisations are welcome to discuss our safeguarding framework directly with our Designated Safeguarding Lead. Please contact Dan Muratore at safeguarding@alreadydoingit.co.uk.

12. Review of this policy

This safeguarding policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains appropriate, effective, and aligned with best practice and regulatory expectations.