Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

This safeguarding policy sets out the approach taken by TRM Innovations Ltd to protecting children, young people and adults at risk during building, refurbishment and home improvement work.

TRM Innovations Ltd is a Bexleyheath-based building company providing services that may include extensions, refurbishments, kitchens, bathrooms, garage conversions, garden rooms, loft conversions and general building work.

Many of our projects take place in occupied homes. This means workers, subcontractors and visitors may be present in properties where children, elderly people, disabled people, vulnerable adults, carers, family members or other residents may also be present. Everyone acting for or on behalf of the company is expected to behave responsibly and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Purpose of This Policy

The purpose of this policy is to help protect people who may be at risk of harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation.

It also helps make clear the standards of conduct expected from anyone working with or for TRM Innovations Ltd, especially when attending customer homes or working near children, young people or adults who may need additional protection.

This policy supports safe, respectful and professional working practices. It is not intended to replace statutory safeguarding procedures, emergency services or specialist safeguarding advice.

Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to anyone working for or on behalf of TRM Innovations Ltd. This may include directors, employees, workers, subcontractors, labourers, suppliers, consultants and any other person representing the company.

It applies during site visits, surveys, quotations, building work, deliveries, customer meetings, telephone communication, email communication and any other activity connected to the company.

The policy applies whether work is taking place in an occupied home, empty property, shared building, commercial setting or any location where vulnerable people may be present.

What Safeguarding Means

Safeguarding means taking reasonable steps to protect people from harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation.

In the context of domestic building work, safeguarding may include behaving appropriately in customer homes, avoiding unnecessary contact with children or vulnerable people, keeping work areas safe, reporting concerns and making sure workers understand the importance of professional conduct.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Concerns should not be ignored because they feel uncomfortable, uncertain or difficult to raise.

Children, Young People and Adults at Risk

A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18.

An adult at risk may be someone who has care or support needs, is experiencing abuse or neglect, or may be unable to protect themselves because of age, disability, illness, mental health needs, learning difficulties, domestic abuse, dependency, isolation or another vulnerability.

Not every vulnerability is visible. Workers should act with care, respect and professionalism in all customer environments.

Our Safeguarding Commitment

TRM Innovations Ltd is committed to treating customers, families, residents and visitors with dignity and respect.

We aim to reduce avoidable risk by maintaining professional boundaries, managing work areas responsibly and responding appropriately if a safeguarding concern is noticed or reported.

We do not tolerate abuse, harassment, intimidation, exploitation, discrimination, inappropriate behaviour or unsafe conduct by anyone working for or on behalf of the company.

Professional Behaviour in Customer Homes

Anyone representing TRM Innovations Ltd must behave professionally when attending a customer’s property.

This includes using appropriate language, respecting privacy, avoiding unnecessary personal conversations, staying within agreed working areas where possible and following reasonable instructions from the customer about access and household arrangements.

Workers should remember that they are guests in someone’s home and that their conduct can affect how safe and comfortable the customer and their family feel.

Working Around Children

Workers should avoid being alone with children wherever possible and should not supervise, care for, discipline, transport or look after a child as part of their work.

Any interaction with children should be limited, appropriate and connected only to normal polite communication where unavoidable.

If a child enters a working area, the priority should be to prevent injury by stopping work if necessary, making the area safe and informing the responsible adult.

Working Around Adults at Risk

Some customers or residents may need additional care, patience or support. Workers should remain polite, calm and respectful.

Workers should not provide personal care, financial advice, medication assistance, lifting assistance or other support outside their role unless there is an immediate emergency requiring urgent help.

If there are concerns about an adult’s safety, welfare or treatment, these should be reported through the appropriate route.

Site Safety and Safeguarding

Safeguarding is closely linked to site safety. Building work can create hazards such as tools, cables, dust, waste, sharp materials, open floors, exposed services, ladders, wet surfaces and restricted access routes.

Where work takes place in an occupied property, extra care should be taken to reduce risks to children, elderly residents, disabled people, pets and visitors.

Customers should also help by keeping children, vulnerable residents and pets away from working areas wherever possible.

Access and Boundaries

TRM Innovations Ltd aims to agree access arrangements before work begins. This may include which rooms or areas workers may use, where materials can be stored, toilet access, entry times, key handling and areas that should remain private.

Workers should not enter private areas of a property unless access is required for the agreed work or has been clearly approved by the customer.

Respecting boundaries helps protect both customers and workers.

Photography and Recording

Photographs or videos may sometimes be useful for project records, progress updates, snagging, quotations or before-and-after examples.

Images should only be taken for legitimate business purposes and should avoid including children, vulnerable people, personal documents, private possessions or sensitive household details wherever possible.

Images should not be shared publicly without appropriate permission.

Communication Standards

Communication with customers should be clear, respectful and appropriate.

Workers should not use threatening, aggressive, sexually inappropriate, discriminatory or offensive language. They should also avoid private or unnecessary communication with children or vulnerable people.

Where communication is needed about the work, it should normally take place with the customer, responsible adult, property owner or agreed contact person.

Recognising Possible Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns can appear in different ways. A concern may arise from something seen, heard, disclosed or noticed during work.

Possible signs may include unexplained injuries, fearfulness, neglect, unsafe living conditions, controlling behaviour by another person, distress, signs of exploitation, poor treatment, concerning comments or a direct disclosure of abuse.

Workers are not expected to investigate or prove abuse. The role is to notice concerns, record relevant facts and report them appropriately.

Responding to a Disclosure

If a child, young person or adult at risk tells a worker something that suggests harm, abuse or neglect, the worker should listen calmly and avoid making promises that the information will be kept secret.

The worker should not ask leading questions, investigate the matter or confront any person involved.

The concern should be reported as soon as possible to the appropriate person within TRM Innovations Ltd, and where there is immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted.

Immediate Risk or Emergency

If someone appears to be in immediate danger, or there is a serious risk of harm, emergency services should be contacted straight away.

Examples may include violence, serious neglect, immediate threat, medical emergency, a child left in dangerous circumstances or any situation where waiting could place someone at risk.

Where emergency services are contacted, TRM Innovations Ltd should also be informed as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Any safeguarding concern should be reported promptly.

The report should include factual information such as what was seen, heard or said, the date, time, location, people involved and any immediate action taken.

Personal opinions, assumptions or accusations should be avoided. The aim is to pass on relevant information so the concern can be reviewed properly.

Confidentiality

Safeguarding information should be handled carefully and shared only with people who need to know in order to protect someone from harm, manage the concern or meet legal responsibilities.

Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where a person may be at risk of harm. In those situations, information may need to be shared with appropriate authorities.

Records relating to safeguarding concerns should be kept secure and handled responsibly.

False or Malicious Allegations

TRM Innovations Ltd takes safeguarding concerns seriously and expects reports to be made honestly and in good faith.

A concern that turns out to be mistaken is not the same as a false allegation. People should not avoid reporting a genuine concern because they are unsure.

However, deliberately false or malicious allegations may be treated seriously.

Safer Working Practices

TRM Innovations Ltd expects workers and subcontractors to follow safer working practices when attending customer properties.

This includes avoiding unnecessary one-to-one contact with children or vulnerable people, keeping conversations appropriate, maintaining clear boundaries, respecting privacy and reporting any concern that may affect welfare or safety.

Workers should also avoid accepting inappropriate gifts, sharing personal contact details unnecessarily or becoming involved in family disputes or private matters.

Recruitment and Subcontractors

TRM Innovations Ltd aims to work with people who are suitable, responsible and professional.

Where roles involve specific safeguarding responsibilities or regular work in environments requiring checks, appropriate vetting or further requirements may be considered.

Subcontractors and third parties working on behalf of the company are expected to follow this policy and behave appropriately in customer homes.

Training and Awareness

TRM Innovations Ltd aims to maintain awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and the importance of professional conduct in domestic building work.

Workers and subcontractors should understand that safeguarding is not limited to formal care settings. It can also apply when working in homes where children, elderly residents, disabled people or adults at risk are present.

Where additional guidance is needed, the company may review working practices and provide suitable information.

Customer Responsibilities

Customers also have a role in maintaining safe working conditions during home improvement work.

Customers should tell TRM Innovations Ltd about any relevant household arrangements that may affect safety, access or safeguarding. This may include children being present during working hours, vulnerable residents, pets, restricted areas or specific care needs.

Customers should keep children and vulnerable residents away from active working areas wherever possible.

Complaints and Concerns About Conduct

If a customer has a concern about the behaviour of anyone working for or on behalf of TRM Innovations Ltd, they should contact the company as soon as possible.

Concerns will be reviewed and handled according to the nature and seriousness of the issue.

Where a safeguarding concern involves possible harm, abuse, neglect or immediate danger, the matter may need to be referred to the appropriate authority.

Policy Review

This safeguarding policy may be reviewed and updated from time to time to reflect changes in working practices, legal requirements, customer expectations or company procedures.

Any updates will be published on this page.

Contact Details

If you have any questions about this safeguarding policy or wish to raise a concern, you can contact TRM Innovations Ltd using the contact details shown on this page.

This safeguarding policy was last updated in June 2026.