What Next Limited is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people when they come into contact with the services that we provide. What Next Limited has a multi-agency children’s safeguarding board which Hammersmith/Fulham council supports and is guided by. What Next Limited offers a range of services to children and young people and recognizes that these may have a very powerful/positive influence on them. It is our aim to aid the development, self-esteem, and social awareness of children and young people providing opportunities for enjoyment with personal achievement in accordance with the Every Child Matters Framework 2004.What Next Limited will promote the safeguarding of children in all our services affecting them and consulting with young people in policy and service delivery matters which affect them so that they may help shape our services.

In addition to direct service delivery for children, the wide ranging nature of the council's work gives many of our staff substantial access to children and young people. This policy applies to all our staff who may enter into contact with children and young people in the cause of their work whether in our community or some ones house. All our staff have a responsibility to be mindful of the potential for abuse and to refer suspected cases to children social services /policy as our staff are in positions to observe outward signs of abuse and can and should alert others when such signs are observed.