The Asterisk Project

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding Statement

Last updated: 11 February 2026

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Table of contents

Our commitment

The Asterisk Project is committed to safeguarding and protecting everyone who comes into contact with our work, including people accessing our website, partners, volunteers, and staff.

Who we are and what we do

The Asterisk Project is operated by Asterisk Project CIC (Company registration number: 17021645), a Community Interest Company incorporated in England & Wales.

During our initial phase, website services are provided by Sailfin Ltd (Company registration number: 6431517).

As an information and signposting organisation, we:

  • Provide information and resources about mental health support
  • Signpost to appropriate services
  • Do not deliver direct mental health services or crisis support
  • Do not interact with vulnerable people in a care capacity

However, we recognise that:

  • People accessing our website may be in distress or crisis
  • We have a responsibility to provide accurate, safe, and appropriate information
  • We must have clear processes for responding to safeguarding concerns

If you need help now

Immediate danger:

  • Call 999 or go to A&E

Mental health crisis:

  • Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)
  • CALM: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight)
  • Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258
  • NHS 111 (select mental health option)

Safeguarding concerns (children or vulnerable adults):

  • Contact your local council’s safeguarding team
  • Call the police on 101 (non-emergency)
  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (for child protection concerns)

Reporting safeguarding concerns to us

If you have a safeguarding concern related to our website, content, activities, or any person associated with The Asterisk Project:

We will:

  • Acknowledge your concern within one working day
  • Take all concerns seriously
  • Investigate appropriately
  • Follow reporting procedures to external authorities where required
  • Keep you informed of actions taken (where appropriate and safe to do so)

Designated Safeguarding Officer

The DSO is responsible for:

  • Coordinating safeguarding policy and practice
  • Receiving and responding to safeguarding concerns
  • Liaison with external authorities where required
  • Ensuring safeguarding training and awareness
  • Reporting serious incidents to relevant bodies

Safe information and content

We are committed to providing safe, accurate, and responsible information.

We commit to:

  • Providing evidence-based information from trusted sources
  • Clearly signposting to appropriate regulated services
  • Never promising what we cannot deliver
  • Making it clear we are not a crisis or direct support service
  • Reviewing and updating content regularly
  • Avoiding triggering, harmful, or irresponsible content
  • Including crisis contacts prominently throughout the site

Content review:

  • All content is reviewed before publication
  • We consider potential risks or harm in content about mental health
  • We avoid graphic descriptions or methods
  • We balance honesty about mental health challenges with hope and recovery

Partner organisations and service listings

When we list services or link to partner organisations, we verify:

  • Legal registration and regulatory compliance (CQC, Charity Commission, etc.)
  • Appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures are in place
  • Professional accreditation where applicable

We work with organisations that:

  • Are properly regulated
  • Have their own safeguarding policies
  • Adhere to relevant professional standards
  • Share our commitment to protecting vulnerable people

We reserve the right to remove listings if safeguarding concerns are raised.

Safe recruitment

All staff and volunteers working for The Asterisk Project:

  • Are recruited safely with appropriate checks
  • Have enhanced DBS checks where working directly with vulnerable people
  • Receive appropriate safeguarding training
  • Understand their safeguarding responsibilities
  • Know how to recognise and report concerns

All staff and volunteers at The Asterisk Project undergo enhanced DBS checks where appropriate. The Designated Safeguarding Officer holds an enhanced DBS certificate.

Training and awareness

All team members receive:

  • Safeguarding awareness training on induction
  • Regular updates on safeguarding policy and procedures
  • Clear guidance on recognising and reporting concerns
  • Information about boundaries and professional conduct

Training is reviewed and refreshed annually.

Reporting serious incidents

We will report serious safeguarding incidents to:

  • Charity Commission (where required under charity law)
  • Police (where criminal activity is suspected)
  • Local authority safeguarding teams (for child or adult protection concerns)
  • Information Commissioner’s Office (for data breaches involving vulnerable people)

Statement review

This safeguarding statement is reviewed annually and updated when:

  • Legislation or guidance changes
  • Our activities or risk profile changes
  • A serious incident occurs
  • Best practice develops

Next review date: January 2027

Contact

Safeguarding concerns:

General contact:

Legal entity: Asterisk Project CIC (Company No. 17021645), 4 Warwick Road, Kennington, Ashford, TN24 9EH, UK

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