Safeguarding Commitment

Reviewed December 2023

INTRODUCTION

Requests for grants are made via a written application form (available electronically) sent to the Administrator. All applications are decided by a panel solely on the basis of the merits of the application form. There is no meeting with the applicant.

This Safeguarding Policy should be read in conjunction with the Confidentiality Policy.

SAFEGUARDING

It is expected that most contact between the Foundation and applicants or their representatives will be by the Foundation’s administrator.  Trustees will only have contact with applicants or their representatives in very limited circumstances and any such contact should be reported at the next trustees’ meeting.

The Spark Foundation is aware of the risks that their grants may be used for unauthorised purposes. We seek to mitigate these risks by requiring applicants in care, or who have recently left care, to give contact details of the Foster Carer, Social Worker or other professional who knows them and supports the application. We also require proof from their local authority that they are or were a care leaver. In the case of Asylum Seekers they must be classified as ‘Relevant Young People’ or ‘Former Relevant Young People’.