Last updated: 10 June 2026
1. Purpose of this policy
The Knife Crime Prevention Awards platform discusses knife crime, youth safety, violence prevention, lived experience, community work and personal stories. These subjects can involve trauma, risk, children, vulnerable adults, victims, families and sensitive information.
This Safeguarding & Welfare Policy explains how KCPA aims to promote safety and respond to concerns raised through the platform.
2. Emergency situations
KCPA is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, if a crime is happening now, or if urgent medical help is needed, call 999.
If you are worried about a child or vulnerable adult but it is not an immediate emergency, contact the appropriate local safeguarding service, police non-emergency route or other relevant support service.
3. Platform safety principles
KCPA aims to operate the platform in a way that is respectful, trauma-informed, proportionate and focused on preventing harm. We aim to avoid publishing unnecessary details that could identify, endanger or retraumatise people.
4. Content involving children or vulnerable people
Users must not publish identifying information about children, witnesses, victims, vulnerable adults or people at risk without appropriate consent and a clear reason. This includes names, addresses, schools, locations, images, case details or information that could allow someone to be identified.
5. Stories and lived experience
Stories can be powerful, but they must be shared safely. We may edit, decline or remove stories that contain graphic detail, unsafe identifiers, revenge content, allegations that cannot be safely published, or content that may place someone at risk.
6. Nominations and nominee profiles
Nominations should focus on positive impact and award suitability. They should not expose private trauma, sensitive family details, addresses, school information or ongoing legal matters unless there is a clear and safe reason for doing so.
7. Moderation and escalation
If KCPA becomes aware of content that raises a safeguarding or welfare concern, we may restrict publication, contact the user, request further information, escalate internally, preserve relevant records or refer the matter to an appropriate authority where necessary and lawful.
8. Harmful content
We do not allow content that encourages violence, glorifies knife crime, promotes weapons, threatens others, targets victims or families, shares graphic material, gives instructions for harm, or attempts to intimidate people.
9. Staff, judges, volunteers and moderators
People with platform responsibilities should act professionally, maintain confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest, escalate concerns appropriately and only access information needed for their role.
10. Reporting concerns
Users should report concerns through the support page or reporting tools. Serious or urgent risks should be reported directly to emergency or safeguarding services rather than waiting for a platform response.
11. Wellbeing
Some content on the platform may be distressing. Users should take breaks, avoid reading material that may affect their wellbeing and seek support from trusted people or professional services if needed.
12. Review
This policy should be reviewed as the platform develops, especially before public launch, after significant safeguarding incidents or when new community features are added.