Governance

Our Policies

We work with people in the hardest moments of their lives. Trust begins with transparency — every policy that governs how we work is here, in full, in plain language.

All registrations can be independently verified through the official UK bodies that issued them.

CIC Registration

Lotus Justice & Support Centre CIC

Company No. 17184809 · Companies House

Data Protection (ICO)

Registered Controller

Number: ZC144429 · Tier 1

CPD Accreditation

The CPD Certification Service

Member No. 22832

IDVA & CEO

Otilia Mutu

www.otiliamutu.com

01

Safeguarding & Confidentiality

People Protection

How we protect children, vulnerable adults and the information you share with us.

v1.0 · May 2026

Safeguarding Policy

How we protect children and vulnerable adults, who we report to, what we do when there is a risk.

Full policy available on request

Client Confidentiality

What you share with us stays with us. The limits of that confidentiality.

Full policy available on request

Code of Conduct

Standards of behaviour for anyone representing Lotus.

Full policy available on request

Trauma-Informed Practice

The six principles we follow in every interaction with a survivor.

Full policy available on request

Survivor Voice

How we involve survivors in organisational decisions. Paid advisory group.

Full policy available on request

Bullying & Harassment

Zero tolerance. How to report, what we promise to do, protection from retaliation.

Full policy available on request

02

Data Protection & GDPR

Data & Technology

How we manage your data in accordance with UK GDPR and PECR. We are registered with the ICO (ZC144429).

v1.1 · August 2026

Cookie Policy

What cookies and local storage we use. Spoiler: very few, no tracking.

Full policy available on request

Data Retention & Deletion

How long we keep each category of data and how we securely destroy it.

Full policy available on request

Information Sharing

When and how we share data with police, social services, MARAC, NHS. Consent first.

Full policy available on request

Your Rights & Data Request

How to view, correct or delete the data we hold about you. Free, within one month.

Full policy available on request

Data Security Breaches

What we do if data is lost or exposed. We report to the ICO within 72 hours.

Full policy available on request

03

Equality, Diversity & Ethics

Equality & Standards

How we apply the Equality Act 2010 and how you can safely raise concerns.

v1.0 · May 2026

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equal access for all, regardless of background, gender, immigration status or disability.

Full policy available on request

Whistleblowing

How you can safely raise concerns, in accordance with PIDA 1998. No retaliation.

Full policy available on request

Accessibility Statement

How we make the site accessible to everyone. WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

Full policy available on request

By and For Declaration

Why we are 'led by Romanian women, for Romanian women' and how we hold ourselves accountable.

Full policy available on request

04

Complaints, Feedback & Terms

Your Relationship With Us

How to raise a concern, how to give feedback, and the terms you accept when using the site.

Live

Complaints Procedure

How to make a complaint, what we promise to do and how quickly we will respond.

Full policy available on request

Feedback

Give us anonymous or named feedback. It helps us improve.

Full policy available on request

05

Policies for those who work with us

Volunteers & Partners

For volunteers, partner professionals and partner organisations.

Live

Volunteer Policies

The complete set of policies for volunteers: confidentiality, safeguarding, expenses, supervision.

Full policy available on request

Volunteer Induction

The mandatory induction programme before starting activity.

Full policy available on request

Practical Guide for Volunteers

How day-to-day work functions, how to escalate, how to look after yourself.

Full policy available on request

Lone Working Safety

How we keep staff and volunteers safe when working alone or with high-risk cases.

Full policy available on request

06

How we are run and how we manage money

Governance & Transparency

For directors, funders, authorities and anyone who wants to verify we are a serious organisation.

v1.0 · May 2026

Risk Management

How we identify, assess and manage risks as a Community Interest Company.

Full policy available on request

Conflict of Interest

How directors and staff declare and manage conflicts. Companies Act 2006 s.175–177.

Full policy available on request

Financial Controls & Reserves

Two-signature authorisation, monthly reconciliation, 3–6 month reserves. CC8 + CC19.

Full policy available on request

Directors' Code of Conduct

The higher standards expected of every director. Statutory duties applied to Lotus.

Full policy available on request

Donations & Fundraising

How we raise and use money honestly and how we protect donors. Code of Fundraising Practice.

Full policy available on request

07

Health, safety, consent & public presence

Operational & Communications

Operational policies for spaces, events, materials and our online presence.

v1.0 · May 2026

Health & Safety

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 applied to the reality of a small CIC.

Full policy available on request

Anti-Slavery & Trafficking

How we identify and support victims of modern slavery. Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Full policy available on request

Photo & Story Consent

How we handle consent for images and stories of survivors, children and staff.

Full policy available on request

Social Media Policy

Who can post, what we never post, how we respond to DMs and trolling.

Full policy available on request

08

Public records & accreditations

Registrations

All of these can be independently verified through the official UK bodies that issued them.

Something missing?

Suggest a policy we should publish. We want to be completely transparent. If you think a policy is missing or needs updating, let us know.

Contact us

Direct Support

Free helpline, self-referral and professional referral system, safety planning and advocacy with councils, police, NHS and children's services. Every case handled by a qualified IDVA.

0800 098 2730Free from any UK phone[email protected]

Trusted Partnerships

Women's Aid Ally member with access to Routes to Support, member of AdviceUK, Respect, NCVO and the Women's Resource Centre. We refer to accredited solicitors and specialist services, never in-house.

Community Reach

Daily awareness and education programmes for the Romanian community, a free helpline in Romanian and Romani, and an online platform with verified information, guides and resources.

lotusjusticeapp.co.uk

Every Thursday at 7pm — online emotional support session in Romanian.

© 2026 Lotus Justice & Support Centre CIC — All Rights Reserved.