Safeguarding Statement

For the Financial Year Ending 30th of April 2026

Introduction

Abbexa is a global organisation headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with additional locations in Houston, USA, and Leiden, Netherlands. We are a trusted provider of high-quality biological research tools, serving the life sciences, pharmaceutical development, and biotechnology sectors. Our product range includes primary and secondary antibodies, proteins, ELISA kits, enzymes, and various other research kits and tools.

While Abbexa has limited direct engagement with children and young people, we remain fully committed to ensuring their safety and wellbeing in all our interactions. This includes educational outreach, community engagement, and any work placement opportunities offered by the company.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for any children or young people who engage with our organisation. 

Safeguarding means:

Protecting children and young people from abuse and maltreatment, preventing harm to their health or development, ensuring they grow up in safe and effective care, and taking action to help them achieve the best possible outcomes.

Our safeguarding practices are guided by UK legislation and statutory guidance, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), and Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023), as well as good practices.

We are also committed to upholding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and to applying these principles across all our global locations.

Our Safeguarding Approach

We believe safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. This statement applies to all employees, contractors, and individuals working with or on behalf of Abbexa. We have appointed designated safeguarding leads who oversee all safeguarding matters:

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Tabatha Robelou.
  • Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Sabrina Preston.

Both the DSL and DDSL undertake annual safeguarding and child protection training to ensure they are equipped to handle concerns appropriately and in line with relevant legislation and guidance. All employees who may engage with children or young people are expected to complete safeguarding and child protection training.

Reporting Concerns

We encourage anyone, staff, visitors, or young people themselves, to report any concerns immediately to the DSL or DDSL without delay. This includes concerns about:

  • General welfare
  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
  • Neglect
  • Bullying, exploitation or radicalisation
  • Any behaviour by adults or peers that causes discomfort or distress

The DSL/DDSL will then take appropriate action, which may include informing the child’s school, parent organisation, or relevant safeguarding authority.

We take all concerns seriously and are committed to listening to the voices of children and young people.

Appropriate and Inappropriate Behaviour: Guidance for Young People

We are committed to creating an environment where children and young people feel safe, respected, and empowered to recognise inappropriate behaviour and speak up.

Appropriate BehavioursInappropriate Behaviours
  • No physical contact with the young person
  • Keeping respectful distance from the young person
  • Speaking to the young person respectfully, in a moderate tone and language
  • Showing interest in the young person's role or activities
  • Being in a group including the young person
  • Offering the young person food and drink or showing them where to find these
  • Creating a comfortable space for the young person by consistently following the behaviours above
  • Any intentional physical contact with the young person
  • Standing or sitting too close to the young person, invading personal space
  • Speaking down, belittling, yelling or using foul language with the young person
  • Asking personal questions about the young person's private personal details, such as relationship status, etc.
  • Inviting the young person to be alone, particularly in a private and/or isolated space
  • Offering young people alcohol, cigarettes or any other age-restricted products
  • Making the young person uncomfortable, unsafe or pressured

We take all disclosures seriously and actively:

  • Maintain a code of conduct for staff outlining expected behaviour during any interaction with children or young people.
  • Maintain this Safeguarding Statement publically and actively share it with children and young people to explain appropriate and inappropriate behaviour and to let them know who they can speak to if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
  • Encourage open dialogue and promote an environment where concerns are welcomed and acted upon.

Governance and Review

This statement is reviewed annually to ensure its relevance and effectiveness, and to reflect any changes in safeguarding legislation, best practice, or company operations. It has been reviewed and approved by the Company 1 Board of Directors for the financial year ending 30 April 2026.

Sabrina Preston

Director

April 2025