Saying the risk out loud.
Paid work involving under-16s is a sensitive area, and one that hasn't been solved well before. We'd rather name that risk publicly than pretend it doesn't exist. This page is our standing commitment — and an open invitation to challenge us where we fall short.
Independent advisory panel
A small safeguarding panel — including a children's social worker, a youth-law solicitor and an educator — with explicit audit rights over our placements, policies and finances. We are actively recruiting; names will be published once confirmed.
Young-person-led feedback
Anonymous monthly check-ins for every young person on a placement, with aggregate results published openly. Actively inviting criticism is part of the safeguard.
Radical financial transparency
We publish a per-placement breakdown of every sponsored pound — how much goes to the young person, the mentor, vetting and safeguarding, and Empath overhead. No hidden cuts, no fine print.
Regulated payroll, no commingling
Stipends are paid through a regulated payroll provider directly to the young person — never via Empath, never via a guardian. Empath operating funds and young people's earnings are separate accounts, separately audited.
Guardian co-consent & exit
Every placement starts with a plain-English one-pager signed by the young person and their guardian. They can withdraw at any point, no questions asked, no penalty — and the placement ends within 24 hours.
Public ethics statement
We say the risk out loud: paid work involving minors can be exploited. This page exists so anyone — a parent, a journalist, a regulator — can challenge us on whether we're living up to it.
Hold us to it
If something on this page isn't matched by what you see in practice, tell us. Parents, young people, partners, regulators and journalists are all welcome to write to ethics@secondcorner.co.uk — and to apply to or suggest someone for our advisory panel.
Detailed policies
The legislation we operate under, our CIC structure, and how funding flows.