Built for your peace of mind.
From the ground up.
Safety isn't an add-on at StartLocal CIC — it's the foundation. Every feature is designed with young people's protection as the first consideration.
🔒 Under-16 Policy
Young people aged 14–15 cannot create an account without a parent or guardian. Joint registration is mandatory — and you'll be automatically included in every conversation your child has on the platform.
The safety framework, explained.
Verified Employers
Every employer on StartLocal undergoes a strict verification process — including business registration checks, physical location confirmation, and mandatory signing of our Young Worker Code of Conduct. A Verified shield is earned, not given. Employers can lose it if they break our rules.
Mandatory Parental Oversight (Under 16)
Under-16s cannot sign up without a parent or guardian co-registering. Your email is required at the point of sign-up. You'll receive notifications for every Wave received, every message sent, and every profile update. The Parent Dashboard gives you a live view of everything.
Encrypted, Monitored Messaging
All communication between young people and employers happens within StartLocal's secure, on-platform messaging system. Personal phone numbers, email addresses, or social media handles are never shared. For under-16s, parents are automatically CC'd on every message. Automated filters block inappropriate content in real time.
Waves — Not Applications
Your child will never need to cold-apply to a job on StartLocal. Employers discover Talent Profiles and send Waves — positive, time-limited expressions of interest. Your child can choose to respond or decline. There are no rejection letters, no pressure, and no unsolicited contact.
Pulse — A Safe Guide, Not a Stranger
Pulse, our AI guide, only discusses StartLocal-related topics. All Pulse conversations are saved to your child's account — so you can review them in the Parent Dashboard at any time. Pulse never asks for personal details beyond what's needed to personalise the experience.
Frequently asked questions
Every employer must go through a strict verification process before they can access Talent Profiles or send Waves. This includes checking their Companies House registration, confirming their physical address, and requiring them to sign our Young Worker Code of Conduct. Verified businesses display a shield badge — and it can be revoked if they break our rules.
When your child signs up (if they're 14 or 15), your email address is required as part of the process. You'll receive a confirmation email to co-sign their account. From that point, you're automatically included in all messages between your child and any employer. You also get your own login to the Parent Dashboard, where you can view their Talent Profile, Waves received, and conversation history.
Yes — absolutely. The Parent Dashboard gives you a live view of your child's journey on StartLocal. You can see their Talent Profile, the Waves they've received, and a full history of their conversations. For under-16s, you are automatically CC'd on all messages. You can raise a concern or flag a conversation directly from the dashboard.
A Wave is a positive, time-limited expression of interest from a verified employer to a young person's Talent Profile. Crucially, young people never apply cold to an employer — it's the employer who reaches out. Your child can choose to accept or decline. Waves expire after 48–72 hours. There is no pressure, no rejection letters, and all contact stays within the platform.
StartLocal operates as a Community Interest Company (CIC) — a social enterprise whose profits are reinvested into the mission of connecting young people with work, not paid to shareholders. We are operated by StartLocal Ltd, registered in England & Wales. Our mission is explicitly about creating positive social impact, which means the safety and wellbeing of young people is legally at the core of everything we do.
Ready to be your child's safety net?
Create a parent account and be part of their journey from day one — not an afterthought.