Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

1. INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT 

Nai’s House recognises its duty of care to safeguard children as detailed under the Children Acts, 1989 and 2004, and Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2018. 

Nai’s House is fully committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of all children, and taking all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and protect children from harm, abuse and neglect. The overarching guidelines of the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board (OSCB) will be followed. 

Nai’s House acknowledges its duty to act appropriately with regards to any allegations towards anyone working on its behalf, or towards any disclosures or suspicion of abuse. 

Nai’s House believes that: 

  • The welfare of all children and young people is paramount. 
  • All children, regardless of age, ability, gender, racial heritage, religious or spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation and/or identity, have the right to equal protection from harm or abuse. 
  • Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues. 
  • Working in partnership with children, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare. 

2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK 

This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the following legislation and guidance. Links are given to key guidelines that staff and volunteers should familiarise themselves with: 

  • Children Act, 1989 
  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1991 
  • Children Act, 2004 
  • Equality Act, 2010 
  • Children and Families Act ,2014 
  • Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years 
  • What to do if you are worried a Child is being Abused, 2015 
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2018 
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2021 
  • Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board guidelines 

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children’s Act 1989). 

3. POLICY 

To keep children safe Nai’s House will: 

  • provide a setting where children feel listened to, safe, secure, valued and respected; 
  • appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead for children and ensure a clear line of accountability with regards to safeguarding concerns; 
  • ensure all those in a position of trust have been provided with up to date and relevant information, training, support and supervision to enable them to fulfil their role and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and child protection; 
  • provide a clear procedure to follow when safeguarding and child protection concerns arise;
  • ensure effective and appropriate communication between all individuals in a position of trust; 
  • build strong partnerships with other agencies to promote effective and appropriate multi-agency working, information sharing and good practice. 

4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

All individuals working in a position of trust at Nai’s House will follow the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board Procedures. In particular, they must: 

  • understand the different types of abuse and recognise the possible risks and indicators (see section 4 of the OSCB manual) 
  • understand their responsibility to report any concerns that a child is being, or is at risk of being, abused or neglected; this includes reporting any concern they may have regarding another person’s behaviour towards a child or children (see section 6 of the OCSB manual); 
  • if appropriate; liaise with other agencies, contribute to safeguarding assessments and attend child protection meetings / core groups / conferences; 
  • record and store information legally, professionally and securely in line with organisational policies and procedures; 
  • undertake the required level of training for their role in line with OSCB standards; 
  • understand the line of accountability for reporting safeguarding concerns, and be fully aware of the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead and their role within the organisation. 

Name of Safeguarding Lead: Gem Barrett Tel: 07437 497697 

Name of Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Shirin McGregor Tel: 07741 774065 

The Board of Trustees is ultimately accountable for ensuring settings provided by Nai’s House are safe, including the implementation of effective safeguarding procedures. 

5. RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 

  • Anti-harassment and Bullying 
  • Child Protection and Safeguarding flowchart 
  • Code of Behaviour 
  • Health and Safety 
  • Incident Report template 
  • Safer Recruitment 
  • Supervision 
  • Whistleblowing. 

The above documents are located in the Policies & Guidance Folder 

6. MONITORING AND REVIEW 

The policy will be reviewed annually. As part of this review, Nai’s House will complete an annual self-assessment to appraise their safeguarding practice against OSCB standards. 

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