The Willows is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people in its care. This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, and visitors at The Willows and sets out our responsibilities and procedures for keeping young people safe.

This policy should be read alongside our Child Protection Policy, Health and Safety Policy, and Risk Assessment Policy.

The Willows believes that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount.
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection from harm.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their families, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people's welfare.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for The Willows is:

Nicola Bevan
Founder and Lead Practitioner
07979 125129 · [email protected]

The DSL is responsible for:

• Receiving and recording all safeguarding concerns.
• Making referrals to the local authority children's social care where appropriate.
• Liaising with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where allegations are made against staff.
• Ensuring all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training.
• Keeping up to date with local safeguarding procedures and guidance.

All staff are trained to recognise the signs and indicators of the four main categories of abuse:

• Physical abuse — including hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or drowning.
• Emotional abuse — persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe and persistent adverse effects on a child's emotional development.
• Sexual abuse — involving forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities.
• Neglect — persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs.

Staff are also trained to be alert to contextual safeguarding concerns including child criminal exploitation, child sexual exploitation, and online safety.

Any member of staff who has a concern about a child's welfare must:

• Report it immediately to the DSL.
• Record the concern in writing, using the child's own words where possible.
• Not investigate the concern themselves or make promises of confidentiality to the child.
• In an emergency, or if a child is in immediate danger, contact the police (999) or children's social care directly.

Hampshire Children's Services can be contacted on 0300 555 1384. In an emergency, always call 999.

The Willows is committed to safe recruitment practices. All staff and regular volunteers are subject to:

• An enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
• Verification of identity, qualifications, and right to work.
• At least two references, including one from the most recent employer.
• An induction that includes safeguarding training and policy familiarisation.

All safeguarding information is handled with sensitivity and on a need-to-know basis. Information will be shared with relevant agencies where there is a risk to the welfare of a child. Staff are made aware that they cannot promise confidentiality to a child where safeguarding concerns arise.

The DSL holds a current Level 3 safeguarding qualification. All staff complete safeguarding awareness training at induction and refresher training at least every two years, in line with local safeguarding partnership requirements.

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any significant safeguarding incident, change in legislation, or updated statutory guidance. The next review is due in July 2027.