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Safeguarding Children Policy


Organisation: The Warren Neurodiversity Service Address: Quatro House, Lyon Way, Frimley,

Camberley, GU16 8SN Email: admin@thewns.co.uk

February 2025, to be reviewed February 2026


Policy and Procedure for Safeguarding Children

1. Introduction The Warren Neurodiversity Service is committed to ensuring that the welfare and

safety of children who access our services is paramount. All children, without exception, have

the right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, religion,

or beliefs. We recognise that children and young people may be particularly vulnerable to

abuse and exploitation, and that timely intervention is essential to protect them from harm.


Safeguarding, and promoting the welfare of children, is a broader term than child protection. It

includes protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of health or development, and ensuring they grow up in safe and effective care environments. It also involves proactive approaches to early identification of need and support to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors within a child’s environment.


Child protection refers to specific activities undertaken to prevent children from suffering significant harm. This policy recognises that safeguarding is a multi-agency responsibility and is committed to working in close partnership with local authorities, safeguarding partners, schools, health services, and law enforcement bodies to deliver coordinated responses. We also acknowledge the impact of social determinants, such as poverty, domestic abuse, and substance misuse, on children's safety and well-being.


All safeguarding practices are aligned with the protocols of the local Safeguarding Partners and

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). These practices are underpinned by national guidance,

including the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023, updated 2025), the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (as amended 2025), and the Online Safety Act 2023. The service is also mindful of its responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).


All staff and associates must complete mandatory safeguarding training on an annual basis. This training includes recognising signs of abuse and neglect, how to respond appropriately to

disclosures, and how to make a safeguarding referral. Additional training is provided where staff roles involve direct work with children or young people, and refresher training is scheduled in response to case learning or regulatory updates.

This policy is endorsed by senior management and is distributed to all clinical and administrative staff. It is a living document, subject to regular review and continuous improvement in line with best practice and emerging safeguarding concerns.


2. Purpose This policy aims to:

• Reaffirm the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all

children

• Ensure robust procedures are in place for identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns

• Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and vigilance across the organisation

• Support staff to understand their individual and collective safeguarding responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with legal and ethical obligations

• Provide a safe and responsive service environment for children and families

3. Scope This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, contractors, and Clinical Partners operating

under the Warren Neurodiversity Service, regardless of their level of interaction with children. It

applies to all services and activities provided by the organisation, whether delivered in-person,

remotely, or via digital platforms. This includes clinical appointments, assessments, support

groups, outreach activities, and administrative interactions.


4. Definitions A "child" is defined in UK law as anyone under the age of 18. For the purpose of this policy, safeguarding considerations may extend to young adults up to the age of 21,

particularly where they are care leavers or identified as having additional vulnerabilities. A

young person may also be someone who, due to a mental or physical impairment, requires

continued support and protection.


Safeguarding includes a range of activity such as early help, child protection, the management of allegations against staff, promoting the emotional resilience of children and their families, and ensuring that service users receive appropriate care that reflects their cultural, developmental, and communication needs.


5. Duties and Responsibilities The Chief Executive holds overall accountability for safeguarding

within the organisation. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for operational

implementation, including:

• Receiving and responding to safeguarding concerns

• Maintaining accurate and confidential safeguarding records

• Liaising with statutory agencies such as MASH and LADO

• Ensuring staff compliance with training and legal obligations

• Coordinating case reviews, internal audits, and quality assurance processes


All staff must:

• Be familiar with and adhere to this safeguarding policy

• Act immediately if they have a safeguarding concern

• Share concerns with the DSL even when unsure if a threshold for referral has been met

• Understand their legal and professional responsibilities in relation to safeguarding

• Participate in ongoing professional development related to child protection


6. Practitioner Suitability The organisation implements stringent recruitment and vetting processes to ensure all practitioners are suitable to work with children. Practitioners must:

• Hold an enhanced DBS certificate dated within the last 12 months

• Be registered with the DBS update service

• Provide at least two professional references

• Sign an annual declaration confirming continued suitability to work with children

• Declare any new convictions, investigations, or allegations promptly

Supervision and performance monitoring processes are in place to identify and address any

professional conduct concerns. Ongoing professional development in safeguarding is mandatory.

The service also maintains a safeguarding competency framework to assess and support staff

confidence and skill in safeguarding practice.


7. Identifying and Reporting Concerns Concerns about a child’s safety may arise from direct

disclosure, observed behaviour, or third-party information. Staff must:

• Listen carefully, remain calm, and avoid asking leading questions

• Explain that confidentiality cannot be maintained when a child is at risk

• Record the concern in the child’s own words where possible, including dates, times, and

witnesses

• Share the concern with the DSL as soon as possible, and follow up to confirm action has been

taken . The DSL is responsible for determining the appropriate course of action, including referral to local authority safeguarding services. All concerns and actions are logged in a secure safeguarding register. Staff must escalate concerns if they feel action has not been appropriately taken. In urgent cases, staff may contact children’s services directly while simultaneously notifying the DSL.


8. Allegations Against Staff Any allegation of abuse or misconduct involving a member of staff,

volunteer, or contractor must be reported without delay to the DSL and Chief Executive. In line

with statutory guidance, referrals to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) will be

made where:

• A child has been harmed or is at risk of harm

• A criminal offence has been committed against a child

• There are concerns that the individual is unsuitable to work with children

Internal investigations will proceed even if the individual resigns. HR and safeguarding leads will ensure a fair, thorough, and confidential investigation process. Where appropriate, referrals may also be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), professional regulators (e.g. HCPC, GMC), or the police.


9. Monitoring and Review This policy is reviewed annually by the senior management team and

DSL, or more frequently if there is:

• A significant change in legislation or statutory guidance

• A serious safeguarding incident within the organisation

• Recommendations from regulatory or oversight bodies

• Learning identified through internal case reviews or audits

Feedback from staff, service users, and external agencies is encouraged to improve safeguarding culture and practices. Revisions are shared and explained during training and team meetings. Safeguarding is a standing agenda item at governance meetings to ensure continuous focus.


10. References

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023, updated 2025)

• Children Act 1989 and 2004

• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Amended 2025)

• Online Safety Act 2023

• The Children and Social Work Act 2017

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024)

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

• Local Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures

 
 

© 2035 The Warren 

Care Quality Commission registered
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