Safeguarding – Everyone’s Responsibility
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. As such we expect all staff, volunteers and visitors to share this common commitment. This page contains information about our child protection procedure and our expectations of you whilst visiting the school.
- ALL visitors must sign in and sign out in the School Office.
- ALL visitors must wear their Visitor Badge and ensure it is visible at all times.
- Mobile phones should not be used whilst on the school site.
- Photographs should not to be taken unless by prior agreement.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL (DDSL) at our settings are listed below.
| Bletchingdon | ||
 | DSL | Manager – Sam Hitchman sam@willow-cottage.com 01869 251358 |
 | DDSL | Deputy Manager – Megan Burrows megan@willow-cottage.com 01869 251358 |
| Eynsham | ||
 | DSL | Manager – Jess Mills jess.mills@willow-cottage.com 01993 883583 |
 | DDSL | Deputy Manager – Charni Taylor charni@willow-cottage.com 01993 883583 |
| Farmoor | ||
 | DSL | Manager – Toni Gaul toni@willow-cottage.com 01865 865206 |
 | DDSL | Deputy Manager – Julie Badnell julieb@willow-cottage.com 01865 865206 |
| All Setting | ||
| If you feel it would be more appropriate to speak to someone outside of the setting please contact our Head Teacher. | ||
 | DSL | Head Teacher – Ruth Salway ruth@willow-cottage.com 01865 864604 |
Child Protection Procedure Summary
What you SHOULD do
- If a visitor has a concern about a child’s welfare, they should speak to the DSL or a DDSL immediately.
- If a child makes a disclosure to you react calmly, listen carefully and make notes of the conversation.
- A written record of the concern should be made as soon as possible as directed by the DSL/DDSL.
- This should be completed by the individual raising the concern (not a third party).
- The DSL/DDSL will decide if it is necessary to contact the Oxfordshire LCSS (Local Community Support Service), MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) or the Children’s Social Care Team.
- Any allegation of domestic abuse will be reported to MASH without delay.
- In the case of ‘serious harm’, the police will be informed from the outset.
- Allegations involving a member of staff or a volunteer should be directed to the DSL who will contact the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer)
What you should NOT do
- Do NOT conduct any kind of investigation or to ask leading questions of a child.
- Do NOT promise confidentiality to a child. Explain that you must pass on information if you are worried.
- Do NOT speak to anyone other than the DSL/DDSL/HeadTeacher, as appropriate.
Please remember that ANYONE can make a referral if necessary. The DSL or Headteacher (as appropriate) must be informed as soon as possible thereafter.
MASH: 0345 050 7666 / mash-children@oxfordshire.gov.uk
LADO: 01865 810603 / lado.safeguardingchildren@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Indicators of Abuse and Neglect
Abuse: A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by
failing to act to prevent harm.
Physical abuse: A form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or
scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.
Emotional abuse: The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and adverse
effects on the child’s emotional development.
Sexual abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether
or not the child is aware of what is happening.
Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result
in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.
Peer on Peer abuse: Children can abuse other children. This can include bullying; physical abuse and other forms of abuse.
Full Safeguarding Policy
Our Safeguarding Procedure can be found on our Parent Partnership page
