Safeguarding Children Policy v1 1
Safeguarding Children policy
Policy version: v1
Policy Owner: Aspire Oxfordshire
Created: March 2025
Review date: March 2026
1. Introduction
1.1 At Aspire Oxfordshire we believe every child and young person has the right to live in
safety, free from harm, abuse and neglect.
1.2 We work with a range of adults, children and young people who may be at risk
of abuse or neglect, so it is essential that we have mechanisms in place to
minimise the risks of harm and abuse occurring and, where concerns exist, to
ensure that appropriate action is taken to address them.
1.3 Safeguarding children is about people and organisations working together to prevent
and stop the risks and experience of abuse, neglect and exploitation. It is a
comprehensive approach aimed at preventing harm to children, promoting their
welfare, and responding effectively when concerns arise.
1.4 Legislation and statutory guidance such as Children’s Act 2004, Children and Families
Act 2014, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and Safeguarding Vulnerable
Groups Act 2006 inform our approach to safeguarding children and young people
across the organisation.
1.5 We remain strongly committed to safeguarding children and young people who use or
come into contact with our services.
1.6 We develop and implement internal procedures for colleagues that establish clear lines
of accountability, responsibility and processes for reporting safeguarding concerns. We
are committed to maintaining safeguarding policies and procedures, implemented by
knowledgeable and trained staff.
1.7 This policy has links with some of our other documents, and we’ve thought about these
when developing the policy. This policy should be read in conjunction with the
Safeguarding Adults Policy.
Other related documents:
• Whistleblowing Policy
• Mental Capacity Act Policy
• Domestic Abuse and Violence against women and girls (VAWG) Policy
• Code of Conduct
• Data Protection Policy
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
• Care and Support Needs guidance note
• Recruitment and Selection Policy
Safeguarding Children Policy v1
2. Scope
2.1 The purpose of this Policy is to set out Aspire Oxfordshire’s approach to preventing
and reducing the risk of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and young
people.
2.2 This policy applies to all colleagues working within Aspire Oxfordshire as well as
agency support workers, volunteers and all committee and board members.
2.3 We expect our suppliers, contractors (and those they sub-contract work or services to)
and other organisations working on our behalf, or on our premises to have their own
safeguarding policy and procedures or to adhere to our own.
3. Our approach
3.1 The safeguarding of adults and children involves different legal frameworks, policies,
and practices due to the unique vulnerabilities and needs associated with each
group.
3.2 All Aspire Oxfordshire colleagues have a duty to act upon and report actual, suspected
or allegations of abuse.
3.3 Our approach reflects the statutory guidance where we operate. It meets legislative
and regulatory requirements, including those set out in (but not limited to)
• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• The Equality Act 2010.
3.4 This policy applies to children and young people including young people who are pregnant,
leaving care or have been in a secure youth establishment that live in our properties or use
our services.
3.5 Aspire Oxfordshire recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s business and that
anyone can witness or become aware of a child or young person being at risk
3.6 Our safeguarding children and young people work is underpinned by six key principles.
• Child-Centred Approach: The best interests of the child should be the primary
consideration in all actions and decisions.
• Prevention and Early Intervention: Proactive measures should be taken to
prevent harm and address concerns at an early stage.
• Partnership and Collaboration: Collaboration among agencies and
professionals is crucial to safeguarding children effectively.
• Empowerment and Participation: Children should be empowered to express
their views, and their participation should be actively encouraged.
• Accountability and Responsibility: Individuals and organisations involved in
child safeguarding are accountable for their actions and decisions.
• Respect for Diversity and Equality: Safeguarding practices should respect and
celebrate diversity, treating all children with dignity and respect.
3.7 We recognise the emotional impact on staff of recognising and reporting safeguarding
concerns. Employee support will be available through their line managers.
4. Key terms and definitions
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4.1 A child or young person within scope of the policy is anyone who has not yet reached
their 18th birthday, as defined under the Children Act 1989, irrespective of
circumstances and including unborn children.
4.2 Abuse and Neglect (within the context of safeguarding children and young people)
refers to any intentional act or failure to act that causes harm, injury, or distress to a
child or young person. It can take various forms, including physical abuse, emotional
or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Abuse may be a single incident or
a pattern of behaviour over time.
4.3 More information on the categories of abuse and types of harm can be found under
Appendix A.
4.4 Abuse cannot be excused for any cultural or religious reason and should always be
reported.
4.5 Abuse may also include Violence Against Women and Girls which refers to crimes
predominantly, but not exclusively, experienced by women and girls. A full definition is
included in the VAWG guidance note.
5 Key responsibilities
5.1 Reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns
5.2 We respond to safeguarding concerns, incidents and allegations promptly in a
considered and proportionate manner.
5.3 We understand and work in line with Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
(OSCP) procedures, ensuring that safeguarding concerns are reported in line with
local arrangements.
5.4 We do not assume that someone else will pass on information critical to keeping a
child or young person safe and should share the information with relevant authorities
when appropriate.
5.5 We will report any incidents of abuse that we suspect are a criminal offence to the
Police. We will treat any disclosures of actual historical abuse in the same way as an
allegation, disclosure or suspicion of current child abuse.
6. Partnership working
6.1 We work in partnership with lead agencies and relevant partners, to respond to
suspicions or incidents of abuse or make safeguarding enquiries in accordance with
statutory procedures. Where appropriate, Aspire Oxfordshire colleagues will support
and participate in Local Authority safeguarding investigations and make referrals to the
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) as appropriate.
6.2 We investigate reported incidents ensuring we do not compromise Police or Local
Authority investigations.
6.3 We understand information sharing, joint working and communication are essential in
keeping people safe and we work to build and maintain good professional relationships
to support the safeguarding process.
6.4 Where appropriate we will provide or refer the child, or young person to additional
support services.
6.5 We support colleagues to ask questions and challenge referral decisions or actions
they do not agree with.
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7. Recording and sharing of information
7.1 We record incidents and allegations of abuse, harm or neglect, clearly, accurately and
in a timely manner. We record and share information appropriately with other
professionals and statutory agencies that safeguard children and young people.
7.2 Information sharing is permitted when it is necessary to protect a child, or young
person from harm. This includes sharing information between relevant professionals,
agencies and authorities involved in safeguarding. Aspire Oxfordshire aim to strike the
balance between respecting a child, or young person’s privacy and sharing information
to ensure their safety. Where there is a concern that a child or young person may be
suffering or is at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation their safety must be the overriding priority.
7.3 We maintain accurate records of safeguarding activities to document actions taken to
respond to actual, suspected or allegations of abuse, harm or neglect.
8. Children affected by domestic abuse
8.1 The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as occurring where the victim
and perpetrator are over 16 years of age. Abusive behaviour directed at a person
under 16 years of age would be dealt with as child abuse rather than domestic abuse.
However, the Act defines a child as a victim of domestic abuse if:
• They see, hear, or experience the effects of domestic abuse
• They are related to a person carrying out domestic abuse or the victim of domestic
abuse.
8.2 The Act defines a child being related to a person if the
• Person is a parent of, or has parental responsibility for, the child, or the
• Child and the person are relatives.
9. Prevent
9.1 The Government Prevent programme highlights that some children or young people
may be vulnerable to radicalisation and involvement in terrorism. Prevent is the
Government’s strategy to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, in all
its forms. Prevent works with individuals and communities by using voluntary early
intervention to encourage them to challenge extremist and terrorist ideology and
behaviour.
9.2 Aspire Oxfordshire recognises that it plays a key role in supporting children or young
people connected to our homes and services who may be at risk of radicalisation.
9.3 We believe that community engagement is essential, and we will work closely with
local voluntary and community groups as well as Local Authorities and the Police to
meet their duties under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to prevent people
from being drawn into terrorism.
10. Safeguarding Learning
10.1 Raising awareness is a key part of our approach to preventing abuse and neglect from
occurring. Aspire Oxfordshire utilise a range of approaches to raise awareness,
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amongst colleagues, residents and clients, with regards to safeguarding issues and
action they should take if they have concerns. This includes awareness campaigns
and communications through various channels, training and cascading good practice.
10.2 Robust mandatory training on safeguarding children and young people is provided to
ensure colleagues are aware of indicators of abuse or neglect and how to raise and
respond to safeguarding concerns. This is in place to ensure they have the skills and
knowledge required to effectively safeguard children and young people at risk of harm,
abuse or neglect. Training is provided through a mixture of e-Learning and tutor-led
workshops and is based around the competencies required for each role. The Local
Authority Safeguarding Board runs Safeguarding Children training which is delivered
locally and can often be accessed free of charge. The completion of mandatory
safeguarding training is regularly monitored for compliance. Training is supported by
management.
10.3 Aspire Oxfordshire is committed to learning from incidents in order to continuously
improve our safeguarding work. Good practice and lessons learned from safeguarding
incidents will be shared regularly across the organisation.
11. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
11.1 Aspire Oxfordshire recognises that, in some circumstances, children and young people
who have protected characteristics may be at greater risk of abuse or neglect, or of
experiencing barriers to being able to access the right support. Children and young
people have the right to be protected from abuse, no matter what their background,
circumstances or personal characteristics.
11.2 Our approach to safeguarding prevents discrimination and disadvantage by ensuring
that a person’s value, beliefs and culture are considered. This ensures no individual is
discriminated against on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origins, sex,
disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, martial or civil partner status,
pregnancy, unrelated criminal activities, illness or any other matter that may cause a
person to be treated with prejudice.
11.3 We provide all residents and clients with the information they require, in a format to
meet their individual needs, using clear language which is easy to understand.
12. Whistleblowing
12.1 Aspire Oxfordshire have a robust Whistleblowing Policy in place for colleagues to use
if they suspect a child or young person is being abused by an Aspire Oxfordshire
colleague, where there is a failure to respond appropriately to allegations of abuse, or
where staff have concerns that a colleague or superior is responsible for the abuse.
There are clear lines of reporting for whistleblowing concerns, including routes to use if
colleagues feel unable to report directly to their line manager or if they are concerned
that appropriate action has not been taken in relation to a concern already raised
12.2 We will provide support and supervision for employees, creating a safe environment in
which they feel able to report safeguarding issues, including where they have concerns
about the behaviour of another Aspire Oxfordshire employee in line with our
Whistleblowing Policy
13. Dealing with allegations against colleagues or volunteers.
13.1 If an allegation relates to the action or inaction of an Aspire Oxfordshire colleague or
volunteers we respond in a way that is fair to the individual allegations have been
made, but we prioritise the safety of the child at risk of abuse, harm or neglect. We
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meet our legal responsibilities as an employer, to refer any colleague or volunteer who
poses a threat to adults at risk of harm or children or young people to the relevant
authority.
13.2 We ensure that allegations regarding inappropriate conduct of colleagues, in or outside
the workplace, are investigated thoroughly and with urgency, through the Disciplinary
and Grievance policies and the policies of the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s
Partnership (OSCP).
14. Safe Recruitment
14.1 We meet our responsibilities in the safe recruitment, selection and vetting of
colleagues by using the Disclosure and Barring Service and undertake any other preemployment screening checks as appropriate.
15. Legislation and Regulation
• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation Guidance
• Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking: National Referral Mechanism
• Oxfordshire Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Policy & Procedures
• Local Adult Safeguarding Board policies
• Data Protection Act and General Data Protection Regulation
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021
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Appendix A:
Definitions
1. Child
Anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, as defined under the Children Act
1989, irrespective of circumstances and including unborn children.
2. Safeguarding Duty
The local authority have a duty to promote and safeguard the welfare of children in
their area. This involves identifying needs, assessing risks, providing services, forming
safeguarding partnerships and generally taking appropriate actions to protect children
from harm, abuse, and neglect.
3. Abuse and neglect
Abuse is the intentional, or unintentional actions that cause harm, or put a child at risk
of harm.
Neglect involves the failure to meet a child’s basic needs, affecting their health and
development. This includes care, supervision, or basic needs, leading to a child’s
physical or emotional harm.
4. Physical Abuse
Inflicting physical harm to a child including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, hairpulling, biting, misuse of medication (e.g. over- sedation), unauthorised or unlawful
restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.
5. Sexual abuse
Involvement of a child in sexual activities, exploitation, or exposure to inappropriate
sexual behaviour. This includes rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment,
inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography,
subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts.
6. Emotional (also known as Psychological) Abuse
Any act or treatment which may diminish a child’s sense of identity, dignity and selfworth. Includes threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation,
blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying,
or isolation.
7. Domestic Abuse
Exposure to violence or abusive behaviour within the family, affecting the child directly
or indirectly. Children can witness domestic abuse in a variety of ways and this can
have many negative physical and emotional effects. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021
states that children are a victim of domestic abuse in their own right if they witness,
hear or have an awareness of domestic abuse happening.
8. Online Abuse
Harassment, bullying, or exploitation occurring through online platforms, including
social media and other digital communication.
9. Discrimination
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Unfair treatment based on factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or disability,
negatively impacting a child’s self-esteem and development.
10. Exploitation
Taking advantage of a child for personal gain, including forced labour, child trafficking,
or involvement in criminal activities.
Other definitions
11. Child in Need (Section 17):
A child who needs additional support and intervention to ensure their health and
development or to protect them from harm. Local authorities have a duty to assess and
provide appropriate services for children in need, collaborating with parents and other
agencies. Usually connected to a Section 17.
12. Child Protection (Section 47):
Child protection measures are invoked when there are significant concerns about the
child’s safety and well-being, necessitating more robust interventions to prevent harm.
Involves thorough assessment of the risks and a child protection plan is put in place to
address concerns and ensure the child’s safety. Usually connected to Section 47 and
Section 31 (Care Order).
13. Think Family:
Think Family recognises and promotes the importance of a whole-family approach with
services working with both adults and children to take into account family
circumstances and responsibilities. Early help aims to prevent problems from
escalating and to improve outcomes for children and families. Early help can include a
range of services such as parenting support, health services, educational support, and
community resources. It involves working collaboratively with families to identify their
needs and provide tailored support to address those needs effectively
14. Contextual Safeguarding:
Contextual safeguarding is an approach to safeguarding children and young people
that considers the wider environmental factors that may be present in a child’s life. This
includes understanding the contexts in which abuse and exploitation occur, such as
peer groups, schools, communities, and online environments. The aim is to identify
and address risks beyond the family setting, recognizing that children and young
people can be influenced by various external factors that impact their safety and wellbeing.
15. County Lines:
Criminal exploitation and drug trafficking involving exploitation of vulnerable adults,
children and young people who are coerced and manipulated into criminal activities
involving the movement of illegal drugs
16. Self-harm
Self- harm is when a person hurts themselves intentionally. This is often a way of
coping with difficult feelings or situations, painful memories or trauma. Self-harm can
present in many forms including cutting, pinching, burning, hitting or punching oneself
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and hair pulling (not an exhaustive list). Excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs and
people putting themselves into harmful situations, where they may be subjected to
physical or sexual abuse, can also be considered a type of self-harm.
17. Suicide:
Suicide involves a person intentionally ending their own life. Suicidal feelings can
range from a person having fleeting or general thoughts of ending their own life, right
through thinking of or planning ways to end their own life.
18. Prevent:
Prevent is the Government’s strategy to stop people from becoming terrorists or
supporting terrorism in all its forms. It works with individuals and communities by using
voluntary early intervention to encourage them to challenge extremist and terrorist
ideology and behaviour. The Government Prevent programme highlights that some
children or young people may be vulnerable to radicalisation and involvement in
terrorism.
19. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):
This involves procedures that intentionally alter or injure female genital organs for non medical reasons. The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 makes it illegal to practice
FGM in the UK, or to take girls who are British Nationals or permanent residents of the
UK abroad for FGM, whether or not it is lawful in another country. UK communities at
risk of FGM include Kenyans, Somalis, Sudanese, Sierra Leoneans, Egyptians,
Nigerians and Eritreans. Those from non-African communities that are at risk of FGM
include Yemeni, Kurdish, Indonesian and Pakistani women.
20. Forced Marriage:
Forced marriage occurs when one or both individuals do not consent to the marriage
and are coerced into it through physical, emotional, or psychological pressure. It is a
violation of human rights and is considered a form of abuse.
21. Honour-Based Abuse:
Honour-based abuse refers to incidents or crimes committed to protect or defend the
honour of a family or community. This can include physical violence, emotional abuse,
and even murder. It is often linked to cultural or religious beliefs and is used to control
the behaviour of individuals, particularly women and girls.
22. Domestic Servitude:
Domestic servitude involves forcing individuals to work in private households under
conditions that violate their human rights. This can include long hours, little or no pay,
and restrictions on their freedom. It is a form of modern slavery and exploitation.
