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Oasis Psychology

Safeguarding Policy and Procedure

Oasis Psychology takes safeguarding and child protection extremely seriously. We are committed to protecting the welfare of children and young people and ensuring that concerns about their safety and wellbeing are dealt with appropriately and in line with UK statutory guidance.

This policy applies to all staff, associates, and professionals working under or with Oasis Psychology.

Safeguarding Lead

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Dr Laura Bennett, Clinical Director, Oasis Psychology

  • Deputy Safeguarding Lead: N/A
     The DSL has overall responsibility for safeguarding and ensuring that procedures are followed. All staff and associates must report safeguarding concerns to the DSL as soon as possible.

Safeguarding Procedure

If a child, parent, carer, or professional discloses a safeguarding concern during an appointment or correspondence:

  1. Listen and Reassure

    • Listen carefully and acknowledge what is being said.

    • Reassure them they have done the right thing in speaking up.

    • Do not promise confidentiality – explain you may need to share information with the appropriate professionals to keep the child safe.

  2. Do Not Lead or Investigate

    • Do not ask leading questions.

    • Do not investigate the concern yourself.

  3. Respond Appropriately

    • Take the disclosure seriously.

    • If a child has disclosed, make it clear that they are not in trouble.

    • If the disclosure happens when the child is alone with you, speak with parents/carers only if it is safe to do so.

  4. Explain Next Steps

    • Clearly explain to the family, carer, or professional what will happen next.

  5. Report the Concern

    • Notify the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Dr Laura Bennett) immediately.

    • Contact the relevant Local Authority Children’s Services or Adoption Support Services if the child is already known to them.

  6. Record Keeping

    • Write a factual record of the disclosure as soon as possible, using the child’s own words where appropriate.

    • Sign, date, and securely store the record in accordance with Oasis Psychology’s confidentiality and data protection policies.

How to Report a Safeguarding Risk

  • Immediate danger – If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, call the police on 999.

  • No immediate danger – Contact the relevant Local Authority Children’s Services.

  • Foster care/adopted children – Contact the placing authority (may differ from the local authority where the child lives).

Information about placing authorities and allocated social workers will be collected at referral and stored securely on the child’s file.

When a safeguarding concern is raised by a child not known to Children’s Services, contact should be made with the local authority in which the child lives:

Dorset Children’s Services:

Details of Dorset Children’s Services safeguarding support can be found here:

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/worried-about-a-child

If you have a concern, please contact:

Children's Advice and Duty Service (ChAD) for professionals

Name: Single point of contact for professionals for safeguarding concerns
Tel: 01305228558
Westport House
Worgret Road
Wareham
BH20 4PP

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Children’s Services

Details for BCP safeguarding support can be found here:

https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Children-young-people-and-families/Childrens-social-care/Concerns-about-child-abuse-or-wellbeing.aspx

If you have a concern, please contact:

Children's First Response Hub

First Response Hub opening hours:

  • Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5:15pm
  • Friday, 8.30am to 4.45pm

Out of Hours support 

Contact 01202 738 256:

  • Monday to Friday, from 5pm to 9am
  • all day Saturdays and Sundays
  • all bank holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Hampshire Children’s Services

Details of safeguarding procedures for Hampshire can be found here:

https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/safeguardingchildren/childprotection/reportingabuse

If you have a concern, please contact:

Hampshire Children’ services

0300 555 1384

Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm
Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm 

At all other times, contact the out-of-hours service, tel: 0300 555 1373

Wiltshire Children’s Services

Details of safeguarding procedures for Wiltshire can be found here:

https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/children-young-people-contact

If you have concerns, please contact:

The Integrated Front Door:

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0300 456 0108 

  • Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 5pm and Friday 8.45am - 4pm

Out of Hours Service on 0300 456 0100

  • Monday to Thursday 5.00pm - midnight and Friday 4pm - midnight,
  • Weekends / Bank Holidays 9am - midnight
  • Phones are diverted to the Social Work Standby Service from midnight - 9am (7 days a week).

Somerset Children’s Services

Details of safeguarding procedures for Somerset can be found here:

 https://www.somerset.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/childrens-social-care/#If-you-are-concerned

If you have a concern, please contact:

Somerset Children’s Social Care

0300 123 2224

or visit Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership website

https://sscb.safeguardingsomerset.org.uk/

Additional Support

  • Pan Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership: https://pdscp.co.uk/

  • NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

  • ChildLine: 0800 1111

  • Bullying UK – support for children experiencing bullying

  • Frank – advice about drugs

  • Anti-Bullying Alliance – resources on bullying prevention

  • Think U Know – online safety for children and young people

  • CEOP – advice and reporting on online exploitation

Key Principles

  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

  • The child’s welfare is paramount.

  • Concerns must be passed on without delay.

  • Oasis Psychology does not provide a crisis service.

 

Review Date: 19/08/2025

Next Review: 19/08/2026