1. Purpose of This Policy

This policy sets out how The SENDNest safeguards the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults who engage with our services. Safeguarding is central to all work carried out by The SENDNest and is everyone’s responsibility. This policy applies to: all services provided by The SENDNest, all contact with children, young people, and families, all advocacy, consultancy, screening, and advisory work

2. Safeguarding Principles

The SENDNest is committed to:

Acting in the best interests of the child or young person,

Promoting safety, wellbeing, and dignity,

Taking concerns seriously and responding appropriately,

Working in line with UK safeguarding legislation and guidance,

Ensuring safeguarding is proportionate to the nature of services provided,

Safeguarding practice is underpinned by the principles set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children.

3. Role and Responsibility

The SENDNest operates as a sole practitioner service.

The safeguarding lead for The SENDNest is:

The SENDNest practitioner

This role includes responsibility for:

Recognising safeguarding concerns

Responding to disclosures appropriately

Recording concerns accurately

Making referrals where required

Maintaining professional boundaries

4. Scope of Contact With Children and Young People

The SENDNest:

Works primarily with parents and carers

May have indirect contact with children or young people through advocacy, consultation, or screening processes

Does not provide unsupervised care

Does not provide therapy or clinical intervention

Safeguarding responsibilities apply regardless of the level or type of contact.

5. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may include:

Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

Neglect

Exploitation

Exposure to domestic abuse

Serious emotional distress

Concerns relating to mental health or self-harm

The SENDNest recognises that children with SEND may be at increased risk and that safeguarding concerns may present in less obvious ways.

6. Responding to a Safeguarding Concern or Disclosure

If a safeguarding concern arises, The SENDNest will:

Listen carefully and remain calm

Reassure without making promises

Avoid leading questions

Record concerns factually and promptly

Where a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm, appropriate action will be taken without delay.

7. Reporting and Referral

Safeguarding concerns may be escalated to:

Children’s Social Care

The relevant local authority safeguarding team

Emergency services where there is immediate danger

Where appropriate and safe to do so, parents or carers will be informed of concerns unless doing so would place a child at greater risk.

8. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

The SENDNest respects confidentiality but understands that safeguarding concerns override confidentiality where there is a risk of harm.

Information will be shared:

On a need-to-know basis

In line with safeguarding and data protection requirements

With relevant statutory agencies where necessary

9. Safeguarding Adults

The SENDNest recognises that some parents and carers may be vulnerable adults. Concerns relating to adult safeguarding will be responded to appropriately and signposted to relevant safeguarding or support services where required.

10. Professional Boundaries

The SENDNest maintains clear professional boundaries at all times.

This includes:

Appropriate communication

Clear role definition

Avoiding dependency

Acting within the scope of SEND advocacy and consultancy

11. Record Keeping

Safeguarding records are:

Stored securely

Kept separate from general case notes where appropriate

Retained in line with data protection requirements

12. Review of This Policy

This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure: Compliance with safeguarding guidance, continued relevance to the scope of services provided and ongoing commitment to best practice.