Child Safeguarding & Protection Policy

This policy applies to every child in our care — including neurodiverse children with communication or sensory differences — and to every adult who comes into contact with them at Winta’s Place, including staff, therapists, volunteers, contractors and visiting parents.

• The welfare of the child is always paramount.
• Every child is treated with dignity, respect and consent.
• We listen — including to children who communicate differently.
• We act, promptly, on any concern about a child’s safety.
• We work in partnership with parents and carers.

Safer recruitment practices apply to every role:

• Formal application, interview and reference checks for every hire.
• Police/background checks where the role involves direct child contact.
• Onboarding safeguarding training before any team member is left with children.
• Annual refresher training for the whole team.

• Small class sizes with a 1:4 teacher-to-student ratio.
• Two-adult rule for care activities wherever practical.
• Clear boundaries on physical contact, digital communication and photography.
• Bathroom, changing and personal-care protocols that protect dignity.
• A safe, quiet space every child can use to regulate without judgement.

1. Recognise — any signs of physical, emotional, sexual or online abuse, neglect, bullying, or a child self-disclosing.
2. Respond — listen calmly, take the child seriously, reassure them, do not promise confidentiality.
3. Record — a factual written note, signed and dated.
4. Report — to the Designated Safeguarding Lead the same day, and to relevant authorities where required by law.
5. Review — with parents, professionals and, where appropriate, the child.

The Program Director is our Designated Safeguarding Lead and is the first point of contact for any concern about a child’s welfare. All staff are trained to escalate concerns to this role.

Devices used for learning are supervised and filtered. AI, screen time and personal devices are managed by our team in line with each child’s ILP. We do not share identifiable photographs of children in public marketing without written parental consent.

If you believe a child at Winta’s Place may be at risk of harm, please contact us immediately via WhatsApp or the email address in the box below. Concerns will be handled promptly, confidentially where possible, and always in the child’s interest.