Oasis Safeguarding Statement of Intent
Oasis Charitable Trust is wholly committed to ensuring that all children and adults at risk who engage with Oasis activities across the Oasis group through its subsidiaries (Oasis UK, Oasis Community Learning, Oasis College, Oasis Community Partnerships, Oasis Aquila Housing and STOP THE TRAFFIK), are cared for in a safe and secure environment. To fulfil this commitment, a number of safeguarding arrangements are in place.
Policy and Procedures
We will ensure all policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding children are up to date and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023. The policies are accessible to all staff through the Oasis Zone and Academies Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Policies and procedures are reviewed and revised by the Safeguarding & Mental Health Team on a regular basis and ratified by the Oasis Community Learning Board of Trustees
Please view the full Safeguarding policy.
OCL Board of Trustees Responsibilities
As delegated by the Board of Trustees, the Oasis Group Chief Executive is the lead for Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk and has oversight of the Oasis Group Policy Committee which reports to the Board on all Safeguarding issues.
Oasis is associated with the local Safeguarding Children Board of each Local Authority in which it operates. Any issues related to safeguarding children will be discussed at these boards as required.
Disclosure & Barring Checks
Oasis meets statutory requirements in relation to Disclosure & Barring Service – all staff and volunteers who work with Oasis who meet the ‘regulated activity test’ (Freedoms Act 2012) is required to undergo an enhanced DBS check prior to employment.
Designated Safeguarding Leads
The Board of Trustees for Oasis Charitable Trust has ultimate responsibility for Safeguarding issues. Operationally, this responsibility within the academies falls to the Principal. As required in Keeping Children Safe the principal appoints a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who oversees the operational application of safeguarding and child protection with the school setting. The DSL is clear about their role, have sufficient time and receive relevant support, and training, to undertake their roles, which includes close contact with outside agencies including social services, the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and relevant health care organisations.
National support is offered to each academy from the National Safeguarding & Mental Health Team.
Training
All eligible staff and volunteers are required to undertake relevant safeguarding training. Within Oasis Community Learning this training takes the form of:
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A mandated on-line training course for all staff each year.
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Inset training at the beginning of each academic year coordinated by the Central Team
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Regular safeguarding updates relating to the contextual issues faced by each academy coordinated by the on-site DSL.
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Mandatory specialised DSL training updated every 2 years
Audit
Oasis has robust audit checklists to ensure that safeguarding systems and processes are working. The audit includes: the monitoring of Academies Single Central Record, the monitoring of Child Protection & Adults at Risk Policies and Procedures including, ‘Allegations against Professionals and Low Level Concerns’ and the monitoring of training for all employees and volunteers, guidance and support. The Oasis audit will be undertaken in October for reporting in January. When necessary, Oasis will share our audits with partner agencies including those relevant Local Authorities.