At My Oasis we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of our students, striving to ensure that every young person who attends our school remains free from harm and can achieve the best possible outcomes. All staff are responsible for providing a safe environment for our young people to learn. Staff are made fully aware of and familiarise themselves with the staff Code of Conduct, as well as the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and all associated safeguarding polices, such as the Exploitation, Behaviour and Missing from Education policies.
My Oasis has a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Leads who support staff to carry out their safeguarding duties.
The Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL’s) in school are:
Charlotte Lowe- Headteacher
Julia Zielonacka- Business Manager
Sehar Ahmed- PHSE Lead
Our Safeguarding Governor is:
Karen Lowe (retired Deputy Headteacher and DSL)
All schools are expected to play their part in keeping children safe and at My Oasis we are aware of the contribution we make to protect and support students in school. All staff working at My Oasis recognise that a student’s needs are paramount and which is why safeguarding takes precedence within school. Supported by the deputy DSL’s, Charlotte Lowe takes the lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, ensuring DSL staff training is updated every two years.
All staff receive annual safeguarding and child protection training, as well as during their induction and where relevant to their role. Staff also complete Prevent awareness training to ensure they are aware of the associated risks to students in relation to extremism and radicalisation. Similarly, all staff are regularly informed of safeguarding updates or any contextual safeguarding issues which may arise, with safeguarding being a fixed item on staff, SLT and governor meeting agendas. In addition, safer recruitment processes are stringently followed in terms of the recruitment of staff working at My Oasis, with frequent safeguarding audits being carried out by the senior leadership team in school.
A full safeguarding audit was completed between the dates of September 2025- January 2026 by an independent school’s advisor arranged by Wigan Council. This entailed a comprehensive review of all our safeguarding policies and practices within My Oasis, and which resulted in us being awarded the Safeguarding Standard.
All cases of suspected abuse are referred to the relevant Local Authority Safeguarding team for that child and where that child resides. Dependent on the circumstances surrounding the referral and where appropriate, parents and carers will be informed of the referral where appropriate. Similarly, if specific safeguarding concerns arise, students will be referred down the relevant referral pathway, such as the young person being referred to the Channel Programme if concerns about radicalisation come to light. Should any issues arise regarding the conduct of any My Oasis staff member, contact with be made with Wigan’s Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to see if any further action is warranted.
Through our safeguarding policies and procedures, we aim for all students at My Oasis to feel listened to and heard, with their thoughts and feelings being gathered on a regular basis. Student voice is a priority for us in school, not just with regards to safeguarding but in terms of most aspects involved in the running of the school. Students develop strong relationships with staff and are provided with numerous opportunities to offer feedback, for example through surveys, anonymous reporting forms or during their mentoring or therapeutic sessions with staff. Students are also taught a comprehensive PHSE curriculum which covers various safeguarding topics students need to be aware of.
Should any concerns be raised by students or staff, the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policy details clear processes to follow and is explicit on the roles and responsibilities of staff to ensure accountability when safeguarding children. This includes the recording and reporting procedures via the DSL, Early Help or Children’s Social Care (CSC). The DSL will work in collaboration with school staff and individual families when considering any multi-agency assessments or referrals required.
Operation Encompass is a unique Police and Education early intervention safeguarding partnership which ensures that a young person’s school is informed, prior to the start of the next school day, that there has been an incident of Domestic Abuse (DA) to which the child or young person has been exposed, which subsequently might impact on them negatively in school the following day. My Oasis works collaboratively with Encompass, the MASH team and Greater Manchester Constabulary to support families who are victims of domestic violence or abuse.
A nominated member of staff at My Oasis uses any confidential information shared with them about any incidents of DA which have occurred to ensure support can be provided to support the young person and their family. This information remains confidential, only being shared with staff on a need-to-know basis. This valuable initiative enables the school to support the needs of vulnerable pupils immediately after an incident, providing high levels of care, nurture and professional support to the pupil and family.
For further information on Operation Encompass please click on the following link: Home: Operation Encompass
County Lines and Criminal Exploitation
County Lines is a form of criminal exploitation where children and young people are groomed, coerced or manipulated into transporting drugs or money across different areas. This often involves intimidation, violence, debt bondage and emotional manipulation. For further information and support around county lines and criminal exploitation please click the following link: County Lines Support and Rescue | Catch22
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Child sexual exploitation is an illegal activity carried out by adults or even other young people, whereby they use their power to sexually abuse and exploit children and young people. Young people can often be forced or tricked into doing sexual activities with other people, and even with people they thought they were in a relationship with or classed as friends. Please click the following link for further information and support around possible CSE: Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation | The Children's Society
At My Oasis, all staff are trained to recognise the signs and indicators of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and County Lines activity. Any concerns are recorded and reported immediately to the DSL. Where appropriate, referrals are made to Children’s Social Care, the Police, or other relevant safeguarding partners.
Through our PHSE curriculum and therapeutic support offer, students are educated about:
Early Help Offer
Early Help is the support given to a family and young person when a problem initially emerges, with this support being available at any stage in a young person’s life. The DSL in school is here to help with any concerns or questions you may have about your child and the Early Help support available.
Our DSL and the therapeutic support workers in school can offer students and their family support on many different issues, including but not limited to:
All support and advice provided to parents and carers is confidential. However, any concerns relating to the safeguarding of children will always be dealt with in accordance with the schools Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
To support young people and their families, ensuring they remain safe, well and protected from harm, various initiatives have been implemented within school:
Years of Experience
Key Workers
Service & Support Satisfaction
