Safeguarding
- Safeguarding
Safeguarding Leads
Jane Cox
jcox@shapehousedoncaster.co.uk
01302 870003
Jamie Christian
jchristian@shapehousedoncaster.co.uk
01302 870003
Chris Medwell
01302 870003
The Shape House Offer
Shape House Doncaster is an Alternative Provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.
We provide ‘Non-School’ Alternative Provision for children and young people aged 11-16 (KS3/4) on a short term, part-time basis. Placements may run between 12
and 36 weeks, with the child/young person remaining on roll at their school. Any safeguarding concerns raised at Shape House Doncaster must be communicated with schools and commissioners in a timely manner.
Shape House has a robust reporting procedure that promotes effective communication with all partners, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children and young people who access our provision. Shape House delivers a curriculum based around outdoor learning and creative arts. Children and young people will experience activity days and outdoor adventures as part of their provision. All outdoor/adventurous activities have been risk assessed with Shape House using Doncaster’s Exeant system as a robust tool for risk assessing activities and keeping children and young people safe from
harm.
Shape House staff work to promote alternative, compassionate strategies that prioritise dignity and respect over controls and sanctions. We have a zero-restraint policy. Our curriculum is underpinned by Studio 3, low-arousal strategies to deescalate any incidents and regulate emotional wellbeing.
- We follow Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025) (KCSIE)
- We operate in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children
- We are aligned with Doncaster Safeguarding Children Partnership
Shape House Doncaster use CPOMS to record safeguarding incidents and low level concerns, this information can be shared with schools to ensure robust recording processes and consistency.
Our Single Central Record is maintained on CPOMS StaffSafe with robust Safer Recruitment processes aligned with KCSIE.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do.
We are committed to ensuring that all children and young people are safe, supported, and protected from harm.
Designated Safeguarding Leads
Jane Cox – Designated Safeguarding Lead
jcox@shapehousedoncaster.co.uk
01302 870003
Chris Medwell – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
cmedwell@shapehousedoncaster.co.uk
01302 870003
Jamie Christian – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
jchristian@shapehousedoncaster.co.uk
01302 870003
Reporting a Concern
If you are worried about a child:
- Contact our safeguarding team directly
- Contact Doncaster Children’s Services – 01302 737 777
- Or dial 999 in an emergency
Safeguarding Commitment
At Shape House Doncaster, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) hold current Level 3 Safeguarding Children qualifications, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills needed to protect and support children and young people effectively.
As part of the Quality Assurance process required to become and remain an approved provider on the Doncaster Alternative Provision Framework, DSLs and DDSLs must complete both Level 3 Safeguarding training provided by the Doncaster Children’s Safeguarding Partnership and a nationally recognised Level 3 Safeguarding qualification. Shape House Doncaster fully meets these requirements and remains compliant across both standards. Our Level 3 Safeguarding training is refreshed every two years to ensure our knowledge and practice remain current.
In addition to safeguarding qualifications, our DSL and DDSL team have received specialist training in:
- The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) process
- Early Help
- Prevent
- Cyber Security
- GDPR (Data Protection)
- Low Arousal Approaches
This ongoing professional development enables us to provide a safe, supportive and responsive environment for all children and young people who access our services.
Safer Recruitment
At Shape House we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all children and young people by implementing robust safer recruitment practices. The safe recruitment of staff is the first step to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young people who access the provision. Shape House expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Shape House recognises that this can only be achieved through robust procedures, multi-agency working and the recruitment and retainment of competent and motivated staff who share the values of the provision.
As an Alternative Provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Shape House are committed to following safer recruitment processes and procedures, including:
- identifying and rejecting applicants who are unsuitable to work with children and young people.
- responding to concerns about the suitability of applicants during the recruitment process
- responding to concerns about the suitability of employees and volunteers once they have begun their role.
- ensuring all new staff and volunteers participate in an induction which includes child protection.
All staff:
- Have an Enhanced DBS Certificate
- Receive safeguarding training
- Follow a strict code of conduct
At Shape House Doncaster, all staff hold current Level 2 Safeguarding Children training, which is renewed every two years to ensure knowledge and practice remain up to date.
We are committed to continuous professional development (CPD) and recognise the importance of keeping safeguarding at the forefront of our work. As part of this commitment, all staff complete annual safeguarding refresher training and are required to read and sign to confirm they have understood the latest updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), currently the 2025 guidance.
In addition to safeguarding training, all staff maintain current qualifications and awareness in:
- Prevent
- Cyber Security
- GDPR (Data Protection)
- Low Arousal Approaches
Through ongoing training and professional development, we ensure that every member of the Shape House Doncaster team is equipped to create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where children and young people can thrive.