Safeguarding & Governance
Safety is the foundation, not a feature.
Eighteen policies — including Safeguarding & Child Protection, Safer Recruitment, Missing from Care and Whistle-blowing — will be in place before Ofsted registration.
Policy Register
The framework, in six parts.
01
Designated Safeguarding Lead
The Registered Manager will act as DSL, with the Director as Responsible Individual under the Children's Homes Regulations 2015 — both holding Level 3 safeguarding training.
02
Safer Recruitment
Enhanced DBS with barred list checks, employment history verification, two professional references, safeguarding interviews and induction before any unsupervised contact.
03
Mandatory Training
Level 3 safeguarding, Prevent, First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Manual Handling and fire safety — refreshed annually and logged by the Registered Manager.
04
Risk Management
A Risk Register reviewed monthly; individual risk assessments within 72 hours of each placement; environmental assessments before first use and annually.
05
Complaints & Incidents
Complaints, Incidents and Missing from Care policies in line with statutory requirements, with serious incidents notified to Ofsted, the placing authority and police.
06
Governance & Accounts
Two-director mutual governance, annual accounts by a qualified accountant, annual CIC report, full asset lock and two signatories on all transactions.
Copies of all policies are available on request.
Connected Minds CIC
Measurable Outcomes
Accountable by design.
Once the home opens, a baseline assessment will be completed for every child within 28 days of placement and reviewed at three, six and twelve months. Progress data will be shared with Buckinghamshire Council's commissioning team on an agreed schedule and included in the annual CIC report.
Year 1 targets — measured once the home opens