Our Safeguarding Commitment
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is at the heart of everything we do at Nodera.
**Our Safeguarding Commitment**
Nodera Children's Home is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people in our care. We operate in accordance with:
- The Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
- The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010
- The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
- Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures
All staff complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role before working with young people, and undertake regular refresher training thereafter. Every member of our team — regardless of role — shares a legal and moral responsibility to act promptly and appropriately when they have a concern about a child's welfare.
How We Safeguard Young People
Safeguarding at Nodera is embedded in our culture and daily practice:
Staff Safer Recruitment — every member of our team undergoes an enhanced DBS check, with references, employment history, and qualifications verified before any appointment is confirmed.
Mandatory Training — all staff complete safeguarding training as a minimum, covering physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, child sexual and criminal exploitation (including county lines), domestic abuse, modern slavery and trafficking, FGM, radicalisation (PREVENT), and online/digital abuse.
Supervision and Support — regular supervision ensures concerns are identified early and staff wellbeing is maintained.
Young People's Voice — every young person knows their rights, who they can speak to, and how to raise a concern. Independent Reviewing Officers and Independent Visitors are welcomed.
Information Sharing — we work closely with placing authorities, IROs, virtual school heads, and health professionals to share relevant information promptly and appropriately.
Recording — all safeguarding concerns, incidents, and actions are recorded clearly, accurately, and without delay, and any serious incident is notified to Ofsted without delay.
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Courtney Armstrong
Direct contact details to be confirmed. In the meantime, please use our contact form.
Will lead the home’s day-to-day care, safeguarding, staffing and operations — Subject to Ofsted registration.
Independent Advocacy
Every child in our care has the right to independent advocacy, whenever they need or want it — this is a right, not a privilege to be earned. An advocate is independent of the home and the placing authority, and helps a young person express their views and ensure their rights are upheld, including at Looked After Reviews, in placement decisions, and when making a complaint.
Young people can request an advocate through their key worker, the Registered Manager, their social worker, or directly through an advocacy service:
National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS): 0808 808 1001 (freephone, 24/7) — www.nyas.net
Voice — Advocacy for Children: 0808 800 5792 — www.voiceyp.org
Coram Voice (Always Heard): 0808 800 5792 — www.coramvoice.org.uk
Children's Commissioner for England: 020 7783 8330 — www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
Childline: 0800 1111 — www.childline.org.uk
Raising a Concern
If you have a concern about the welfare of a young person at Nodera — whether you are a professional, a family member, or a member of the public — please do not hesitate to contact us. If a child is in immediate danger, always call 999 first.
Hampshire Children's Social Care — MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub): 0300 555 1384 (24 hours)
Hampshire Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) — for allegations against staff: 023 8062 7600
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (24 hours)
Childline (for young people): 0800 1111
Making a Complaint
Complaints are welcomed and taken seriously at every stage. In the first instance, complaints are directed to our Registered Manager, who acknowledges concerns within 2 working days and responds fully within 28 working days. If you remain unsatisfied, you can escalate to Michael Odoeme, Director of Nodera Care Limited (07753196461, michael.odoeme@noderachildcare.co.uk), who responds within 20 working days.
If you remain unsatisfied following this response, you have the right to refer the matter to:
Ofsted: 0300 123 1231 — enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk — www.ofsted.gov.uk
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO): 0300 061 0614 — www.lgo.org.uk
Children's Commissioner for England: 020 7783 8330 — www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
Every young person is made aware of how to raise a concern from their first day, and may complain independently, with support from their key worker or an advocate, or directly to Ofsted.