Safeguarding
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is everyone's responsibility at New Path Care - and our highest priority above all else.
Safeguarding is everyone's business
At New Path Care, safeguarding is not a policy that sits in a drawer. It is a living, active part of how we operate every day. Every member of staff - from the Registered Manager to support workers and volunteers - has a duty to act on any concern about a child's welfare, without hesitation.
We work within the framework of Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and the Children Act 1989 and 2004. Our Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually and is available to download below.
We are registered with and regulated by Ofsted. Our Ofsted URN is 2824161. We co-operate fully with all statutory agencies and multi-agency safeguarding arrangements in our area.
“Every child in our care has the right to be safe. We take every concern seriously - no matter how small it seems. If something doesn't feel right, we act.”
Who to contact
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL are trained to Level 3 in safeguarding children and are the first point of contact for any safeguarding concern within the home.
Marie Kerr
Registered Manager
Marie holds overall responsibility for safeguarding at Lilly House. She is the primary point of contact for all safeguarding concerns, referrals to statutory agencies, and liaison with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
Tracey Brydson
Responsible Individual
Tracey acts as the Deputy DSL and covers all safeguarding responsibilities in Marie's absence. As the Responsible Individual, Tracey also has oversight of safeguarding governance and policy at organisational level.
How to raise a concern
If you have a concern about the welfare or safety of a child or young person - whether they are in our care or not - please act without delay. You do not need proof to report a concern.
- If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 immediately. Do not wait to speak to a manager.
- Contact our DSL - Email Marie Kerr at safeguarding@newpathcare.org. If she is unavailable, contact the Deputy DSL, Tracey Brydson, at the same address.
- Contact the local authority - If you believe a child is at risk and you cannot reach our DSL, or if your concern relates to a member of New Path Care staff, contact Sefton Children's Social Care directly on 0151 934 4080 (out of hours: 0151 934 0019).
- Contact the LADO - If your concern is about the conduct of a member of staff or volunteer at New Path Care, contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) at Sefton Council: lado@sefton.gov.uk.
- Contact Ofsted - You can report a concern about a regulated children's home to Ofsted directly at www.gov.uk/ofsted or by calling 0300 123 1231.
Speaking up safely
New Path Care is committed to a culture where staff feel safe to raise concerns without fear of recrimination. Our Whistleblowing Policy sets out how concerns can be raised confidentially and what protections apply.
If you are a member of staff with a concern about practice at New Path Care and you do not feel you can raise it internally, you can contact:
- Ofsted - 0300 123 1231 - to report concerns about a registered children's home
- NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line - 0800 028 0340 (free, confidential, available to professionals)
- Protect (formerly Public Concern at Work) - 020 3004 9695 - independent whistleblowing charity
Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership
New Path Care works within the arrangements of the Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP), the statutory multi-agency body responsible for co-ordinating and overseeing arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in Sefton.
Our staff attend relevant training hosted by the SSCP and we follow all local procedures and practice guidance. Further information about the SSCP, including local thresholds and procedures, is available on the Sefton Council website.
Visit the Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership website →
Download our safeguarding documents
Our key safeguarding policies are available to download below. All policies are reviewed annually as a minimum.
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We respond to all referral enquiries within 4 working hours. Our referrals line is monitored 24/7.