Applies to: Liberty in the Wild Ltd Alternative Provision and any future registered Independent Specialist School provision operated by the company 

Policy Owner: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) 
DSL: Liz Crowford 
Deputy DSL: Kamilla Woodburn-Minott 
Proprietor: Liberty in the Wild Ltd (Directors) 

Review Frequency: Annual or sooner if statutory guidance changes 1. Policy Statement and Legal Framework 

Liberty in the Wild Ltd recognises that children are vulnerable to, and capable of, abusing their peers. We take all forms of child-on-child abuse as seriously as abuse perpetrated by an adult. 

Such behaviour will never be tolerated, minimised or dismissed as banter, part of growing up, or typical behaviour. 

This policy is written in accordance with: 

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) September 2025 

The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (Part 3 – Welfare, Health and Safety) 

The Equality Act 2010 

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) 

Local Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures 

This policy should be read alongside the: 

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy 

Behaviour Policy 

Anti-Bullying Policy 

Online Safety Policy 

SEND Policy 

Staff Code of Conduct 

2. Context of Liberty in the Wild Ltd 

Liberty in the Wild Ltd operates as a small cohort Alternative Provision supporting children with SEND, SEMH needs, EHCPs and trauma backgrounds. Cohorts are intentionally small (maximum 6 learners per session). 

We recognise that trauma, neurodiversity, attachment needs and unmet educational experiences may influence behaviour. However, contextual factors never excuse abusive behaviour. 

Safeguarding responses at Liberty in the Wild Ltd are: 

Trauma-informed 

Victim-centred 

Proportionate 

Robust 

In line with statutory guidance 

3. Definition of Child-on-Child Abuse 

Child-on-child abuse may include, but is not limited to: 

Sexual violence 

Sexual harassment (including online sexual harassment) 

Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) 

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) 

Youth produced sexual imagery 

Upskirting 

Bullying (including cyberbullying and prejudice-based bullying) 

Abuse within intimate personal relationships 

Physical abuse and initiation violence 

Radicalisation 

Gang involvement and County Lines 

Technology-facilitated abuse 

Sexual Violence 

Sexual violence refers to: 

Rape 

Assault by penetration 

Sexual assault 

As defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. 

Sexual Harassment 

Sexual harassment refers to unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that can occur online and offline and may include: 

Sexual comments 

Sexualised language 

Sexual “jokes” 

Sharing of sexual images 

Upskirting 

Unwanted physical contact 

Sexual violence and sexual harassment are never acceptable and will not be tolerated. 

4. Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) 

We adopt the NSPCC definition of Harmful Sexual Behaviour: 

Sexual behaviours expressed by children that are developmentally inappropriate, may be harmful towards self or others, or abusive towards another child or adult. 

Staff may reference Simon Hackett’s continuum model to determine whether behaviour is: 

Developmentally appropriate 

Problematic 

Abusive 

All concerns must be reported immediately to the DSL. 

5. Responding to a Report 

All reports of child-on-child abuse will be taken seriously. 

Staff must: 

Listen carefully and without judgement 

Reassure the child they are being taken seriously 

Not promise confidentiality 

Record the concern immediately 

Report directly to the DSL or Deputy DSL 

Confidentiality and Information Sharing 

The DSL will consider the wishes of the victim in terms of how they wish to proceed. However, where there is risk of harm, Liberty in the Wild Ltd may need to share information with children’s social care and/or the police. 

Information will be shared on a need-to-know basis and in accordance with: 

Data Protection Act 2018 

GDPR 

KCSIE 2025 

Safeguarding records are stored securely on [Insert Safeguarding System] and accessed only by authorised safeguarding personnel. 

6. Risk and Needs Assessment 

Where sexual violence is reported, the DSL will undertake an immediate written risk and needs assessment. 

The risk assessment will consider: 

The protection and support needs of the victim 

The alleged perpetrator 

All other children 

Staff 

Any ongoing risk 

Contextual safeguarding factors 

Power imbalance 

Pattern of behaviour 

Risk assessments are dynamic documents and will be reviewed regularly. 

7. Referral to MASH and Police 

Where a child is at risk of significant harm, a referral will be made to MASH in line with local safeguarding procedures. 

Where a report of rape, assault by penetration or sexual assault is made, the starting point will be that this is reported to the police. 

Whilst the age of criminal responsibility is ten, the principle of reporting remains. 

Liberty in the Wild Ltd will work closely with: 

Children’s Social Care 

Police 

Health professionals 

Other relevant agencies 

Local Authority Contacts: 

Solihull MASH: 0121 788 4300 
Warwickshire MASH: 01926 414 144 (Option 3) 

Solihull LADO: 0121 788 4310 | lado@solihull.gov.uk 
Warwickshire LADO: 01926 742 372 | lado@warwickshire.gov.uk 

Emergency: 999 

8. Managing Risk in a Small Cohort Provision 

Due to the small cohort size, protective measures may include: 

Timetable adjustments 

Supervised transitions 

Modified attendance 

Alternative learning arrangements 

Separation within sessions 

These measures are protective and do not imply guilt. 

9. Ongoing Support 

Liberty in the Wild Ltd recognises that investigations may be lengthy and distressing. 

We will provide ongoing support to both the victim and the alleged perpetrator, regardless of police outcomes, including where cases result in: 

No Further Action (NFA) 

A not guilty verdict 

A conviction or caution 

The fact that an allegation cannot be substantiated does not necessarily mean it was unfounded. 

The safety and wellbeing of the victim will remain central throughout. 

10. Prevention and Safeguarding Culture 

Liberty in the Wild Ltd actively seeks to prevent child-on-child abuse through: 

Safeguarding training for all staff 

Trauma-informed practice 

Relationship and PSHE education 

Weekly safeguarding review meetings 

Clear behaviour expectations 

Promotion of equality and respect 

Encouraging open disclosure 

We operate a zero-tolerance approach to abuse. 

APPENDIX A 

Independent School Standards Compliance Mapping 

Independent School Standard  (WHEN REQUIRED)

ISS Part 3 Paragraph 7 

Safeguarding arrangements compliant with KCSIE 

Whole Policy 

ISS Paragraph 7(a) 

Written safeguarding policy implemented effectively 

Sections 1–10 

ISS Paragraph 9 

Behaviour policy to prevent bullying 

Sections 3 & 10 

ISS Paragraph 10 

Measures to prevent bullying 

Section 10 

ISS Paragraph 11 

Health & safety arrangements 

Section 8 

ISS Paragraph 12 

Supervision of pupils 

Section 8 

ISS Paragraph 14 

Risk assessment policy 

Section 6 

ISS Paragraph 16 

Implementation of risk assessments 

Sections 6 & 8