Safeguarding
Our commitment to safety and wellbeing​
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At The Wild Ways / Raising a Wild Child & PDA Foundation / The Wildheart Foundation, the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of every child, young person, and family we support is our highest priority.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and vulnerable individuals. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we take seriously our duty to protect those in our care. Our work is grounded in relationship, trust, and careful, proportionate responses that prioritise safety while preserving the dignity and wellbeing of the families we walk alongside.
We understand that children communicate their needs in many ways, and our role is to listen, observe, and respond with care, professionalism, and accountability.
How we keep children and young people safe
We maintain clear safeguarding procedures across all of our services. This includes:
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A designated Safeguarding Lead with overall responsibility for safeguarding
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Safeguarding training for all team members, appropriate to their role
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Clear processes for recognising, recording, and responding to concerns
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Safer recruitment practices, including DBS checks where required
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Ongoing safeguarding supervision and oversight
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Working collaboratively with families and, where necessary, with external safeguarding professionals
Our approach is always to act in the best interests of the child or young person, ensuring their safety and wellbeing remain central.
Our safeguarding approach
Our safeguarding practice is grounded in early support, careful observation, and professional responsibility.
Where concerns arise, we respond proportionately and in line with statutory safeguarding guidance. This may include:
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Monitoring and supporting the child and family
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Recording concerns in line with safeguarding procedures
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Consulting with appropriate professionals
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Making referrals to statutory safeguarding services where required
We aim to maintain trusting relationships while ensuring that safety is never compromised.
Designated Safeguarding Lead
The Designated Safeguarding Lead for The Wild Ways and The Wildheart Foundation is:
Lara Turner
Designated Safeguarding Lead
The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for overseeing safeguarding practice, responding to concerns, and ensuring appropriate action is taken where needed.
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Reporting a safeguarding concern
If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person connected to our services, please contact us:
Email: safe@thewildways.org.uk
All safeguarding concerns are treated seriously, handled sensitively, and responded to in line with safeguarding procedures.
If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, please contact emergency services or your local safeguarding authority.
Our commitment
Safeguarding is not a single action, but an ongoing responsibility. We are committed to creating environments where children and young people feel safe, respected, and supported, and where families can trust that their wellbeing is being held with care and professionalism.
If you’d like to know more about how we’re structured, work with us, or raise a concern, please contact us!
We believe that transparency is part of trust. Thank you for being here.