We want to be a model of good practice and integrity. Everyone at Oak Hill College is obliged to conduct themselves in keeping with these high standards and to treat others with dignity and respect. Whether you are a current or former student, a current or former member of staff, a member of a local church, or a member of the general public we invite you to report any concerns you may have about a member of the Oak Hill community.
If your concern relates to a child or an adult who may be at risk, and is concerned with their safety or protection from abuse, your concern is urgent and should be reported without delay. A concern can arise when you observe or suspect abusive behaviour, when an allegation is made or disclosed, or where there are indicators (signs and symptoms) of suspected abuse on the victim.
For more information on how safeguarding issues like this are handled and who to contact, see our safeguarding page here. All concerns raised will be investigated thoroughly and action taken in line with Oak Hill College’s safeguarding policies and procedures. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest practical extent. The main exceptions are when the law requires disclosure, or when someone is at risk.
If you discover information which you believe shows serious malpractice, illegal actions, wrongdoing or unacceptable behaviours or practices by members of the Oak Hill College community, we ask you to report it. Your concern could be about things that are happening now, have happened in the past, or are likely to happen in the future.
Please be assured that we want anyone to feel able to communicate openly any concerns they may have so that we can take appropriate action. Regardless of whether the concern was well-founded, we will ensure that no-one properly raising a concern is detrimentally treated for raising it. We take whistleblowing concerns very seriously and will support those who raise them, preserving anonymity where that is practical and appropriate, recognising the courage it can take to raise concerns, and will protect them from victimisation.
To report such a concern, please do one of the following:
- If you are a current student at the College
You may raise the concern with an appropriate outside authority or organisation, for example the police or the Charity Commission.
- If you are a College staff member
They can also be contacted online at https://protect-advice.org.uk/contact-protect-advice-line
- If you are outside the College, whether a former student or staff member, involved at one of our placement churches, or a member of the general public
You have a number of options:
You may raise the concern with an appropriate outside authority or organisation, for example the police or the Charity Commission.
Where you raise a concern, you can expect that we will take it seriously and, as appropriate, investigate the issue, making every effort to honour and preserve confidentiality, keeping you informed about progress, involving relevant authorities, and taking the proper action in order to address the issue.
Please note that for the purposes of monitoring and enhancement, that all concerns that are raised through the above channels will be logged with the HR Manager of the Kingham Hill Trust, whilst still protecting the confidentiality.