Wimbledon High School

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

(including EYFS)

This applies to Junior School, Senior School and EYFS

September 2023

To be read in conjunction with Keeping Children Safe in Education and the GDST Safeguarding Procedures

The Designated Safeguarding Lead with overall responsibility across the whole school is:

Ben Turner, Senior Deputy Head

Emergency DSL Out of Hours contact: 07798 764458

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

^{* denotes specialist training as a Sexual Misconduct Liason Officer}

The Core Safeguarding Group**

** ^{the Core Safeguarding Group meets regularly with the Pastoral Leadership Team and with each other every half term to discuss safeguarding trends and cases.}

1. Policy Statement

1.1 Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

1.1.1 Wimbledon High School (“the School”) is committed to a whole school approach to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All pupils have the right to be protected from all types of harm and abuse, and all school systems, processes and policies should operate with the best interests of the child at their heart. This Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (“this Policy”) forms a fundamental part of our approach to providing excellent pastoral care to all pupils, including young people who may be over the age of 18 years.

1.1.2 This Policy and its implementation procedures set out the arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the School. They have been prepared in compliance with, and with regard to:

• The Education Acts
• Education (Independent Schools Standards) Regulations 2014 (as amended from time to time)
• The Independent School Standards Guidance for independent schools April 2019
• Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees (Charity Commission, June 2022)
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• The Children Act 2004
• What to do if you’re worried a Child is being Abused March 2015
• Working Together to Safeguard Children December 2023 (A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2024
• Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 September 2018
• Information Sharing: advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services May 2024
• DBS Referrals Guidance (as may be amended from time to time)
• National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools September 2022
• Teacher misconduct: regulating the teaching profession March 2014 (and related guidance)
• Use of Reasonable Force in Schools July 2013
• Preventing and Tackling Bullying July 2017
• Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools November 2018
• Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) January 2024
• Prevent Duty Guidance December 2023, Channel Guidance December 2023, and Prevent duty guidance for those with safeguarding responsibilities September 2023
• The use of social media for online radicalisation July 2015
• Teaching Online Safety in School January 2023
• Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people UKCIS December 2020
• Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education 2019
• When to call the police: guidance for schools & colleges NPCC
• Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges March 2022

1.1.3 The School recognises and acts upon the legal duties set out in the above statutes, regulations and guidance, to protect its pupils (and staff) from harm, and to co-operate with other agencies in carrying out those duties and responding to safeguarding concerns.

1.1.4 This Policy is used in accordance with locally agreed inter-agency procedures, and specifically in accordance with Merton local safeguarding partner guidance, including the local criteria for action and protocol for assessments (see para 11.3 for contact details). The School will ensure that its safeguarding arrangements take into account local procedures and practice, including local criteria for action and protocol for assessment.

1.1.5 This Policy is addressed to all members of staff and volunteers at the School (temporary and permanent). Adherence to this Policy is mandatory for all staff and volunteers and its use is not subject to discretion. This Policy applies whenever staff or volunteers are working with pupils, including where this is away from the School, for example at another institution, on school visits and trips, as well as sporting and cultural activities.

1.1.6 This Policy is available to all parents, staff and volunteers on the School’s website. A paper copy of this Policy is also available to parents upon request to the School office.

1.1.7 Pupils are taught about how to keep themselves and others safe both on and offline, including how to adjust their behaviour to reduce risks, keep themselves safe and build resilience; and are made aware of this Policy through the PSHE programme and other means of sharing information appropriate to their context, age and understanding, within a broad and balanced curriculum.

1.2 Creating a Culture of Safeguarding

1.2.1  The School recognises that safeguarding covers much more than child protection, and so this Policy will operate in conjunction with the GDST Safeguarding Procedures (which itself incorporates the staff Code of Conduct), and other related policies and procedures. These cover areas including equal opportunities; Health and Safety; First Aid; educational visits; anti-bullying; behaviour management; drugs and alcohol; information sharing; online safety (including mobile technology, social media and filtering and monitoring); Fundamental British Values and preventing radicalisation and violent extremism. Such policies are available from the School on request.

The School takes seriously its responsibility to promote and nurture the mental health and well-being of all its pupils and staff. This is reflected in its policies and procedures for pastoral care and the School’s GROW (PSHE) programme. 

1.2.2

1.2.2 ‘Safeguarding’ is broader than ‘child protection’. As well as protecting children from harm, ‘safeguarding’ widens the responsibility to preventing harm and promoting the welfare of children. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children as:

• Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge
• Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online
• Preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• Promoting the upbringing of children with their birth parents, or otherwise their family network through a kinship arrangement, whenever possible and where this is in the best interests of the children
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in line with the outcomes set out in the Children’s Social Care National Framework.

Where a child is suffering significant harm, or is likely to do so, action will be taken to protect that child. Action will also be taken to promote the welfare of a child in need of additional support, even if they are not suffering harm or at immediate risk. The School recognises the importance of children receiving the right help at the right time to address risks and prevent issues escalating, the importance of acting on and referring the early signs of abuse and neglect, keeping clear records, listening to the views of the child, reassessing concerns when situations do not improve, sharing information quickly, and challenging inaction.

1.2.3 Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. Everyone who works with our pupils should make sure that their approach is child-centred (that is, that they consider at all times what is in the best interests of the child).

1.2.4 As well as ensuring that the School’s policies and procedures support its safeguarding responsibilities, the School will work with pupils and their families, and contribute to inter-agency working, in line with the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. This includes providing a co-ordinated offer of early help when additional needs of children are  contributing to inter-agency plans to provide additional support to children subject to child protection plans.

We are committed to working in partnership with parents, Social Services Departments and diverse communities, to continuously develop and improve the safeguarding culture within our School.

1.2.5 Having these safeguards in place not only protects and promotes the welfare of children but also it enhances the confidence of our staff, volunteers, parents/carers and the general public.

The School has systems to:

• Prevent unsuitable people working with pupils;
• Identify pupils who are at risk of and/or are likely to suffer significant harm and take appropriate action, and promote the welfare of pupils in need of additional support;
• Promote safe practice and challenge poor and unsafe practice;
• Protect students and staff from online risks; these include online safety education and training, policies and procedures governing the use of IT, and procedures to manage any incidents that occur;
• Provide filtering and monitoring in line with the guidance issued by the Department for Education in their filtering and monitoring standards;
• Deal with issues of confidentiality, information sharing and consent;
• Ensure that staff do not, through their actions, place pupils at risk of harm, or place themselves at risk from an allegation of harm (by providing guidance on areas such as 1:1 tuition, sports coaching, conveying by car, inappropriate electronic communication). Relevant guidance can be found in the GDST Safeguarding Procedures (Part A Section 3: Code of Conduct).

1.2.7 The School encourages the pupils in its care to raise any concerns that they might have and ensure that these are taken seriously. The School also encourages pupils to contribute their own ideas, appropriate to their age and understanding, about how their safety and welfare could be further improved.

1.2.8 All staff are required to adhere to the ICT Acceptable Use Agreement, and specifically to ensure that any images taken of pupils are appropriate and stored and managed safely.

1.3 Implementation Procedures

The School has implementation procedures to assist staff and volunteers when handling safeguarding concerns.

Information on these procedures is available to all staff and volunteers at the School and the procedures must be followed at all times.

1.4 Early Years Foundation Setting

1.4.1 This Policy applies to the School’s provision for the Early Years Foundation Setting (‘EYFS’). The identity of and contact details for the Designated Safeguarding Lead/s with responsibility for safeguarding within this setting are set out at the head of this policy and in para 11.1 below.

1.4.2 Throughout the setting all persons in the EYFS are required to adhere to the ICT Acceptable Use Agreement on the use of mobile phones, cameras or other digital recording devices: that is, that personal digital recording devices must not be used for taking, editing or transferring images or videos of pupils.

1.4.3 Safeguarding training for staff in the EYFS will include guidance on identifying signs of possible abuse and neglect (such as significant changes in a pupil’s behaviour, deterioration in wellbeing, physical indications, comments which give cause for concern, inappropriate behaviour from practitioners, or any reasons to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting), and on how to respond in a timely and appropriate way to such signs or to inappropriate behaviour in other members of staff or any other person working with children (EYFS Statutory Framework 3.24).

1.5  Children potentially at greater risk of harm

1.5.1 Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Physical Health Issues

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or certain medical or physical health conditions can face additional safeguarding challenges both online and offline, including particular vulnerability to child on child abuse. Staff must be alert to the fact that additional barriers can exist when recognising abuse and neglect in this group of children. These may include:

• Assumptions that indicators of possible abuse such as behaviour, mood and injury relate to the child’s condition without further exploration;
• Being more prone to peer group isolation or bullying (including prejudice-based bullying) than other children;
• The potential for children with SEND or certain medical conditions to be disproportionately impacted by behaviours such as bullying, without outwardly showing any signs;
• Communication barriers and difficulties in managing or reporting these challenges; and
• Cognitive understanding – being unable to understand the difference between fact and fiction in online content and then repeating the content/behaviours in school or the consequences of doing so.

To address these additional challenges, such children may require extra pastoral support and attention, alongside any appropriate support for communication. Their additional vulnerabilities should also be particularly carefully considered in situations where the use of reasonable force may be needed. Any reports of abuse involving children with SEND will require close liaison with the DSL and SENCO.

1.5.2 Children who are lesbian, gay, bi or trans (LGBT)

Being LGBT is not in itself an inherent risk factor for harm. However, children who are LGBT or perceived to be LGBT can be targeted by other children and risks can be compounded where such children lack a trusted adult. Staff should therefore endeavour to reduce the additional barriers faced and provide a safe space for them to speak out or share their concerns.

1.6 For information on children who need a social worker, children absent from education, elective home education, looked after children and care leavers see the Safeguarding Procedures.

1.7 Private Fostering

2. Aims

2.1 Our aims are to:

2.1.1 Create an environment in the School which is safe and secure for all pupils.

2.1.2 Encourage our pupils to establish satisfying relationships within their families, with peers and with other adults.

2.1.3 Encourage children to develop a sense of autonomy and independence.

2.1.4 Work with parents to build their understanding of and commitment to the welfare of all pupils.

2.2 In order to fulfil these aims the Head will take the necessary steps to ensure that:

2.2.1 All staff (including supply and temporary staff), governors and volunteers receive training in safeguarding children and an explanation of the systems within the School which support this as part of their induction. This includes:

• the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (which includes whistleblowing procedures) and GDST Safeguarding Procedures (which incorporates the staff Code of Conduct)

• Part 1/Annex A of Keeping Children Safe in Education (and Annex B for those who work directly with children)

• The School’s behaviour policy

• The safeguarding response to children who go missing from education

• The identity and role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead(s)

• Online safety

2.2.2 All staff, governors, volunteers and the Head are trained in child protection (including Prevent awareness, online safety training, the local early help process, the referrals process and how to manage a report of child on child sexual violence or sexual harassment) regularly (in line with local safeguarding partner requirements), and receive safeguarding and child protection updates as required, but at least annually. Safeguarding training must be integrated, aligned and considered as part of the whole school safeguarding approach and staff training programme. The Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) must receive the required updated child protection and Prevent training at least every two years (as set out in Annex C of Keeping Children Safe in Education)

2.2.3 The School adheres to the GDST’s Recruitment Policy and guidance (available on the GDST staff intranet and from the School on request) and safer recruitment procedures (found in the Safeguarding Procedures Part B Section 5). Procedures are in accordance with the Independent School Standards Regulations and include ensuring that at least one member of any recruitment panel involved in all stages of the recruitment process has undertaken the appropriate training in Safer Recruitment, and carrying out all required checks on the suitability of all staff and volunteers to work with children and young people in accordance with the guidance and regulations set out at paragraph 1.1.2. Appropriate supervision arrangements are put in place if staff start work before their DBS disclosure has been obtained, and in all cases a Barred List Check and Prohibition Order check (if applicable) will have been undertaken. Relevant staff are also asked to confirm that they do not meet the criteria for disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 and the 2018 Regulations.

2.2.4 The School obtains assurance that appropriate child protection checks are carried out and procedures apply to any staff or volunteer of another organisation who work with the School’s pupils on another site (for example, in a separate institution).

2.2.5 Appropriate checks are carried out on external visitors coming onto the school site, depending on their business with the school and level of contact with children. Where relevant, this will include an assessment of the suitability, educational value and age appropriateness of any activities or material to be delivered. Further details can be found in the school’s Visiting Speakers Protocol.

2.2.6 The School carries out the mandated checks on the suitability of all people who serve on our School Governing Board in accordance with the guidance and regulations set out at paragraphs 1.1.2 and in accordance with GDST policy. The required checks on Trustees (as the proprietors) are carried out centrally by the GDST.

2.2.7 The school will refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) anyone who has harmed, or poses a risk of harm, to a child where:

• the harm test is satisfied in respect of that individual;

• the individual has received a caution or conviction for a relevant offence, or if there is reason to believe that the individual has committed a listed relevant offence; and

• the individual has been removed from working (paid or unpaid) in regulated activity, or would have been removed if they had not left (this includes suspension or deployment to another area of work that is not regulated activity)

The referral will be made as soon as possible after the resignation, removal or redeployment of the individual in accordance with the procedural guidance at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-barring-referrals-to-the-dbs. In cases involving teaching staff, the School will also consider whether it would be appropriate to refer the matter to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) who may decide to prohibit the individual from teaching.

2.2.8 All School staff are alert to signs of abuse and neglect, and all staff know to whom they should report concerns or suspicions of abuse or neglect.

2.2.9 All School staff keep themselves updated on safeguarding issues and child protection procedures by accessing advice, guidance and training as appropriate to their role.

2.3 This Policy is compatible with and meets all applicable requirements of Merton local safeguarding partners. The school ensures that it has positive communication with the local safeguarding partners to ensure compliance with local protocol and access to relevant support. The local safeguarding partners can be contacted through the Local Social Services Department (Children’s Services) “Social Services”. Their contact details are set out in paragraph 11.3 below.

3. Responding to Safeguarding and Child Protection Concerns

3.1 Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. School staff are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating. School staff have a responsibility to identify children who may be in need of extra help or who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm. All staff then have a responsibility to take appropriate action, working with other services as needed.

3.2 Any concern, allegation or incident of abuse must be referred to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.   Staff should not assume that a colleague or another professional will take action and share information that might be critical in keeping children safe. They should be mindful that early information sharing is vital for effective identification, assessment and allocation of appropriate service provision. All concerns, discussions and decisions made and the reasons for those decisions should be recorded in writing. If in doubt about sharing information or recording requirements, staff should discuss this with the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Fears about sharing information must not be allowed to stand in the way of the need to promote and protect the safety of children. 

3.3 If staff have concerns about a child (as opposed to a child being in immediate danger or at risk of harm – see para 3.5 below) they will need to decide what action to take. All staff should be prepared to identify children who may benefit from early help, that is, support as soon as a problem emerges. Such problems should be discussed in the first instance with the Designated Safeguarding Lead. The early help process may also involve sharing information with other professionals and contributing to an early help assessment.

3.4

Any child may benefit from early help, but staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for a child who:

• Is disabled or has certain health conditions and has specific additional needs
• Has special educational needs (whether or not they have a statutory Education, Health and Care plan)
• Has a mental health need
• Is a young carer
• Is bereaved
• Is frequently missing/goes missing from care or from home
• Has returned home to their family from care
• Is a privately fostered child
• Is missing education, or persistently absent from school, or not in receipt of full-time education
• Has experienced multiple suspensions, is at risk of being permanently excluded from schools, colleges and in Alternative Provision or a Pupil Referral Unit
• Is at risk of ‘honour’-based abuse such as Female Genital Mutilation or Forced Marriage
• Is viewing problematic and/or inappropriate online content (for example, linked to violence), or developing inappropriate relationships online
• Is showing signs of being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour, including gang involvement and association with organised crime groups, county lines, or serious violence (including knife crime)
• Is at risk of modern slavery, trafficking, sexual and/or criminal exploitation
• Is at risk of being radicalised or exploited
• Has a parent or carer in custody, or is affected by parental offending
• Is in a family circumstance presenting challenges for the child, such as drug and alcohol misuse, adult mental health issues and domestic abuse
• Is misusing alcohol and other drugs themselves

 3.5 If a child is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, this must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will make a referral to children's social care and/or the police immediately (see section 5.12). It is not the responsibility of the School to investigate suspected or alleged abuse; this is the role of the Police and Social Services.

3.6 What is Child Abuse?

Abuse is a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Harm can include ill treatment that is not physical as well as the impact of witnessing ill treatment of others. This can be particularly relevant, for example, in relation to the impact on children of all forms of domestic abuse, including where they see, hear or experience its effects. Children may be abused in a family or in an institution or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others. Abuse can take place wholly online, or technology may be used to facilitate offline abuse. Children may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children. Abuse, neglect and safeguarding issues are rarely standalone events that can be covered by one definition or label. In most cases multiple issues will overlap with one another.

The categories and definitions listed below are drawn from Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children:

3.6.1 Physical abuse – a form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates or deliberately induces, illness in a child.

3.6.2 Emotional abuse – the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone.

3.6.3 Sexual abuse - involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.  The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities such as involving children in looking at or the production of sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate way or grooming a child in preparation for abuse. Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate online abuse. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. The sexual abuse of children by other children is a specific safeguarding issue in education.

3.6.4 Neglect - the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy, for example, as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

• provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment);
• protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger;
• ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers);
• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment;
• provide suitable education

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

3.6.5  Child sexual exploitation (CSE), child criminal exploitation (CCE) and forms of so-called ‘honour based’ abuse, including female genital mutilation (FGM) are child abuse, and domestic abuse and attempts to draw children into violent extremism or serious violent crime should also be treated as safeguarding issues. Further information on these areas can be found in the Safeguarding Procedures. If a teacher discovers that an act of FGM appears to have been carried out on a girl under the age of 18 the teacher must report this to the police.

3.6.6 Sharing nude and semi-nude images is a child protection issue. Even if explicit material is sent or elicited without malicious intent the consequences are serious and put those involved at risk of serious harm. Having or sending explicit material on digital devices is also a criminal offence for those under 18. Pupils are taught about this as part of their internet safety education. The School takes incidences of sharing nude and semi-nude images extremely seriously, and deals with them in accordance with child protection procedures, including reporting to the police.

3.6.7 Who are the abusers? - abusers can be parents or carers, siblings or members of the extended family, neighbours, teachers, strangers or other pupils; in short, an abuser could be anyone.

3.6.8 Child on child abuse: all staff should also recognise that children are capable of abusing other children, and that this can happen and must be addressed whether it occurs inside school, outside school or online. Even if there are no reports, it does not mean it is not happening, it may be the case that it is just not being reported. For this reason, it is important that staff are alert to the signs of child on child abuse and that pupils feel able to report incidents, knowing they will be treated seriously. Child on child abuse is most likely to include, but is not limited to:

• bullying (including cyber, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying)
• abuse in intimate personal relationships between children (sometimes known as ‘teenage relationship abuse’)
• physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing physical harm (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages physical abuse)
• sexual violence, such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages sexual violence)
• sexual harassment, such as sexual comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual harassment, which may be standalone or part of a broader pattern of abuse
• causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent, such as forcing someone to strip, touch themselves sexually, or to engage in sexual activity with a third party
• consensual and non-consensual sharing of nudes and semi-nude images and or videos (also known as sexting or youth produced sexual imagery),
• upskirting, which typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without their permission, and
• initiation/hazing type violence and rituals (this could include activities involving harassment, abuse, or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group and may also include an online element)

It is more likely that girls will be victims of child on child abuse and boys perpetrators, but all child on child abuse is unacceptable and will be taken seriously. Child on child abuse should be recognised as abuse and challenged as such. A zero tolerance approach will be taken whereby it is never passed off as ‘banter’, ‘just having a laugh’, ‘part of growing up’ or ‘boys being boys’. This can lead to a culture of unacceptable behaviours, an unsafe environment for children and at worst children accepting this as normal and not coming forward to report it. The School seeks to minimise the risk of such abuse by ensuring that it is clear to all members of the school community that it is not tolerated, and by educating pupils as part of the PSHE programme about healthy and respectful relationships, the wider societal factors (such as sexist stereotypes and language), and how to recognise, report and respond to child on child abuse.

Any concern about child on child abuse must be reported to the DSL. Allegations will be promptly and thoroughly investigated, recorded and treated according to their gravity, in line with the School’s anti-bullying or behaviour policy. The threshold for dealing with an issue of pupil behaviour or bullying under the safeguarding procedure is, subject to local specifics as in any other cases, when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. In such cases the School’s response will include referral to local authority children’s social care or the police. Victims, perpetrators and any other child affected will be supported within the pastoral care structure, taking account of their views and feelings, and support may include counselling where appropriate. All children involved will be treated as ‘at risk’. Further information can be found in the Safeguarding Procedures.

3.6.9 Contextual safeguarding: safeguarding incidents and/or behaviours can be associated with factors outside the school and can occur between children outside the school. All staff should consider the context within which such incidents and/or behaviours occur. It is important to provide as much information as possible as part of the referral process. This will allow any assessment to consider all the available evidence and the full context of any abuse.

3.7 Signs of abuse

All School staff members should be aware of indicators of abuse, neglect and exploitation, understanding that children can be at risk of harm inside and outside school, inside and outside of home and online. Exercising professional curiosity and knowing what to look for is vital for the early identification of abuse and neglect so that staff are able to identify cases of children who may be in need of help or protection.

The following may help staff to be aware of possible signs of abuse - There are further sources of information such as the GDST Safeguarding Procedures, What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused and the NSPCC website. However, such lists are not exhaustive - if staff members are unsure, they should always seek advice and report concerns even where signs/indicators are not present. Staff should also be alert to behaviours or circumstances that put children at risk of harm, such as drug taking, alcohol misuse, serious violence, radicalisation and consensual and non-consensual sharing of nude and semi-nude images and/or videos.

(There may be other signs of abuse specific to female genital mutilation, and to radicalisation of young people. These are described in the Safeguarding Procedures.)

3.7.1 Physical Abuse

• Unexplained injuries/burns

• Untreated injuries

• Bruises/abrasion around the face

• Bi-lateral injuries e.g. two bruised eyes

• Bite marks

• Bruising abrasions to lips, cheeks, outer ear

3.7.2 Emotional Abuse

• Excessive overreaction to mistakes

• Continual self-deprecation

• Excessive rocking, thumb sucking, hair twisting

• Extreme compliance/aggression

• Drug, alcohol and substance misuse

• Significant peer relationship difficulties

  3.7.3 Sexual Abuse

• Sexual awareness inappropriate to age, including provocative sexual behaviour

• Self-harm

• Pregnancy

• Sexually transmitted diseases

• Sudden changes in behaviour or school performance

• Fear of undressing for gym

• Depression/withdrawal

• Drug, alcohol, substance abuse

3.7.4 Neglect

• Constant hunger, tiredness and/or poor personal hygiene

• Untreated medical problems

• Destructive tendencies

• Social isolation

• Poor self-esteem and/or relationship with peers

• Excessive rocking, hair twisting, thumb sucking

3.7.5 Children absent from education

A child missing or persistently absent from an education setting is a potential indicator of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Staff should treat prolonged or repeated absence, or particular patterns of absence, with no satisfactory explanation, as a potential safeguarding issue and take action accordingly. Procedures are detailed in the GDST Safeguarding Procedures.

3.7.6 Mental Health

All staff should be aware that mental health problems can, in some cases, be an indicator that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering, abuse, neglect or exploitation. Only appropriately trained professionals should attempt to make a diagnosis of a mental health problem. Staff are however well placed to observe children and identify those whose behaviour suggests that they may be experiencing a mental health problem or be at risk of developing one It is also important that staff are aware how adverse childhood experiences can have a lasting impact on children’s mental health, behaviour and education. If staff have a concern about a child which is also a safeguarding concern, immediate action should be taken following the procedures in this Policy.

4. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

4.1 The School has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead and deputies in each Key Stage to contact in their absence. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is a member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team with the necessary status and authority to take lead responsibility for child protection matters (including online safety). This responsibility cannot be delegated. The School will ensure that the Designated Safeguarding Lead[s] [is/are] given the time/cover, funding, training, resources and support to fulfil their role.

During term time, the Designated Safeguarding Lead and/or a deputy will always be available (during school hours) for staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns. Adequate and appropriate cover will be arranged for any out of hours/out of term activities. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will ensure that arrangements for cover are communicated clearly to staff.

4.1.1 be responsible for ensuring that all cases of suspected or actual child protection concerns are dealt with in accordance with the guidance and regulations set out at paragraphs 1.1.2;

4.1.2 refer cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the local Social Services Department in accordance with  procedures, and work with other agencies in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children;

4.1.3 receive Prevent awareness training; provide advice and support, and make appropriate referrals through the Channel programme;

4.1.4 take lead responsibility for online safety (as outlined in the Online Safety Policy)

4.1.5 ensure that he is aware of the latest national and local guidance and requirements and will keep the Head, staff and volunteers informed as appropriate;

4.1.6 receive appropriate training in child protection matters and interagency working, to include both national and local bodies, at least every two years, and in addition to formal training, update their knowledge and skills at regular intervals and at least annually, in order to keep up with developments relevant to the role. Deputy DSLs will be trained to the same level as DSLs;

4.1.7 ensure that the Head, staff and volunteers have access to and understand their role as appropriate in the child protection procedures, including but not limited to: part-time staff, supply staff, peripatetic staff, newly appointed staff, newly qualified staff, before/after school care staff, boarding staff, gap year students, volunteers, catering staff, cleaning staff and caretakers;

4.1.8 act as a source of advice and support within the School and co-ordinate action regarding referrals in relation to both children and allegations against staff.

4.1.9 submit a termly safeguarding report to the School Governing Board (copied to the Compliance and Pastoral Manager at Trust Office)

5. Responding to Disclosures of Abuse

5.1 Children are more likely to be abused by someone they know and trust than by a stranger. Staff members are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. Staff should also be aware that children may not feel ready or know how to tell someone that they are being abused, exploited, or neglected, and/or they may feel embarrassed, humiliated, or threatened. This should not prevent staff from having a professional curiosity and speaking to the DSL if they have concerns about a child. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members should always take action in the best interests of the child, and consider how best to build trusted relationships with children which facilitate communication.

5.2 Staff and volunteers should make themselves available to reassure the pupil that what they are saying is being taken seriously and without criticism, and should respond in a supportive, calm manner, avoiding asking detailed questions. The role of the staff member or volunteer is to listen, record and report; not to investigate. A pupil should never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting any form of abuse and/or neglect. No pupil should ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report. Furthermore, consideration should be given to language and cultural needs, as for example talking about sensitive subjects in a second language can make the experience more traumatic. Advice should be sought if necessary to support children from diverse cultural backgrounds. However, potential harmful practices should never be overlooked on the basis of cultural sensitivity. Staff and volunteers should also take care to ensure that their behaviour and actions do not place pupils or themselves at risk of harm.

5.3 If a pupil reports abuse from another pupil or pupils, staff should follow the procedures in this section. All children involved, whether a potential perpetrator or victim, will be treated as being ‘at risk’. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will liaise with local agencies in relation to handling any such cases which arise. Further guidance can be found in the GDST Safeguarding Procedures (Part A Section 1). A bullying incident will be regarded as a child protection concern where there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. See the Anti Bullying Policy.

5.4 Immediate Response

If a disclosure is made, the member of staff or volunteer should:

5.4.1 allow the pace of the conversation to be dictated by the pupil;

5.4.2 ask open questions which encourage the pupil to talk such as “can you tell me what happened?”

5.4.3 accept what the pupil says and do not ask for further detail;

 5.4.4   acknowledge how hard it was for them to tell you and show by voice tone and/or facial expression that you are taking their concerns seriously;

5.4.5   note carefully any clearly visible external signs of possible injury or neglect (but note paragraph 5.5.4 below);

5.4.6   reassure the pupil that they have done the right thing, that it is not their fault, and explain whom you will have to tell (the Designated Safeguarding Lead) and why.

5.5   The member of staff or volunteer should not:

5.5.1 burden the pupil with guilt by asking questions such as “why didn’t you tell me before?”

5.5.2 interrogate or pressure the pupil to provide information;

5.5.3 ask any potentially leading questions, as this may impact on any potential case brought to court;

5.5.4 undress the child or examine clothed parts of the child’s body in an attempt to determine the nature of any such injuries/neglect;

5.5.5 criticise the alleged perpetrator, this is someone they love;

5.5.6 promise confidentiality (see paragraph 5.6 and 5.7);

5.5.7 make promises that they cannot keep such as “I’ll stay with you all the time” or “it will be alright now”;

5.5.8 put words in the child's mouth (i.e. finish their sentences);

5.5.9 jump to conclusions or speculate about what happened or might have happened, or make accusations;

5.5.10 show an overly emotional reaction, such as expressing disgust, shock or disbelief;

5.5.11 attempt to investigate the allegations.

5.6 If a pupil confides in a member of staff or volunteer and requests that the information is kept confidential, staff/volunteers must not make promises about confidentiality. Staff must tell the pupil sensitively that they have a responsibility to tell the named Designated Safeguarding Lead so that the child can be helped to stay safe and feel better.

5.7 In every case, the member of staff/volunteer should consider whether the pupil is able to provide consent for the information to be shared and if so, seek to obtain that consent in accordance with the GDST Safeguarding Procedures relating to information sharing and consent. If the pupil does not consent, the member of staff/volunteer should explain that they need to share the information with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and reassure them that the information will only be disclosed to other people who need to know. The member of staff/volunteer should refer to the GDST Safeguarding Procedures for further information and guidance.

5.8 The School recognises that a child who is abused may feel helpless and humiliated, may blame themselves, and find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self-worth. We recognise that the School may provide the only stability in the lives of children who have been abused or who are at risk of harm. The School has age appropriate systems in place for children to express their views and give feedback so that their wishes or feelings will be taken into account when determining what action to take and what services to provide. However the child’s wishes or feelings cannot override the duty to refer suspected abuse to children’s social care or police.

5.9 The School will provide continuing support to a pupil who has disclosed abuse through promoting a caring and safe environment within the School and encouraging self-esteem and self-assertiveness through the curriculum and through relationships. In doing so, the School will act in accordance with guidance from the relevant authorities to ensure that, for example, legal proceedings are not compromised.

5.10 All allegations involving staff or volunteers will be discussed with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO ) before any investigation takes place. In borderline cases, these discussions can be held without naming the individual.

In any case of immediate risk or serious harm to children, the police shall be informed at the outset.

5.11 Recording Information

Staff/volunteers should:

5.11.1 make a record of the disclosure or concern, including the date, time, place and context, and what has actually been said (wherever possible using the child's exact words, even if they seem childish, rude or inappropriate), not assumption or interpretation.

5.11.2 clearly distinguish between fact, observation, allegation and opinion;

5.11.3 record any observed injuries and bruises;

5.11.4 note the non-verbal behaviour and the key words in the language used by the pupil (do not translate into “proper terms”);

5.11.5 alert the Designated Safeguarding Lead, either verbally or through the use of CPOMS;

5.11.6 appreciate that their records may be used in criminal proceedings or disciplinary investigations.

5.12 Reporting Concerns

5.12.1 Any concerns about pupils must be discussed with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (or in their absence one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads) as soon as possible and at latest by the end of the school day.

5.12.2 Where the disclosure identifies a safeguarding issue, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will report the disclosure to the local Social Services Department within 24 hours. In the most serious cases, and if there is evidence that a crime has been committed, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will contact the police.

5.12.3 The school’s procedures differentiate between safeguarding children who have suffered significant harm and those who are in need of support from one or more agencies. In cases where a child is not suffering or at risk of suffering serious harm, but rather is in need of additional support, an inter-agency assessment will be undertaken to determine the most appropriate action.

5.12.4 Whilst the Designated Safeguarding Lead will usually decide whether to make a referral,in exceptional circumstances, such as in an emergency or a genuine concern that appropriate action has not been taken, anyone can refer their concerns to children’s social care directly (see section 9 below). If a member of staff makes a referral independently, they must inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible thereafter.

5.12.5 If, at any point, there is a risk of immediate serious harm to a child a referral should be made immediately. If the child’s situation does not appear to be improving the staff member with concerns should press for re-consideration. Concerns should always lead to help for the child at some point.

5.12.6 For pupils over the age of 18, safeguarding concerns are considered in the context of concerns for their welfare as well as the welfare of others who may be affected and who may be children. It may be necessary to refer such concerns to the local safeguarding adult services in place of, or in addition to children’s social care.

6 Allegations against staff

Schools must follow the procedures for handling allegations made against staff, supply staff, contractors and/or volunteers set out in Part 4 of Keeping Children Safe in Education. The aim is to deal with any allegation quickly and in a fair and consistent way which provides effective protection for the child and at the same time provides appropriate support for the person who is the subject of the allegation.

6.2 Where a safeguarding-related allegation or cause for concern is made against any member of staff, supply staff, contractor or volunteer (including the Designated Safeguarding Lead), the matter should be reported immediately to the Head (unless the allegation relates to the Head or there is a conflict of interest in reporting the matter to the Head). The Head should not speak to the member of staff who is the subject of the allegation at this point. In the absence of the Head the allegation should be reported to the Director of Legal and Risk Assurance at Trust Office (or in their absence the Chief Executive).

6.3 Where a safeguarding related allegation or cause for concern is made against the Head or there is a conflict of interest in reporting the matter to the Head, it should be reported immediately to the Director of Legal and Risk Assurance at Trust Office (or in their absence the Chief Executive) without informing the Head. The Director of Legal and Risk Assurance will in turn inform the member of the GDST Council who is the Safeguarding Lead.

6.4 Where a safeguarding related allegation or cause for concern is made against a member of Trust Office staff, the matter should be reported immediately to the Director of Legal and Risk Assurance at Trust Office (or in their absence the Chief Executive).

6.5 In all cases immediate contact should be made with the LADO to discuss the allegation. The Legal and People Departments at Trust Office must also be notified. Before contacting the LADO, the school should conduct basic enquiries in line with local procedures to establish the facts and to help them determine whether there is any foundation to the allegation, being careful not to jeopardise any future police investigation. A decision as to how to proceed and eventually whether or not to suspend a member of staff or volunteer will be taken by the Head following consultation with the LADO (and, in the most serious cases, the police) and the GDST. In borderline cases discussions with the LADO can be held informally and without naming the School or individual. Where an allegation relates to a member of supply staff provided by an agency, the agency will be fully involved. Discussions should be recorded in writing, and any communication with both the individual and the parents of the child/children agreed. Suspension is not an automatic response and the decision will be taken according to the circumstances of each particular case, giving due weight to the views of the LADO, and guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children. The decision as to whether or not to suspend the Head is taken by the GDST alone (having consulted the relevant authorities).

6.6 In considering the available options, including redeployment of the member of staff, supply staff or volunteer, the LADO, GDST and the Head will ensure that their primary concerns are the safety and wellbeing of the pupils, together with the need for a full and fair investigation which will be led by the LADO, the police, or the school under the LADO’s guidance.

6.7 The School will refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) anyone who has harmed, or poses a risk of harm, to a child, as outlined in para 2.2.6 above. The referral will be made as soon as possible, and ordinarily on conclusion of investigation, when the individual is removed from regulated activity. In cases involving teaching staff, the School will also consider whether it would be appropriate to refer the matter to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) who may decide to prohibit the individual from teaching.

A referral to the TRA should be drafted and submitted by the Head of school after consultation with the Legal and HR departments at Trust Office who can provide support and guidance on whether matters meet the threshold for referral. The obligation to refer cases to the TRA is at an employer’s discretion taking into consideration whether the conduct is sufficiently serious. The test of seriousness is whether an individual’s behaviour is fundamentally incompatible with being a teacher. Each case will turn on its own facts but the GDST’s broad approach (in line with guidance from the TRA) is that referrals should be made if a teacher is dismissed for gross misconduct and that conduct breaches Teachers’ Standards or raises doubts about a suitability to work with children.

Schools should keep a record of all referrals that are made, as well as of any borderline cases where the decision was ultimately made not to refer, together with the reasons for those decisions.

6.8 Where required to do so, we will provide information to the DBS or TRA in respect of a member of staff or volunteer in accordance with our legal duty.

6.9 Communications with the School community about safeguarding-related allegations shall only be made following consultation with the LADO and any investigating authorities. There are restrictions on the reporting or publishing of allegations against teachers (which apply up to the point where the accused person is charged with an offence, or the DfE/TRA publish information about an investigation or decision in a disciplinary case). Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality and guard against unwanted publicity. The Legal Department will advise on the statutory reporting restrictions on publication of details of allegations.

6.10 If there has been a substantiated allegation against a member of staff, supply staff or volunteer, the School will work with the LADO to determine the next steps to be taken with regard to the individual as well as whether there are any improvements to be made to the School’s procedures or practice to help prevent similar events in the future.

6.11 Low level concerns

6.11.1 A low-level concern about the behaviour of a member of staff is one where such behaviour does not meet the ‘harm threshold’ and yet appears to be inconsistent with the staff code of conduct or professional boundaries.

6.11.2 It is crucial that any such concerns should be shared as soon as reasonably possible. This will maintain an open and transparent culture within the School, reinforcing its ethos and values; ensure that adults working in the School act within professional boundaries; and enable concerning, problematic or inappropriate behaviour to be identified and addressed early, minimising the risk of abuse.

6.11.3 Low-level concerns about a member of staff may be shared initially with the DSL or the Head. If the former, the DSL should inform the Head of any concern in a timely manner. Low-level concerns about the Head should be reported to the Director of Legal and Risk Assurance (or in their absence the Chief Executive). Staff are encouraged to self-refer where, for instance, they have found themselves in a situation which could be misinterpreted, or on reflection feel they may have compromised the School’s expected professional standards. Reports about supply staff and contractors will be notified to their employers so that any potential patterns of inappropriate behaviour can be identified.

6.11.4 The Head (or a nominated deputy) will investigate the concern, speaking to the person who raised the concern, the individual involved, and any witnesses. The evaluation of the concern should always be undertaken in consultation with the LADO. The Legal Department at Trust Office should be notified of low level concerns referred to the LADO, and can also provide advice if needed. The action to be taken will be determined by and proportionate to the nature of the incident, whether the report can be substantiated and whether any pattern of behaviour appears to be emerging. Support will be offered where appropriate and where needed to enable the member of staff in question to correct their behaviour in future.

6.11.5 The Head must record all low-level concerns in writing, including details of:

• The concern,

• The context of the report,

• The name of the individual sharing the concern (requests for anonymity should be respected as far as reasonably possible);

• Action taken and the rationale for this.

6.11.6 Records of low-level concerns must be reviewed periodically in order to identify any patterns of concerning, problematic or inappropriate behaviour. Should a pattern of behaviour be identified, the School will decide on a course of action depending on the nature of the concerns. This will include referral to the LADO if the harm threshold is met. The review of records will also consider whether these indicate any wider cultural issues in the School which should be addressed by revising school policies or providing further training.

6.11.7 Further guidance on low level concerns can be found in Keeping Children Safe in Education part 4, or section B6 of the Safeguarding Procedures.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

7.1 The GDST and the School have separate procedures which detail the roles and responsibilities of all staff, volunteers and governors in relation to safeguarding.   Every member of staff and every volunteer who assists the School should:

7.1.1 protect pupils from abuse

7.1.2 follow the GDST and the School's safeguarding policy and read sections of Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2020) appropriate to their role, including updates to this guidance

7.1.3 know how to access and implement the procedures

7.1.4 know the identity of the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and who to speak to in the absence of the Designated Safeguarding Lead

7.1.5 report all safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (subject to paragraphs 5.12.4 and 6.3 of this Policy)

7.1.6 keep a record of any safeguarding concern, conversation or incident (in accordance with paragraph 5.11 of this Policy)

7.1.7 undertake appropriate training as detailed in 2.2.2 above

8. Referring Concerns to Social Services

8.1 The decision to make a referral is a serious matter and requires careful judgement. Such decisions should usually only be taken by the Head or by the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will liaise with the Head as appropriate, following consultation with Social Services. In cases of serious harm, or if a crime may have been committed, the police will be informed from the outset. However, anyone can refer their concerns to children’s social care directly (see section 9 below).

8.2 Children’s social care assessments should consider where children are being harmed in contexts outside the home, so it is important that schools provide as much information as possible as part of the referral process. This will allow any assessment to consider all the available evidence and enable a contextual approach to address such harm.

8.3 Parental consent is not a requirement for referrals to statutory agencies. However, schools should aim to gain consent of individuals or their parents, depending on age and the circumstances, to share information about them with Social Services and other agencies. Schools should be mindful of situations where to do so would place a child at increased risk of harm. Schools may share information without consent, if it is not possible to gain consent, it cannot be reasonably expected that a school will gain consent, or if to gain consent would place a child at risk. Advice to determine the nature of any discussions to have with parents should be sought from Social Services in advance of making a referral. Advice can also be obtained from the Legal Department at Trust Office.

8.4 In the case of concerns about a pupil being at risk of radicalisation, staff should follow safeguarding guidelines, reporting to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. This may lead to making a referral through the Channel programme. See the Promotion of British Values and Prevention of Radicalisation policy, linked here.

8.5 In accordance with paragraph 5.12.2 of this Policy, where the disclosure relates to actual abuse or the suspicion of abuse, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will report the disclosure to Social Services within 24 hours.

8.6 In the event of the School making a referral to Social Services, they should agree with the recipient of the referral what exactly the child and parents will be told, by whom and when. The Designated Safeguarding Lead should ask to be kept informed of the timing of the strategy discussion between Social Services and the police, which will decide whether and how to investigate. The Designated Safeguarding Lead should be prepared to contribute to the strategy discussion.

8.7 The local authority should make a decision, within one working day of a referral being made, about the type of response that is required and should let the referrer know the outcome. The referrer should follow up if this information is not forthcoming. A record of each contact with Social Services, including the name of the officer with whom the School has spoken, and the date and time of the call, should be kept. If after a referral the child’s situation does not appear to be improving, the referrer should consider following local escalation procedures.

9. Duty to report concerns about the management of safeguarding

9.1 The School recognises that children cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff fail to do so. Staff and volunteers should feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice and potential failures in the School’s safeguarding regime, and feel confident that such concerns will be taken seriously by the senior leadership team. The duty to report concerns about the management of safeguarding is part of the Code of Conduct, and will also be reflected in staff training.

9.2 Where staff or volunteers reasonably believe that safeguarding concerns exist, or where they have concerns regarding the management of safeguarding issues, it is their duty to raise concerns.

9.3 The member of staff or volunteer should bring their concerns to the attention of the Designated Safeguarding Lead, or in a case where the concerns relate to the actions or inaction of the Designated Safeguarding Lead, to the Head.

9.4 However, where someone reasonably believes these reporting routes to be inappropriate, or has reported concerns and no action has been taken, they should contact the Director of Legal at Trust Office, refer their concerns to children’s social care directly, or use the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline (see section 11 below for contact details).

10. Monitoring and Review

10.1 The working of this Policy will be monitored by the Designated Safeguarding Lead in the School who will report as required to the Head.

10.2 The GDST, as governing Trust of the School, will undertake an annual audit visit and other periodic checks in order to monitor the effectiveness of the School’s implementation of these policies and procedures, together with a review of the safeguarding incidents that have arisen and how they were managed. 

10.3 The annual review will be reported back to the GDST’s Safeguarding Committee, which in turn reports to the Education and People Committee. These committees monitor safeguarding compliance. A member of the Safeguarding and Education and People Committees, who is also a member of the GDST Council, is nominated by Council as ‘Safeguarding Lead’ to take leadership responsibility for safeguarding at organisational level, delegating where appropriate to members of the Senior Management Team. The Health and Safety Committee will also consider the processes in place for promoting the welfare of GDST pupils.

10.4 The Girls’ Day School Trust acknowledges its overall responsibility in ensuring that this Policy is effective in its implementation and meets all current regulatory requirements. An annual review of this Policy and associated procedures, and the efficiency with which associated duties have been and will be undertaken so that any deficiencies or weaknesses can be remedied without delay.

10.5 This policy was last reviewed and updated on 3 July 2024 and will be reviewed again in the event of any significant changes or by September 2025 at the latest. The School’s most recent safeguarding audit visit took place on 23rd & 24th May 2023.

11. Key Contacts

11.1 Mr Ben Turner - Designated Safeguarding Lead & Senior Deputy Head - 020 3123 0854

Email - ben.turner@wim.gdst.net  

Ms Fionnuala Kennedy - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead & Head – 020 8971 0937

Email - fionnuala.kennedy@wim.gdst.net

Mrs Sarah Chittenden- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Acting Head of Junior School – 020 8971 0915

Email - s.chittenden@wim.gdst.net

Mr Edward Griffiths - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Head of Sixth Form

Email - ed.griffiths@wim.gdst.net

Deputy DSL, with focus on medical care & supporting students with anxiety, OCD & eating disorders

Natalie Abraham, Lead Nurse

Local Safeguarding Board Governor - Vicky Brown

11.2 Trust Office – 020 7393 6666 (tel) 020 7393 6789 (fax)

David Boyd (Director of Legal and Risk Assurance)

d.boyd@wes.gdst.net Tel: 020 7393 6649

Poppy Scott Plummer (GDST Council Safeguarding Lead)

c/o Lucy Colegate l.colegate@wes.gdst.net Tel: 020 7393 6666

Legal: LegalDepartmentTrustOffice@UK.GDST.NET Tel: 020 7393 6666

HR: hrdepartment@wes.gdst.net Tel: 020 7393 6666

I&L: innovationandlearning@wes.gdst.net Tel: 020 7393 6666

11.3 Multi-agency contacts

Merton officer, or team of officers

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): John Shelley

LADO Business Support Officer: Jody Khan

John Shelley: 0208 545 3187 or 07814 642 728 If you are sending a LADO referral or your query is LADO related please forward to: lado@merton.gov.uk or securely: lado@merton.gov.uk.cjsm.net.

Address :

MASH Team 12th Floor, 

Merton Civic Centre London Road, 

Morden SM4 5DX 

Telephone/Email/Fax 020 8545 4226 or 020 8545 4227 or 020 8770 5000 (out of hours) 020 8545 4204 (fax) mash@merton.gov.uk

Social Care Services

(Outside Office Hours)

Tel: 0208 770 5000

Access and Assessment Team

Children’s Social Care

Worsfold House

Church Road

Mitcham, CR4 3FA

Tel: 020 8545 4226

020 8545 4227

Email: childrensdayservice@merton.gov.uk.cjsm.net

Sutton LSCB

Tel: 020 87700 4534

Email: suttonlscb@sutton.gov.uk

Wandsworth (Safeguarding Children’s Board)

Tel: 020 8871 6622

Email: wscb@wscb.org.uk

Richmond upon Thames LSCB

Email: lado@richmond.gov.uk.cjsm.net

Karen Neill, Head of Safeguarding Quality and Performance

Tel: 020 8831 6202

Email: k.neill@richmond.gov.uk

Croydon CSCB (Safeguarding Children’s Board)

Department: Children, families and learning

Tel: 020 8726 6400 Ext 62044

Email: contact@croydon.gov.uk

Kingston LSCB

Tel: 020 8547 5004 (Monday to Thursday 0845-1700, Friday 0845 – 1645)

Tel: 020 88770 5000 (at any other time)

Harminder Jaagdev - LSCB Business Manager

Tel: 020 8547 6903

Email: safeguarding.children@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Lambeth LSCB

Tel: 0207 926 4759

lscb@lambeth.gov.uk

Local Authority's designated office or team of officers Tel: 0207 9268508

Referral and Assessment Team:

Tel: 020 7926 6508 (Monday – Friday 0900 – 1700)

Tel: 020 7926 1000 (out of hours)

Hammersmith & Fulham LSCB

Email: hflscb@lbhf.gov.uk

Contact and Assessment Team:

Tel: 020 8753 5392

Family Support and Child Protection Service:

Tel: 0208 753 5534

Kensington & Chelsea LSCB

Tel: 020 7361 3013

Email: socialservices@rbkc.gov.uk

Merton CAMHS:

Service address: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), Birches House, Birches Close, Cricket Green, Mitcham, Surrey. CR4 4LQ

Telephone numbers: •Ward 020 8254 8061

Wandsworth CAMHS:

Service address: ACCESS Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Building 19 Springfield University Hospital 61 Glenburnie Rd London SW17 7DJ

Telephone numbers:

•To make a referral enquiry Tel 020 3513 6631 Fax 0208 672 0831

Kingston CAMHS:

Service address: Woodroffe House, Tolworth Hospital, Red Lion Road, Surrey KT6 7QU

Telephone numbers:

•To make a referral enquiry 020 3513 5183

Local Police:

Police Liason - PC Geoff Gunn 

Email: geoff.gunn@ursulinehigh.merton.sch.uk

Mobile: 07717302875

15 – 23 Queens Road

Wimbledon

SW19 8NN

Main Tel: 101

Emergency Tel: 999

Prevent:
Prevent referrals will be forwarded by the Merton safeguarding partners to the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command 'Prevent and Engagement' Officer for Wandsworth, Merton and Sutton.

NSPCC:

Helpline:

0808 800 5000

18 or under:

ChildLine offers free, confidential advice and support.

Tel: 0800 1111

Whistleblowing helpline

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/report-abuse/dedicated-helplines/whistleblowing-advice-line/

CEOP:

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre

Website: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Contact-Us/

DfE dedicated helpline for non-emergency advice for staff and governors: 020 73407264