Safeguarding
If you have any concerns about a child please report them to either Mr Robert Birtwhistle (Head Teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead), or Mrs Alison Dunford (Deputy Head and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead), or Mrs Heather Clayton (Assistant Head Teacher and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) or Mrs Rachael Cooke (Teacher and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead).
If you want to report a concern directly to Social Services, please call the Children’s Hub on 01429 284284. If you do this, you must tell a Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible after your call. If you want to make an anonymous referral, you can also call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or make a referral online https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/report-abuse/ .
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or if you believe a crime has been committed (e.g. Sexual Exploitation, Radicalisation, Female Genital Mutilation, Forced Marriage), call the Police. If you do this, you must tell a Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible after your call. After reporting your concerns, always remember to ask for an update on the concern/s you have – check that something has been done. It may not be appropriate to give you specific details, but you need to satisfy yourself that appropriate action has been taken.
If you have any concerns about an adult in school, you must report this immediately to Mr Robert Birtwhistle (Head Teacher). Do not discuss your concerns with anyone else or try to investigate them. Mr Birtwhistle will report your concerns to Mr Phil Curtis, the Local Authority Designated Officer (01642 527413), who will determine what action follows. If the complaint involves the Head Teacher, then you must inform the next most senior member of staff (Mrs Alison Dunford) and the Chair of Governors.
REMEMBER – Safeguarding children is EVERYONE’S responsibility.
