What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
Safeguarding means:
- Providing a safe environment for children and young people to learn and develop
- Identifying and responding to any ‘early help’ needs of children and families
- Identifying children and young people who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, and taking appropriate action to ensure they are kept safe in our school/setting, at home and the community
- Maintaining a culture of vigilance and an attitude of ‘it could happen here’.
Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.
What is Child Protection?
Child Protection is part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.
Documentation
The school pays full regard to DfE guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ September 2024. We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works in the school who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult including e.g. volunteers and staff employed by contractors. Safer recruitment practice includes scrutinising applicants, verifying identity and academic or vocational qualifications, obtaining professional and character references, checking previous employment history and ensuring that a candidate has the health and physical capacity for the job. It also includes undertaking interviews and, where appropriate, ISA and Disclosure Barring Service checks.
Nominated Safeguarding Officer
| Orchard School | Southwold School | Hoxton Garden School |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Stephen O’Brien (Headteacher) | Ms Ruth Grover (Headteacher) | Ms Rachael Carr (Headteacher) |
Other senior safeguarding leads who can also be contacted:
| Orchard School | Southwold School | Hoxton Garden School |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Zammedin Siddique | Ms Linda Hanley | Ms Jessie De Veer |
| Ms Felicity Headen |
Other contacts in relation to concerns including any concerns over those named above:
- Ms Rachel Davie (Executive Headteacher)
- James Gowland (Chair of Governors)
Safeguarding Policies
Safeguarding Policy September 2024 Orchard
Safeguarding Policy September 2024 Southwold
Safeguarding Policy September 2024 Hoxton Garden
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024
Safeguarding Leaflets
Safeguarding Leaflet for Parents
Safeguarding Leaflet for Visitors and Volunteers