Safeguarding at Haywards Farm School

At Haywards Farm School we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the children in our care. To ensure that we can deliver on this commitment, all our staff undertake continuous professional development and training in this area. Details of this can be found in our Child Protection & Safeguarding Policies. Staff are trained in looking out for signs of abuse and neglect. Staff will report any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who will decide on the most suitable course of action.  All adults who work in school have a responsibility to read and understand all safeguarding policies.

What is Safguarding?

It might be difficult to accept, but every child can be hurt, put at risk of harm or abused, regardless of their age, gender, religion, ethnicity or socio-economic group.  Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:

-protecting children from maltreatment

-preventing impairment of children’s health or development

-ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.

-taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes and “the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm - is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.” Working together to Safeguard Children (HM Government 2018) 

What constitutes a child protection concern?

Abuse is a deliberate act of ill-treatment that can harm or is likely to harm a child or young person’s safety, well-being and development. Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. Neglect of a child or young person also constitutes abuse and can be defined as failing to provide or secure for a child or young person the basic needs of physical safety and well-being. It is important to remember, however, that abuse may not necessarily fall easily into these categories, and can be difficult to ‘spot’.

What you can do:

IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT ANY OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR CARE, PLEASE CONTACT

ALEX WALSH (HEADTEACHER) OR EMILY COVELL TO REPORT THESE CONCERNS IMMEDIATELY

If your concern is out of school hours or falls during the school holidays, please contact:-

· West Berkshire Children’s Social Care Telephone: 01635 503090

Email: child@westberks.gov.uk or The Local Police on 111 or The NSPCC on 0808 800 5000

Useful websites:

NSPCC

http://www.nspcc.org.uk

 

Childline

https://www.childline.org.uk

 

West Berkshire Safeguarding

http://www.westberks.gov.uk/safeguarding

 

Parents Protect!

http://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/

 

Child Exploitation and Online Protection

http://ceop.police.uk/