At Hall Grove School the safety and well-being of the children is considered to be of paramount importance. 

Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy addresses the importance of ensuring children are able to grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, both at home and school, enabling all children to have the best outcomes. The policy provides clear guidance on the School’s procedures where a child is thought, or known to be, at risk of harm. 

Safeguarding Team

Summary of Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Hall Grove is committed to safeguarding and to promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all members of its community to share this commitment. Within the context of ‘Every Child Matters’ and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, we take account of the need for children being healthy and staying safe. We will take positive action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. The prime concern at all times must be the interests and safety of the pupils. 

All staff (including ancillary, supply staff and volunteers) are aware of our Policy and receive regular training and updates. Staff will refer to the Staff Handbook where details of a Staff Code of Conduct can be found. The policy will be reviewed regularly and will be updated and amended when necessary, and at least annually. 

We follow the procedures and protocols adopted by the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP). Sometimes, when there are concerns about a young person’s welfare, we may need to share information and work in partnership with outside agencies. We will ensure that any concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the young person’s welfare. 

Aims

• To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence.
• To provide an environment in which children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected.
• For children to feel confident and know how to approach adults if they are in difficulty, believing that they will be effectively listened to.
• To raise the awareness of all teaching and non-teaching staff to the need to safeguard children and of staff responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.
• To highlight the need for good levels of communication between all members of staff, and to have means of monitoring children known or thought to be at risk of harm, whilst being very aware of the issues of confidentiality.
• To provide support both for staff who have experienced disclosure and for the pupils who have disclosed.
• To develop and promote effective working relationships with outside agencies, both Social Services and other supportive charities and organisations.
• To ensure that all staff working at Hall Grove have been checked as to their suitability, including verification of their identity, qualifications and Disclosure and Barring Service checks by association.
• To develop a culture of “it could happen here” within Hall Grove.

Anyone worried about a young person’s welfare is required to record their concerns, and any observations or conversations heard, and report to one of the DSLs as soon as possible the same day. They must NOT conduct their own investigation. 

In case of a referral to Surrey Children’s Services, the DSLs make initial contact by telephone within 24 hours of disclosure and communicate the concerns in writing. The DSLs receive specialist training at least every two years. 

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

If concerns relate to the actions or behaviour of a member of staff (which could suggest that s/he is a danger to children) then this must be reported to one of the DSLs in confidence.  The matter will be discussed with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). If the concern relates to one of the DSLs – the matter should be referred to the other DSL who would immediately follow the Surrey procedures. If the concern relates to the Headmaster the LADO should be contacted immediately. A member of staff may contact the LADO direct should (s)he feel unable to speak to either DSL. There are four LADOs covering North West Surrey, and staff would be put through to the LADO on duty. The contact number is 0300 123 1650 (option 3) or email LADO@surreycc.gov.uk. 

Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access (C-SPA)

The Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access (C-SPA) is the single point of contact for reporting concerns about the safety of a child, young person or adult. It aims to improve the safeguarding response for children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect through better information sharing and high-quality and timely responses. The Surrey C-SPA can be contacted on 0300 470 9100 or by email cspa@surreycc.gov.uk. 

It is important to note that ANYONE can make a referral to the LADO (regarding staff) or to the Surrey C-SPA (regarding children). 

Other key contact details:

NSPCC: help@nspcc.org.uk. Tel. 0808 800 5000 

The procedures in the policy apply when children/staff are working away from school, eg field trips, excursions etc and to all Clubs, Activities and Boarding. 

Full policy

Our full policy is available here.