Safeguarding
Safeguarding
At de Stafford School safeguarding is our highest priority. We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.
This means that we have a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and all staff (including supply staff, volunteers and School Standards Board members) must ensure that they are aware of these procedures. Parents and carers are welcome to read the policy located here.
Sometimes, we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our students are discussed with parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Children can abuse other children. This is generally referred to as peer on peer/child on child abuse and can take many forms. It can happen both inside and outside of school and online. It is most likely to include, but may not be limited to: bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying); abuse in intimate personal relationships between peers; physical abuse;, sexual harassment or sexual violence; non-consensual sharing of nudes and semi nudes images and/or videos; causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent; upskirting; and initiation/hazing type violence and rituals; or coercive control exercised between children both on and offline..
We understand the importance of challenging inappropriate behaviours between children/young people. Downplaying certain behaviours, for example dismissing sexual harassment as “just banter”, “just having a laugh”, “part of growing up”; or not recognising that emotional bullying is as damaging as physical harm to be taken equally seriously, can make school feel an unsafe environment for children. In worst case scenarios, a culture that normalises such abuse leads to children/young people accepting it as normal and creates a barrier to them coming forward to report it. Stopping harm and ensuring immediate safety is our first priority.
If you are concerned about a child’s welfare, parents and students can report this directly using Help@destafford.org.uk.
You can contact Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/ or the NSPCC helpline Report Abuse in Education on 0800 136 663 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) can be contacted directly as below:
- Mrs Rachel Treacher – Designated Safeguarding Lead, Deputy Headteacher
email: rtreacher1@destafford.org.uk
- Mrs Justine McGarvey – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
email:jmcgarvey1@destafford.org.uk
- Mrs Clare Wingrave – School Standards Board Member with responsibility for Safeguarding
email: cwingrave1@destafford.org.uk
If your concerns relate to the actions or behaviour of a member of staff (which could suggest that he/she is unsuitable to work with children) then you should report this to the Headteacher:
- Mr Jeff Place – Headteacher
email: jplace1@destafford.org.uk
For GLF Schools Safeguarding and other policies - please follow this link
Urgent child protection and safeguarding contact numbers
If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999
Surrey Children’s Services
Availability: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Phone: 0300 470 9100
Out of hours phone: 01483 517898 to speak to our emergency duty team.
or
Croydon Children’s Services
• For Urgent Action call the Single Point of Contact 0208 255 2888 – (same day intervention by a social worker)
• For Urgent Action out of Hours call 0208 726 6400 – this is the for the emergency social work service for urgent child protection matters that cannot wait until the next working day.
Additional support for mental health, bereavement and online safety can also be found under our Health and Wellbeing area on the website here.
