Safeguarding

Safeguarding Information for Parents/Carers

We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of students. We will endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We will be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and will follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. We have put together these pages to give you some information about how we meet our safeguarding and child-protection responsibilities. We have also included some tips to help you to keep your child safe.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact one of the safeguarding team (Mrs Gregory, Mrs Price, Mrs Needham or Mr Taylor). All can be contacted at school, telephone number 01246 432 849 between 8.00am and 4.00pm (Monday to Friday during term time only) or via email

amanda.gregory@eck.leap-mat.org.uk

rebecca.price-aziz@eck.leap-mat.org.uk

katherine.needham@eck.leap-mat.org.uk

james.taylor@eck.leap-mat.org.uk

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OR WELFARE OF YOUR CHILD, OR A CHILD YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD ACT WITHOUT DELAY.

In an emergency, anyone can report a concern to Starting Point 01629 533190.

Child abuse and what to look for

No parent or carer wants to think about the possibility of their child becoming a victim of abuse and most children are never abused. Even so, it is important for parents and carers to be aware of the possibility and to know that help is available if the unthinkable does happen. Most children know their abusers. They may be family members or friends of the family, someone who works with the child or someone who lives in the community. There are many signs, or indicators, that a child might be suffering abuse. There may be injuries, but it is more likely that you will notice some change in your child’s behaviour. If you notice anything that concerns you, talk to your child to see if you can find out what is happening. Remember that if your child is being harmed, she or he may be too frightened to tell you. If your child becomes distressed or you are not happy with the explanations, you could talk to an adult you trust or call a helpline or children’s social care services.

Some signs to look for are:

bruises or other injuries
a change in behaviour – from quiet to loud, or from happy-go-lucky to withdrawn
pain or discomfort
fear of a particular person, or a reluctance to be alone with them
secrecy around a relationship with a particular person
reluctance to discuss where they go, or who they are with
sexual talk or knowledge beyond their years
being watchful, or always on edge
losing interest in their appearance, hobbies or family life
alcohol or drug taking
having money and refusing to say where it has come from
wetting the bed
becoming clingy

What we will do if we have a concern about your child:

If we are concerned that your child may be at risk of abuse or neglect, we must follow the agreed safeguarding procedures. They comply with our statutory responsibilities and are designed to support students, families and staff. The procedures are based on the principle that the welfare of the child is the most important consideration. n almost all circumstances, we will talk to you about our concerns and we will also tell you if we feel we must refer our concerns to children’s social care or other agencies. If we think that talking to you first might in some way increase the risk to your child, we will report our concerns to children’s social care and take advice from them. All safeguarding records are kept separate from your child’s general school file. The only members of staff who have access to the records are those who need to know about the concerns in order to protect and support your child. Safeguarding and child protection are very sensitive issues and raise many questions and a range of strong emotions. We will do everything we can do to support our students and you can be assured that any action we take will be in the best interests of your child.

If you still have concerns, you could contact one of the agencies.

Click the link below to see more.

Click here for our Safeguarding & Wellbeing Newsletter (Spring 2022 edition)

Contacts and Helplines

Online Safety - Parent/carers guide

Private Fostering

Derbyshire County Council guidance titled 'Stopping Domestic Abuse Together - Think Family'.

Safeguarding

Contacts and Helplines

Online Safety - Parent/carers guide

Private Fostering

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