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Safeguarding

"The welfare of the child is paramount" – The Children's Act 1989

Our Commitment

Children have a right to be cared for and protected – keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility. At Sefton Park Schools, we have a duty of care to ensure that everybody in school is kept safe from harm.

Safeguarding children is an essential part of our holistic approach to ensure that children are protected from abuse and neglect and that every child reaches their full potential. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment to safeguarding.

All our staff are committed to protecting the safety of the children under their care, and have read and acknowledged our comprehensive safeguarding policy.

Read the policy: Sefton Park Schools Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 23–24 (PDF)

Our Safeguarding Team

Emily Shuker

Deputy Headteacher
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Rebecca Earnshaw

SENDCO
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Alex Powell

Headteacher
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Additional Safeguarding Team Members

  • Jane Harris (Pastoral Lead)
  • Cathy Cook (Admin Team and Family Support)

The Safeguarding Team meets regularly to discuss procedures and concerns. All staff are trained in safeguarding and are constantly vigilant.

How We Keep Children Safe

Recording & Monitoring

We use CPOMS, a secure online system that allows us to record and monitor safeguarding, wellbeing, and pastoral issues. This ensures prompt communication between staff and proper documentation of any concerns.

Curriculum & Education

Safeguarding is embedded throughout our curriculum, covering children's physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing:

  • PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) curriculum
  • Planned e-safety programme that is regularly revisited
  • Anti-bullying education as part of Anti-bullying Week
  • NSPCC's Speak Out Stay Safe programme
  • Teaching our school and British values to support pupils as global citizens

Working with Other Agencies

We work closely with the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership and various agencies, including Educational Welfare, Families in Focus (Early Help), and Social Care, to ensure that all pupils are kept safe. Sometimes we need to share concerns with these agencies – we'll always do this in consultation with parents unless doing so could put a child at risk.

Reporting Concerns

Concerns About Children

If you have any concerns about the wellbeing of any child (even if they don't attend Sefton Park), contact details are available in our Bristol Safeguarding Contacts document (PDF).

Emergency help when you can't speak:
If you need urgent police assistance but can't speak on the phone, please see our Silent Solution Guide (PDF).

Concerns About Adults Working with Children

If you have concerns about the behaviour of someone working or volunteering with children, contact:

  • LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer): 0117 903 7795
  • NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line: 0800 028 0285

Specific Safeguarding Areas

Prevent Duty

All schools must comply with the Prevent Duty (Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015) to prevent extremism and radicalisation. This is considered a safeguarding concern.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

If you need advice about FGM or are worried about a child at risk:

  • NSPCC FGM Helpline: 0800 028 3550 (24/7, free from landline)
  • Email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk
  • Text: 85888 (free and anonymous)

Information resources in multiple languages:

All of Our Responsibility

Safeguarding... Everybody... Every day – We're all responsible for keeping children safe. If you have any concerns, please get in touch with a member of our safeguarding team via the school office, or use the contact information provided above to seek help beyond our school gates.

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