This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and parents to share this commitment.

SUMMARY OF CHILD PROTECTION INFORMATION FOR VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS

Child Protection Statement

Higham Lane School recognises its 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, radicalisation and/or extremism, and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.

Higham Lane School has 17 Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) who will provide support to staff when carrying out their safeguarding duties and who will liaise closely with other services such as Children’s Social Care.

The Safeguarding Lead will listen to any concerns regarding a child and make a decision about the next stage. This could include a referral to social care, but it is important to note that any staff member can refer their concerns to children’s social care directly.

If parents, children, staff, or members of the community have a concern that a child is being harmed, is at risk of harm, or you receive a disclosure (intentionally or unintentionally) you must speak to one of the following members of staff as quickly as possible. Staff should also complete the green safeguarding form. These are available in the staff room:

Senior DSL Vanessa Domigan	Deputy Senior DSL Leanne Whitfield	DSL Steve Emery	DSL Kate Nuttall	DSL Debbie Worth	DSL Emma Mitchell	DSL Mark Davies
DSL Donna Greenfield	DSL Nicole Hemmings	DSL Iain Morris	DSL Sarah Davies	DSL Hanif Ladha	DSL Hayley Doyne-Ditmas	DSL Alex Ireland
DSL Claire Lynch	DSL Michelle Meacham	DSL Chloe Worth

Contact numbers for the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

Our core safeguarding principles are:

• The School’s responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children is of paramount importance.
• Children who are safe and feel safe are better equipped to learn.
• The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Representatives of the whole school community of students, parents, staff volunteers and governors will therefore be involved in policy development and review.
• If, at any point, there is a risk of immediate serious harm to a child a referral will be made to Children’s Social Care immediately. Anybody can make a referral. If the child’s situation does not appear to be improving, any staff member with concerns should press for re-consideration. Concerns should always lead to help for the child at some stage.
• All staff members will maintain an attitude of ‘It could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members should always act in the interests of the child.

If anything worries you or concerns you, report it straight away

Policy 28 - Child Protection and Safeguarding is contained in the `School Policies' section of this website, click on the link below to access it.

Other useful links to help safeguard children can also be found below.

Please click on the button below to go to Higham Lane School's Online Safety page where parents/carers can find advice and guidance on how to keep children safe online.