Safeguarding

The Children’s Hospital School fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Our policy reflects current legislation, accepted best practice and complies with the following government guidance:

Working Together to Safeguard Children (March 2018)
Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2024)

Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

If you have a concern please contact the school on 0116 2298137 and ask to speak to one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads. If you need to contact us out of normal school hours, please email safeguarding@childrenshospitalschool.leicester.sch.uk

Safeguarding Information For Families With Students At Willow Bank School

Operation Encompass

We receive Operation Encompass Information from Leicestershire Police, when police attending incidents where they feel that there has been a tangible impact upon a child is physical, emotional or mental well-being. This is shared in confidence with our Designated Safeguarding Leads.

DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEADS:

Designated Safeguarding Leads

James Stafford (Assistant Headteacher)

Stephen Deadman (Headteacher) – in the absence of James Stafford

Governors

Lynne Folwell – Chair of Governors / Safeguarding Governor

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

Nikki Cole (Deputy Headteacher / Head of School – Magpie Learning Centre)

Diane Davies (Deputy Headteacher / Head of School – Willow Bank)

Lorraine Biddle (Head of School – The Beacon)

Sarah Fitzpatrick (Head of School – Leicester Royal Infirmary)

Stewart Scragg (SENCO)

Micki Handford (Pastoral Manager)

Emma Compton (Taskforce Manager)

Claire Mooney (Willow Bank Assistant Leader)

Jayne Lister (Family Support Worker)

Susan Wale (Learning Mentor, Magpie Learning Centre)

Our policy focuses on five main elements:

Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with students.
Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping students with the skills needed to keep them safe.
Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
Supporting students who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan.
Establishing a safe environment in which students can learn and develop.

We recognise that because of the day to day contact with students, school staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse.

The school and staff will therefore:

Establish and maintain an environment where students feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
Ensure students know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried.
Include opportunities for students to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.
Report any inappropriate behaviour/activities to our Designated Safeguarding Leaders as detailed in this policy.

Staff in The Children’s Hospital School will follow the Leicester City Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) Child Protection Procedures in all cases of abuse or suspected abuse and have regard to the statutory obligations placed on them by Section 175 of the 2002 Education Act.