Help and advice for parents/carers

The health, safety and welfare of all our children are of paramount importance to all the adults who work at Queensgate. Our children have the right to protection – regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe in our school.

We are required to have rigorous policies and procedures in place to safeguard children. We have  several members of staff who have undertaken specialist training and take on the roles of Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mrs Hitchcock), Deputy Safeguarding Lead (Mrs Lee)  to deal with safeguarding and child protection concerns.

It may be helpful to know that the law places a duty on the Headteacher and her staff to report any obvious signs or suspected cases of child abuse – which include non-accidental injury, neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. The procedures are intended to protect children at risk and all schools nationally are expected to take the attitude that where there are grounds for concern it is better to be safe than sorry. This does mean that the school staff risks upsetting some parents/carers by reporting a case which, on investigation, proves unfounded. In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents and carers would accept that the staff acted in what were believed to the child’s best interests of the child.

In line with government requirements the school maintains a central list of checks on appointed staff and adults who work in or visit the school. Any volunteer or parent working in the school is subject to full background checks. The school has an agreed Safeguarding (including Child Protection) Policy.

Useful phone numbers for parents

NSPCC helpline 0800 800 5000

help@nspcc.org.uk

NSPCC FGM Helpline 0800 028 3550

National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

NSPCC Sexual Harassment or Abuse Helpline

The DfE have commissioned the NSPCC to operate a helpline for children and young people who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse at school, and for worried adults and professionals that need support and guidance. More information can be found here.

Phone: 0800 136 663 or Email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Our aim is to support children and their families.

We held a workshop for parents about how to keep your child safe online. You will find some of the slides from the meeting below.