Safeguarding
Highfield C of E Primary School is committed to the safeguarding of all children and adults in school and across our wider community. Safeguarding is the process through which we keep children safe from any type of harm, which could include any form of abuse, both in person and online. Staff in school have an absolute duty to act in the best interests of the child or vulnerable person at all times.
Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm, safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment and that we all feel safe in our environment.
If your child is ever concerned about their own safety or well-being or about a friend, they should talk to someone; a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, phase leader or a Designated Safeguarding Leader (DSL).
We strongly believe that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
We have four Designated Safeguarding Leads at Highfield.
Mrs Walford is our lead DSL.
Mr Iszatt is a deputy DSL.
Ms Lewis is a deputy DSL.
Mrs Bond is a deputy DSL.
If you wish to contact the DSL by email, please send concerns to: highfielddsl@gmail.com
This email address is monitored throughout the year, including in school holidays.
The Children’s Resource Service
If you are a child, young person, parent or carer, and you would like to discuss your worries or seek advice and support please get in touch! You can contact the Children’s Resource Service on 02380 83 3004 (office hours) or 02380 23 3344 (outside of office hours).
If you are not a professional involved with the child or family, you do not have to give your name and your conversation will be treated confidentially.
Or in an emergency contact the police by telephone on 999
NSPCC Freephone Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000
At Highfield, we follow procedures as per the Southampton Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). Further information on these procedures can be found here: http://southamptonlscb.co.uk/
All school staff, including members of our Governing Body, are trained to recognise the indicators of abuse and to manage an allegation of abuse or harm that may be made by a child. Regular volunteers and students in school are also fully trained. Staff and other adults in school will always act on an allegation or a concern, but this will be done sensitively to reassure the child and to maintain confidentiality for the child and the family. We have a number of robust policies, most of which are updated at least annually and to which staff and adults in school refer regularly when carrying out their safeguarding responsibilities. Policies can be found in our policies tab. All staff have regular training and updates throughout the year and are well-informed of national and local issues.
We work with a range of external professionals to keep children and families safe: this includes the police; social workers; family support workers; medical professionals; foster carers; and, at times, family court professionals. When it is appropriate to do so, we also work closely with our colleagues in other local schools.
It is vital that we work closely with parents and carers to ensure children and families are safe. In most cases, it is parents and carers we turn to first when we are concerned about a child and very often we are able to put support in place quickly if it is required. Asking for help with a challenge or difficulty at home is not a sign of weakness - it is most certainly a strength and demonstrates your commitment to wanting the best for your child and your family. School staff will always be ready and happy to help you in any way they can.