Safeguarding

The Government defines safeguarding as:

• protecting children from maltreatment
• preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
• ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

At Heart of the Forest, staff are committed to creating and maintaining a safe learning environment and safeguarding our pupils is our highest priority.

Pastoral Lead, Lizzie Spowart is our Designated Safeguarding Lead and is supported by the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Lyn Dance, Denise Eaton Erhlich and Kirsten Jennings. Dave Hill is the Safeguarding Governor.

All staff receive regular Child Protection mandatory training and are kept up to date with child protection procedures.

We take very seriously our responsibility to identify where there are child welfare concerns and take action to address them in partnership with other organisations. Early Help is a key part of our safeguarding strategy. Students are given numerous opportunities to consider risk situations and explore strategies for keeping safe, and staff are asked to remain vigilant and report any concerns to the designated teacher or any adult.

If family, friends or other professionals have any concerns they are advised to contact our DSLs via the school office on 01594 822175 or email Lizzie, lizzie.spowart@hofschool.co.uk.