Safeguarding & Child Protection
Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:
1. Protecting children from maltreatment
2. Preventing impairment of children’s physical and mental health or development
3. Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
4. Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome
Safeguarding includes child protection, health care plans, health and safety, site security, safety on school trips, anti-bullying work and so much more.
Willingdon Community School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent, effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, students and staff at school. All East Sussex schools, including Willingdon Community School, follow the East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures. Any concerns are passed through the members of staff who are trained as ‘Designated Safeguarding Leads’ (DSL) in school in compliance with the ‘sharing of information’ guidance.
The school’s Safeguarding Team is led by Miss Ali Walters ( Deputy Head teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead) who is supported by Mrs Lorraine Lamberton (Deputy Safeguarding Lead and School Welfare Officer).
We take our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously here at Willingdon Community School and have a large number of staff who are DSL trained.
This includes these members of the Senior Leadership Team:
Mrs Emily May
Mrs Nadene Townsend-Smith,
Mr Paul Holt
Mr Jake Lambert
In addition, we have the following who are Heads of Year:
Mr Lee Gordon
Mrs Les Naylor
We also have Mrs Ollie Barber (SENCO), Mrs Zoe Kemp (AAH) Mrs Di James (Attendance Officer), Mr Adam Edwards (PSL), Miss Lucy Bradley (PSL) and Mrs Natalie Hylands (PSL).
The school adheres to the following three DFE safeguarding documents:
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
The Prevent Duty 2015
All staff are trained annually in safeguarding. Core safeguarding staff complete more regular training around a wide range of safeguarding issues.
The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their children. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures, which focus solely on the best interests of the child). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents. The school’s child protection policy is available publicly.
Willingdon Community School Safeguarding Team: talk2us@willingdonschool.org.uk
There will be a member of the Safeguarding Team monitoring this email each day of the year.
Please also see our Student Mental Health Page
Advice and Support for Parents
The following organisations and phone numbers can provide help if you should need it. The school safeguarding team are always happy to help and advise you where we can. We can be contacted via Reception or the talk2us email.
Young Minds - https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents
Barnardo’s - Coronavirus advice for parents | Barnardo's
Police - 101 (Emergency 999)
SPOA - 01323 464222 (to contact Children’s Services)
Domestic Abuse - The Portal: www.theportal.org.uk Helpline: 0300 323 9985
CAMHS - Hailsham - 01323 446070
Eastbourne Foodbank - 01323 409925
ChatHealth East Sussex - Chathealth confidential texting service for young people aged 11-19 will operate as normal. Young people can text the school health team about any concerns or health issues on 07507 332473. The number is monitored Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
If you are worried about someone close expressing extreme views or hatred: https://actearly.uk/
We know that anyone can reach crisis point, particularly over the last year, & as such may be in need of some short term support from the Foodbank, particularly over the summer break.
Willingdon Community School are now able to issue e-vouchers. If you would like to receive a Foodbank e-voucher to be used in any Foodbank, please do email us at talk2us@willingdonschool.org.uk.