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At Hilltop Primary School, we are fully committed to the safeguarding of our students. It is important that students feel safe and supported so that they can achieve their full potential.
All staff at Hilltop Primary School, regardless of their role, recognise that safeguarding is the statutory duty of all staff. As such, we will:
- Provide a safe environment for students
- Identify students who may need additional help and/or may be suffering harm
- Take appropriate action to protect and help children.
Safeguarding is the term used to prevent harm, keep children safe and promote their wellbeing.
Safeguarding Team
In school we have a dedicated team which deal specifically with child protection matters. The members are:
R. Harris
Family Liaison Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
C. Wooder
Assistant Headteacher & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
If you have any safeguarding concerns you can also contact the school on 01634 710312 and ask to speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team, or send an email to safeguarding@hilltopprimary.co.uk
If you are concerned about a child out of school hours, please call Medway Children’s Services on 01634 334466, or contact the police on 101.
Safeguarding and visitors to the school
Upon arrival at the school, visitors are required to sign in at Reception. They must then wear an ID badge (that must be visible at all times).
Visitors are collected from Reception if they do not have a DBS check seen by the school and must wear a red lanyard. They will be escorted around school.
Those visitors who have had the appropriate checks will wear a green lanyard.
On departure, visitors must sign out and return their ID badge to Reception before leaving the premises.
Useful Contacts
MEDWAY (CHILDREN’S SERVICES) DUTY TEAM
If you think the child is at immediate risk of harm phone them straightaway:
- Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm 01634 334 466
- Out of hours on 03000 419 191
IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 999
To report a crime to Police (non-emergency) call 101.
EARLY HELP
The aim of Early Help in Medway is to ensure that children and families that need extra help have one lead person who they can tell their story to. This means you will not have to keep telling different people.
This lead person will carry out a family assessment to develop a plan of action and interventions needed to meet the aims of your family.
https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200170/children_and_families/325/early_help_in_medway
HELPLINE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN SCHOOLS
Sexual abuse in any form is unacceptable.
A dedicated helpline is now open to support anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse.
The helpline is run by the NSPCC and will provide victims of abuse with the appropriate support, advice, and onward action, including contacting professionals or the Police if they wish. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals too.
Telephone 0800 136 663, or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
More information can be found at:
Helpline for people who have experienced sexual abuse in education settings launched | NSPCC Learning
LOCAL AUTHORITY DESIGNATED OFFICER (LADO)
Every Local Authority is required to have a LADO whose responsibility it is to provide advice and guidance to individuals who have concerns about the behaviour of an adult who works with children and young people. If you wish to raise a concern about a professional working with children, please call 01634 331065.
USEFUL LINKS FOR CONCERNS
Types of Child Abuse & How to Prevent Them | NSPCC
The NSPCC gives key information of different types of abuse and recognising signs. It also allows you to report your concerns and what to do to keep children safe.
Reporting child abuse and neglect | NSPCC
Direct links to reporting concerns to the NSPCC, whistleblowing advice and dedicated helplines for specific needs.
Safeguarding children and child protection | NSPCC Learning
Additional detail on what safeguarding is, working with multi agencies such as Early Help and Child Services.
Childline | Childline
Advice for children who are concerned about themselves or others. This can be done via the phone for free on 0800 1111 or message boards online.
Report Remove: Remove a nude image shared online | Childline
If you are worried that an image is being shared online and posted. Please use the above link and Childline will talk you through the steps in how to report. All age groups inc 18+ can be reported.