Safeguarding
Westcliff High School for Girls is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its students. We recognise that all adults, including temporary staff, volunteers and governors, have a full and active part to play in protecting our students from harm, and that the child or young person’s welfare is our paramount concern.
We have a team of Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) in school who oversee the safeguarding and wellbeing of our students. 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 safe from radicalisation.
Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:
- children from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- 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.
All staff receive regular Child Protection and Safeguarding update training and are aware of the procedures for passing on concerns within the school.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child or a young person’s welfare.
We will ensure that our concerns about our students are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child or young person’s welfare.
If any members of the school or local community have concerns about the welfare of a child in the school, please pass them on to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Leads.
The school adheres to the following three DFE safeguarding documents:
WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN EDUCATIONTHE PREVENT DUTY
Click CEOP
CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to CEOP, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the Click CEOP button.
If you are experiencing online bullying or something else online has worried you please speak to an adult you trust, or you can talk to Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.
Social Media & Online Safety
USEFUL SAFEGUARDING LINKS TO WEBSITES
https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/
http://www.essex.police.uk/advice/child-sexual-exploitation/
https://southend-on-seabc.tumblr.com/post/178979553706/seethesigns
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/campaigns-media/campaigns/drug-gangs-and-county-lines
