Safeguarding
“Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined for the purposes of this guidance as: protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s 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.” – DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education
Goffs-Churchgate Academy recognises the contribution it makes in partnership with other local agencies in safeguarding children. All staff, including volunteers, have a full and active part to play in protecting our students from harm and keeping them safe.
We believe that our school should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment which promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child. Our emphasis is on prevention and early intervention to minimise any risk to our students.
Goffs-Churchgate Academy follows the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) procedures and acts on advice taken from the government document, Keeping Children Safe in Education.
If you or your child are ever concerned about safety then please contact the form tutor, Director of Learning or member of the safeguarding team.
Parents should be aware that the school is required to take any reasonable action to safeguard its pupils. In cases where the school has reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill- treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse, the Principal is obliged to follow the Child Protection procedures established by the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.
When the school refers a concern about a child to the Social Services Department, it is not accusing the parents of abuse but requesting that further investigation takes place to establish whether a child is at risk.
Click here for Child Protection Policy
Click here for Safeguarding TeamClick the link for further information on Anti-Bullying
Useful Documents
Information about Suicide Prevention
Hertfordshire County Council information about County Lines
Hertfordshire County Council information about Child Sexual Exploitation
Useful Links
Families First
www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/families-first/families-first.aspx
Educate Against Hate
http://educateagainsthate.com/parents/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
ceop.police.uk
NSPCC
www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety
Internet Watch Foundation
www.iwf.org.uk
Childnet International
www.childnet.com/young-people
Dot Com Children’s Foundations
dotcomcf.org/children
Thinkuknow
www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
Get Safe Online
www.getsafeonline.org
Family Online Safety Institute
http://www.fosi.org
Family Learning
www.familylearning.org.uk/internet_safety.html
Parents Protect
www.parentsprotect.co.uk/internet_safety.htm
Your Child’s Safety – NHS Choices
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/childhealth6-15/Pages/Childsafety.aspx
ChildLine Internet Safety
www.childline.org.uk/Explore/OnlineSafety/Pages/OnlineSafety.aspx
Internet Matters
www.internetmatters.org
Al-Anon
www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Advice if you are concerned about your child and self harming
Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board