Safeguarding

In February 2020, Goffs-Churchgate was awarded the Platinum Level, Excellence in Safeguarding Award, in recognition of the outstanding Safeguarding practise in place

In October 2022, Goffs-Churchgate was re-awarded the Excellence in Safeguarding Award at the Platinum Level

“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

Instagram Parents’ Guide

Kik Parents’ Guide

Omegle Parents’ Guide

ooVoo Parents’ Guide

Snapchat Parents’ Guide

Tinder Guide

Think You Know Guide

Parent Info.org

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

https://calmharm.co.uk/

 

Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/childrens-social-care/child-protection/hertfordshire-safeguarding-children-partnership/hscp.aspx