Safeguarding and Child Protection
Contact Details: DSL@gildredgehouse.org.uk
Our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures reflects our active commitment to promote and safeguard the welfare of all students at our school, including those in the EYFS, and is in line with the ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges, September 2023’ document.
We believe that children have a fundamental right to feel safe and protected from any form of abuse and exposure to marginal religious viewpoints and acts of terrorism or extreme cruelty in the name of any religious group. Therefore, we will provide a secure and caring environment, with highly skilled and aware staff, and a curriculum which nurtures self-esteem and empowers children to protect themselves.
Gildredge House aims to ensure that:
- appropriate action is taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare;
- all staff are aware of their statutory responsibilities with respect to safeguarding; and
- staff are properly trained in recognising and reporting safeguarding issues. Our whole school approach to safeguarding
Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:
- Protecting children from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s physical and mental 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
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 in the policies section of our website.
Student Wellbeing and Mental Health
Looking after your mental health is really important. You may need someone to listen to you. You may also need guidance to support you in a situation or enable you to offer advice to a friend.
If there is anything that concerns you, whether it is school-related or not, we encourage you to talk to us. There are many ways that we support student mental health at Gildredge House and please see here for further details
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, 9 am to 5 pm.
If you are worried about someone close expressing extreme views or hatred: https://actearly.uk/
We know that anyone can reach a crisis point, particularly in recent years, and as such may be in need of some short-term support from the Foodbank, particularly over school breaks.
As a school, we are 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 DSL@gildredgehouse.org.uk