Child Protection and Safeguarding

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

At Hackbridge Primary School and Spencer Nursery School, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility and underpins all aspects of school life. The welfare of the child is paramount, as defined in the Children Act 1989.

We are committed to ensuring that every child feels safe, valued, listened to, supported, and ready to learn. We foster a strong safeguarding culture where children's wellbeing is prioritised alongside academic success and where all adults remain vigilant and act promptly on concerns.

Our safeguarding arrangements follow statutory guidance including:

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) September 2025
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026)
The Education Act 2002
Guidance from the Sutton Safeguarding Children Partnership

If You Are Worried About a Child

If you have a concern about a child’s safety or wellbeing, please act immediately.

Contact the School Safeguarding Team

School Office: 020 8647 7974

Safeguarding Email: office@hackbridgeprimary.sutton.sch.uk

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Natasha Edmonds-Chappell (Assistant Headteacher).

Immediate Danger

If a child is at immediate risk of harm: Call 999 – Emergency Services

Contact Children’s Services Directly

London Borough of Sutton Children’s Services: 020 8770 6001

Report Online: https://www.sutton.gov.uk/w/report-a-concern-about-a-child

Out-of-hours Emergency Duty Team: 020 8770 5000

Our Safeguarding Leadership

The Designated Safeguarding Leads take responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across the federation. All DSLs receive advanced safeguarding training updated every two years.

Hackbridge Primary School

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Natasha Edmonds-Chappell (Assistant Headteacher)
Deputy DSL: Emma Walford (Headteacher), Natalie Robins (Deputy Headteacher), Kerry O’Doherty (Assistant Headteacher) and Hayley Gilgeours (Assistant Headteacher)

Spencer Nursery School

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Natasha Edmonds-Chappell (Assistant Headteacher)
Deputy DSL: Lauren Jackson (Nursery Manager), Sharon Hoeksma (Nursery Teacher), Emma Walford (Headteacher) and Natalie Robins (Deputy Headteacher)

Safeguarding Governor: Carole Cook

The governing body ensures safeguarding arrangements are effective and compliant. Governors monitor safeguarding practice, safer recruitment, policy implementation and staff training.

Our Safeguarding Responsibilities

We protect children from all forms of harm, including:

Abuse and neglect
Peer-on-peer abuse, including sexual violence and sexual harassment
Child sexual or criminal exploitation (CSE/CCE)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Domestic abuse
Online risks
Radicalisation and extremism (Prevent Duty)
Mental health risks
Attendance concerns and Children Missing Education (CME)

We are clear that sexual violence and sexual harrassment are not an inevitable part of growing up and will never be tolerated.

Safeguarding in Action

Safeguarding is embedded throughout daily school life through:

Trauma-Informed and Attachment: Aware Practice: Recognising that behaviour communicates need.
Curriculum: Teaching emotional literacy, regulation (including calm and safe learning environments) and the NSPCC PANTS Rule
Pupil Support: pupil leadership, playground buddy systems and “worry boxes.
Safer Recruitment: All staff undergo enhanced DBS checks and follow a strict Code of Conduct.
Early Help: Early identification of support families may need including mental health and attendance support.

Key Resources for Parents:

· Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy (Federation)

· Working Together to Safeguard Children (Parent Friendly Version)

· Online Safety Advice: NSPCC / CEOP / UK Safer Internet Centre

· Information on Physical Chastisement

How we Respond to Concerns

Child shares a worry

↓

Trusted adult listens

↓

Safeguarding Lead reviews concern

↓

Support provided / Early Help offered

↓

External agencies involved if needed

We always act in the best interests of the child.

Safeguarding Information for Children

If you feel worried, unsafe or upset, you can talk to:

your teacher
any trusted adult
a Safeguarding Leader

You will:

· be listened to
· be taken seriously
· be helped

You can also:

write your worry down
ask to speak privately
use a worry box (where available)

Early Help and Family Support

We believe in early support to help families before concerns become more serious.

We may work with families through:

Early Help assessments
family support services
health professionals
educational specialists
multi-agency meetings

We aim to work openly with parents whenever possible while always prioritising the child’s safety.

Online Safety

Children learn how to stay safe online through our curriculum and pastoral support.

We use filtering and monitoring systems to protect pupils when using technology in school.

Parents can access advice and support from:

NSPCC Online Safety
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)
UK Safer Internet Centre

See our Online Safety page for further information.

Staff Training and Safeguarding Culture

All staff receive safeguarding and child protection training at least annually alongside regular updates throughout the year.

Training includes:

child protection procedures
online safety
Prevent duty
early help processes
trauma-informed practice
professional conduct expectations

Staff are supported through supervision, safeguarding updates and professional dialogue.

Whistleblowing

Staff, volunteers and visitors can raise concerns about the conduct of adults through our whistleblowing procedures, including access to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).