‘Safeguarding children and young people is everyone’s responsibility’.
Should you have any concerns about a child you can speak to one of the Safeguarding Leads in school:
by calling the school number 02476 595455 or calling into the office.
You can report your concern to MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub):
02476 788 555
Email: mash@coventry.gov.uk
Or you can contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO):
02476 833 443
Or you can visit the Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP): https://www.coventry.gov.uk/cscp
If you want to discuss your concerns or need advice, you can call:
Childline on 0800 1111 or NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 500
Hill Farm Primary School is committed to the safeguarding of all children and expect all of our staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment. We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of students by adhering to the expectations laid out in the Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, 2024). We will endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We will be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and will follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support and protection.
In the interest of Safeguarding children, there may be occasions when the school has to consult other agencies without parent’s prior knowledge. The school’s first concern is the child’s welfare and the school has a legal duty to protect the child at all times. Such consultation may result in a formal referral to Coventry’s MASH team. This is a multi-agency safeguarding hub, where a number of professionals from Social Care, Health, Police, Education, Early Help and Community Safety can share information they hold about you and your family, and see what help and support your family is eligible to get. There are situations where this referral could prompt visits from social care and/or the police.
We fully understand that this can be a very distressing set of circumstances, but we can assure you that we follow the procedures set out by the Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership and the procedures outlined in our own school safeguarding policy. A copy of our safeguarding policy can be obtained from school or by visiting our Policies Page.
We will act in accordance with the following legislation and statutory guidance in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of our children:
– The Children Act 1989 & 2004
– The Education Act 2002 (section 175)
– The Education (Pupil Information) (England) Regulations 2005
– Dealing with Allegations of Abuse Against Teachers and Other Staff (DfE, 2011)
– Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE, 2023)
– Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, 2024), which is available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education–2
– Procedures set out by the Coventry Safeguarding Children Partnership, they are available at www.coventry.gov.uk/lscb
