AT HILLVIEW THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF EVERY CHILD IS OUR TOP PRIORITY.
All staff, governors and volunteers share this commitment to safeguarding our students. Students also have a responsibility to safeguard each other, not placing each other at risk. PDL lessons (Personal Development Lessons), assemblies and specially arranged sessions educate students to be able to do this.
We listen to our students and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in safeguarding, and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional/sexual harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Students are able to report concerns to any member of staff who will take them seriously.
The procedures which we follow have been laid down by the Kent Area Safeguarding Team and the Governing Body has adopted a Safeguarding (including Child Protection) Policy in line with this, for the safety of all. On occasions our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed with parent/carers first, before any referrals are made, unless we believe that such a move may be contrary to a child’s welfare.
We actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism. All staff have received training in how to identify possible signs of radicalism, extremism, CME & FGM of a student.
If you are concerned about the safety of any child attending the school or you think they are at risk in any way, you should make contact with our designated safeguarding lead or one of our two other DSL trained staff.
They are:
- Deborah Ellis- Senior Assistant Head (Designated Safeguarding Lead) ellisd@hillview.kent.sch.uk
- Rebecca Edwins – Assistant Head (DSL trained) edwinsr@hillview.kent.sch.uk
- Sara Waters – Intensive Support Manager (DSL trained) waterss@hillview.kent.sch.uk
Any concern will be recorded and acted upon in line with the agreed policy.
The Governing Body also has a designated safeguarding member. This is Sara Cleaver who can be contacted via the Clerk to the Governors in the event you wish to raise concerns about the school’s safeguarding procedures or polices.
Copies of all the school’s safeguarding policies are available to download here.
WORRIED ABOUT A CHILD?
If the child is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you are worried about the safety of a child or young person please contact the Kent Central Duty Team on 03000 41 11 11 or central.duty@kent.gov.uk to make a referral.
Kent Safeguarding Children Board
You can also contact the NSPCC who have a dedicated helpline – 0808 8005000
The following websites have also been useful to parents:
Other useful websites:
www.thinkuknow.co.uk – Online safety advice for parents
www.childnet.com – Excellent free resources for educators and parents/carers
www.net-aware.org.uk – Parents guide to social networks children use
www.childline.org.uk – Get help and advice about a wide range of issues
www.kidscape.org.uk/cyberbullying – Reporting cyber bullying
www.saferinternet.org.uk – UK Safer Internet Centre
www.vodaphone.com/parents – Excellent guide for parents on digital technologies
www.pegi.info/en/index/ – Information about age ratings of video games
www.ceop.police.uk – Website for the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
