What is Safeguarding?

The information below will give you an overview of Safeguarding at Meopham Community Academy. Please use the links to find additional information and our Child Protection Policy.

• Designated Safeguarding Lead:  Mrs C Casey (Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion)

• Deputy Safeguarding Leads: Mrs K Jackson (Interim Head of School), Miss S Dean (Phase 3 Leader for Learning) & Miss S Barnes-Farnham (Family Liaison Officer)

• Nominated Governors responsible for Safeguarding: Mrs H Gula & Mr B Roberts

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means:

• protecting children from abuse and maltreatment.

• preventing harm to children's health or development

• ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care

• taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes

Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.

What is Child Protection?

Child Protection is part of Safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

Mandatory Reporting of FGM - Procedural information

From 31 October 2015 it is mandatory for teachers, health and social workers to report to the police if they find, or are told, someone under 18 has undergone FGM.

Online Safety

Meopham Community Academy recognises the benefits and opportunities which new technologies offer to teaching and learning. We encourage the use of technology in order to enhance skills and promote achievement. However, the accessible and global nature of the internet and variety of technologies available mean that we are also aware of potential risks and challenges associated with such use. To find out more please read our E-Safety policy.

If you would like further information and advice regarding online safety, please take a look at our Online Safety pages here:

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Please click here to access the statutory guidance from the Department for Education.

It is imperative that all staff (including volunteers) read this guidance and provide consent that they have done so (a register exists to determine this) Schools must have regard to the guidance when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This document contains information on what schools should do and sets out the legal duties with which schools must comply.

The Prevent Duty

Please click here to access departmental advice for schools on the Prevent Duty (DFE).

Alternatively, you can also refer to 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' above for further information. Staff have been completing a series of online training modules. A register exists to determine which staff have completed the training.

Referrals to Children's Social Services

Referrals to Social Services are undertaken by schools in response to information regarding children who are thought to be at significant risk of harm.  It is the schools duty to report to Social Services in these instances.

After-school Procedure for Uncollected Children/Children Missing

In the first instance, the school will look to contact parents/ carers and emergency contact numbers provided to the school on the data collection information. If there is no contact by 4.30pm, the school will contact Children’s Social Services 03000 411111. Please note that if a school has not made contact with the Referral and Assessment Service by 5pm, calls may be handled by the Emergency Duty Team. This may result in considerable delay to action being taken by Social Care. If Social Services are unable to deal with this issue immediately, a call will be made to the local Police. The school will continue to try to make contact with family.

Further resources