Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to looking after all children the best we possibly can. All members of staff at Windwhistle undergo full Safeguarding training and annual refreshers. Staff and contractors also complete full DBS safety checks before beginning work within the school.

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. 

If you are visiting Windwhistle, please familiarise yourself with our visitors Safeguarding information leaflet below. Paper copies are obtainable via the main school office on arrival.

Windwhistle has an ELAN Safeguarding Policy that is in line with recommendations from North Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSSCP) The policy is reviewed annually by governors and is a working document that reflects our practice. Parents/carers can request a paper copy from the office or find a copy on our policies page.

Any concerns about children’s welfare or wellbeing should be discussed with a member of the safeguarding team as soon as possible or email dsl@windwhistleschool.co.uk

As a school we are part of ELAN and they also have a role in ensuring that we are effectively safeguarding children and families by nominating an ELAN Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mr Adam Matthews. You can get in touch with Adam on 01934 313390. You can also contact the ELAN Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Fiona Bennett on 01934 427130.

If you have any concerns about the behaviour of someone working or volunteering with children please contact the LADO – Local Authority Designated Officer via the Referral and Assessment Team.

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

The LADO manages allegations and concerns against professionals and volunteers who work with children.

You must contact the LADO immediately and within one working day if a person who works with children has:

• harmed or may have harmed a child
• possibly committed a criminal offence involving a child
• behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to a child
• behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children

The LADO process manages allegations about:

• neglect
• sexual abuse
• physical abuse
• emotional abuse
• grooming

Referral and Assessment Team  – Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)  Telephone: 07795092692 or email lado@n-somerset.gov.uk

Reporting concerns about an adult | Childrens Safeguarding Board (nsscp.co.uk)

Part of our responsibility in this area is to work with outside agencies such as Social Care, Children's Centres, Health Services, the Police and Family Wellbeing Team to make sure all pupils are kept safe. This means that at times we are obliged to pass on concerns or information to these agencies. The school will always do this in consultation with parents except in circumstances where a child is at risk. To do this effectively we have one person in the school who co-ordinates this work, this person is known as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.  They are supported by a teacher in school who focuses on children who are looked after and is also monitored by the Chair of Governors.

All staff adhere to the ELAN Safeguarding Policy which is developed in line with recommendations from North Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSSCP) and Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE). The policy is reviewed annually by Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) and governors and is a working document that reflects our practice. Parents/carers can request a paper copy from the office.

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

As part of ELAN we ensure that all of our staff undergo Enhanced DBS checks regarding their suitability to work with children prior to commencing employment.  This is supplemented by annual mandatory safeguarding training to ensure that we are ALL compliant with safeguarding updates, policies and procedures. We are part of a wider safeguarding trust network which we attend regularly. Any changes to procedures or information gained from networks or changes in legislation is then disseminated to all staff by the safeguarding team as and when required.

At Windwhistle, we believe that parents and carers are vital in supporting their children's well being. Windwhistle offer support to families and children. Please see below 'who can help'