Author: Seymour, A

Who are the designated officers in school?

Kay Gray
Lead Designated

Jenny Brown
Lead Designated

Jodie Harnan
Designated
Officer

Susan Seymour
Designated
Officer

Kul S Ghattaora
Designated
Governor for
Safeguarding

What if you have concerns regarding another student?
If you have concerns regarding other students within the school, then please contact a member of the safeguarding team on 0115 8964949. Or contact social services directly on 0115 87 64800.
How do we support the PREVENT national agenda?
In response to the increased threat of terrorism, as part of the government’s Prevent strategy schools must show a commitment to make changes to strengthen the SMSC standard. In summary, Nottingham Free School will ensure that we:
encourage students to respect specified core British values;
do not promote extremist views, or partisan political views, through their curriculum and/or teaching, and
offer students a balanced presentation of views when political issues are brought to their attention.
What are our aims and objectives?
All governors, teaching and non-teaching staff will have an understanding of what radicalisation and extremism are and why we need to be vigilant in school.
All governors, teaching and non-teaching staff will know what the school policy is on tackling extremism and radicalisation and will follow the policy guidance swiftly when issues arise.
All students will understand the dangers of radicalisation and exposure to extremist views. We help them to build resilience against these and know what to do if they experience them.
All parents/carers and students will know that the school has policies in place to keep pupils safe from harm.
For further information, please refer to our PREVENT leaflet for parents and carers. You can also access the Preventing and Tackling Extremism policy on the school website.
Nottingham Free School
290 Haydn Road, Sherwood, Nottingham,
NG5 1EB
Tel:0115 896 4949

Nottingham Free School

Safeguarding

Information for parents and carers

What is safeguarding? And why is it so important?
Safeguarding is defined as: the actions we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. This is everyone’s responsibility.
Nottingham Free School recognises that children who are in a vulnerable situation, are abused or who witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame. The school will endeavour to support the student and ensure that appropriate support is put in place so that they are safe.
Support Available for the child
Safeguarding topics are covered within the curriculum, assemblies and tutor activities
The school behaviour policy
Liaison with other agencies such as Children’s Social Care, education welfare service, education psychology, Children’s and Families Direct, Early Help Assessment and where appropriate the complex needs forum
If a student leaves their information is transferred to the new school in a secure manner

What does the law say?
By law, schools and colleges must have regard to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education issued under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002. Schools must work within the framework of Keeping children safe in education and Working together to

What are the types of abuse and neglect
In most cases, there are multiple issues that overlap with one another. The following list shows the issues that staff receive training on:
Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Cyber bullying/bullying
Child sexual exploitation
Domestic violence
Fabricated or induced illness
Faith abuse
Female genital mutilation
Forced marriage
Radicalisation/extremism

Mental Health
Sexting
Trafficking
All of these would automatically be referred to Social Services and in some instances, the school would not contact parents if it was felt that this would further endanger the child.
What happens if my child does disclose information to a member of staff?
All staff are trained to inform students that anything that they want to disclose cannot be kept confidential and that it has to be passed onto the safeguarding team.
If a child discloses information to the school nurse then they do not have to pass on information to the school or in some cases the parents and may refer directly to social services
Once information has been passed on, then the safeguarding team need to assess whether it should be referred to social services and whether parents should be informed.
Once a decision has been made, then the appropriate calls are made and school is advised on the next appropriate action.
Please note, all information is only shared with the safeguarding team and is not discussed with anyone else.