Safeguarding during the summer holidays

During the school holidays, the safeguarding team only monitors their email address periodically. 

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

For other serious or urgent issues, contact children's services - Family First Team on 01752668000 or email familiesfirst@plymouth.gov.uk, rather than waiting for a response form school.

The service is made up of multi-agency professionals who can give you advice, information and support.

We are available:

• 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
• 9am to 5pm Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays

An emergency on-call duty service is available for overnight enquiries.

You can also contact the NSPCC if you want to talk to someone about your concerns and get advice.

Parents and carers can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. 

If a child or young person is struggling with their mental health, they can text YM to 85258 for free, 24/7 crisis support. Parents wanting advice can also contact the YoungMinds Parents Helpline on 0808 802 5544. 

Children and young people can contact Childline free and confidentially on 0800 1111.

Safeguarding at Our School 

Safeguarding our pupils is the most important thing we do at Hyde Park Schools. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure that children are kept safe from harm, and our entire staff is trained to be vigilant and act in the best interests of every child. 

Our approach to safeguarding is guided by two key principles: 

1. Protecting from Harm: We protect children from maltreatment and a wide range of harm, including bullying, neglect, and abuse. 
2. Supporting Development: We take active steps to ensure that children's health, mental health, and emotional development are not impaired. 

We have a clear set of policies and procedures that all staff follow to protect our pupils. Our staff are trained to be alert to any signs of abuse or neglect and know how to report any concerns they may have. We work in close partnership with parents and external agencies to ensure that our pupils are safe both inside and outside of school. 

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) 

If you have any concerns about a child's welfare or safety, no matter how small, please speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs). Our DSLs have specialist training and are the first point of contact for all safeguarding matters. 

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mr Ben Norris, Executive Headteacher 
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Mr. Mark Dellow & Mrs. Emma Foster, Heads of Schools

All concerns will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. Further information on our Safeguarding Lead Team can be found here: Hyde Park Schools - Safeguarding and Child Protection.

Safeguarding and Child Protection 

At Hyde Park Schools, our top priority is the safety and well-being of every child. We are fully committed to creating a secure and caring environment where all pupils can learn and thrive without risk. Safeguarding is our shared responsibility, and every member of our staff, from the Headteacher to our volunteers, plays a crucial role. 

Our approach to safeguarding includes: 

• Robust Policies: We have clear and comprehensive child protection policies that guide our actions and are reviewed annually. These documents explain our procedures for identifying and responding to concerns about a child's welfare. 
• Designated Safeguarding Leads: We have trained Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) who are the first point of contact for any concerns. They have the expertise to manage safeguarding issues, provide advice, and liaise with external agencies such as the Local Authority and police. 
• Staff Training: All staff receive regular training on safeguarding and child protection. This ensures they are vigilant, knowledgeable, and confident in recognizing and reporting any signs of abuse or neglect. 
• Promoting an Open Culture: We encourage children to speak up if they feel unsafe or worried about anything. We teach them that it's okay to talk and that there are trusted adults in school who will always listen and help. 
• Working with Families: We believe that effective safeguarding is built on strong partnerships with our parents and carers. We encourage open communication and are always here to listen to any concerns you may have about your child's well-being. 

Our commitment is to ensure that every child at Hyde Park Schools feels safe, happy, and protected. 

Our School's Safeguarding Leads are:

Mr Ben Norris- Executive Headteacher, DSL

 

Mrs Emma Foster- Head of Infant School, DDSL

 

Mr Mark Dellow- Head of Junior School, DDSL

 

 

Designated Teachers for Looked After Children: Mrs Emma Foster (Infant School), Mr Mark Dellow (Junior School)

Trust Safeguarding Lead: Cameron Lancaster

Safeguarding Trustee: John Butcher

Operation Encompass

We are proud to be part of Operation Encompass, as are all of our LAT schools.

If police are called to an incident of domestic abuse and any children in the household have experienced the incident, the police will inform the key adult in school (usually the designated safeguarding lead) before the child or children arrive at school the following day. 

Connect 2

If you have concerns regarding a child, there is a local organisation previously called Plymouth Early Help Team, (EHAST). This is now called Connect 2.

You can book an appointment to talk about support that you may require with a member of their team. 

Use this link to book an appointment:

Plymouth Early Help and SEND Advice line | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK

Key Policies and Documents 

Please find below relevant documents and links regarding Safeguarding.