Safeguarding

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as: protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. (The term children, includes everyone under the age of 18.)

Shepwell’s Commitment to Safeguarding & Child Protection

At Shepwell we are committed to safeguarding children and young people and we expect everyone who works in our school to share this commitment. Safeguarding is what we do for all children and young people to keep them safe whilst in our care. Child protection describes the policy and procedures specifically for those young people who are at risk of serious harm or have been seriously harmed. You can read our policy at the bottom of this page. 

Adults in our school take all welfare concerns seriously and encourage children and young people to talk to us about anything that may worry them.

If you would like to speak to someone in school regarding safeguarding, please call 01902 632179  and ask to speak to Mrs Hoey, Safeguarding Lead or email admin@shepwell.walsall.sch.uk and say for the attention of the Safeguarding team.

Communication with Parents
Our school will always discuss concerns with parents/carers and consent for any referrals should be sought unless to do so would:

• Place the child at risk of significant harm or further risk of significant harm.
• Place a vulnerable adult at risk of harm.
• Compromise any enquiries that need to be undertaken by children’s social care or the police.

The school will endeavour to ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibilities placed on the school and staff for safeguarding children.

In the best interests of safeguarding children there may be occasions when the school has to consult with other agencies without a parent or carer’s prior knowledge. Our first concern and responsibility is the child’s welfare and we have a duty to protect children first and always.

Such consultation may result in a formal referral which could prompt visits from social care and/or the police. We fully understand that this can be a very distressing set of circumstances. Our school will follow the procedures required by Walsall Safeguarding Partnership.

Our school will employ the services of an interpreter if required.

Reporting a Concern of Abuse or Neglect

If you have a concern about a child you can speak to us.

OR

You can contact Walsall MASH on 0000 555 2866.

OR

You can contact the NSPCC by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk

You can also access their website: Reporting child abuse and neglect | NSPCC