Our centre fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect children from harm and supporting and promoting welfare of all children who attend our learning centre. The child’s welfare is of paramount importance. Our centre will establish and maintain an ethos where pupils feel secure, are encouraged to talk, are listened to and are safe. Children will be able to talk freely to any member of staff at our centre if they are worried or concerned about something. All staff will reassure victims that they are being taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe. Victims will never be given the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting abuse, sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. We recognise that staff at our centre play a particularly important role as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children to prevent concerns from escalating. All staff are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members must always act in the best interests of the child.

The safeguarding team oversees keeping young people safe at home and at Meadow Farm. The team will liaise with schools and other professionals relating to young people who have been referred to our provision.

Ollie Sharp
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
01536 904277
ollie.sharp@meadowfarmlc.org

• MASH: 0300 126 7000
• If you need to contact Northamptonshire Children’s Trust urgently during the evening, at night, or at the weekend, please phone: 01604 626938
• LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer): LADOConsultations@NCTrust.co.uk

Safeguarding Information - Support for Young people and Families 'Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of young people and protect them from harm. Safeguarding involves keeping young people and vulnerable adults safe from abuse and maltreatment, ensuring they have the best outcomes and are provided with safe and effective care, and that they are able to grow and develop happily and healthily without the risk of abuse or neglect.' NSPCC

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

• Protecting young people from abuse and maltreatment
• Preventing harm to young people's health or development
• Ensuring young people grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable all young people and young people to have the best outcomes

Safeguarding young people and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all young people up to the age of 18

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

All staff will have undertaken safeguarding training as a prerequisite to employment as well as ongoing professional development. All staff must read and sign Part 1 of KCSIE to ensure staff are familiar to all updates released on an annual basis. Additionally, there is a rolling programme of professional development for staff to address safeguarding themes throughout the academic year

• Working Together to Safeguard Children DfE (December 2023)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education DfE (2024)