Safeguarding

Schools and their staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. 

(Keeping Children Safe in Education – DfE, 2023)

Key staff:

We take safeguarding very seriously. Everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe, although there are certain key people with particular responsibilities:

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs J McManus
  • Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs C Martinez
  • Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs K Woodley
  • Link Governor for safeguarding: Mrs B Stannard

Our commitment to safeguarding:

William de Ferrers is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We place high expectations on all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. We have policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our child protection policy​​

William de Ferrers works proactively with outside agencies to safeguard children and young people. We may need to share information with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare.

William de Ferrers works with external organisations to promote safeguarding themes within the school. These themes are also promoted through the curriculum, pastoral systems and assemblies. We place a high emphasis on developing behaviour that is good or outstanding which contributes to learners feeling safe.

William de Ferrers is dedicated to ensuring that children and young people are valued, respected, listened to and taken seriously especially with regard to their safety and wellbeing. The school encourages young people to report concerns and we endeavour to provide support while encouraging individuals to adapt safe and responsible practices.

The school has a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead who have undertaken appropriate safeguarding training along with members of the Senior Leadership Team. All staff receive regular safeguarding training.

How to contact the safeguarding team at William de Ferrers:

There is a dedicated email account which can be used by pupils, students and parents/carers - safeguarding@wdf.school. Any emails which are sent to this email address will be responded to within 48 hours.This email account is dedicated to issues concerning safeguarding and child protection and does not replace existing means of communicating with school staff.

Please also note that this is not a 24-hour helpline and will only be monitored during school operating hours. In the event of an emergency an appropriate adult or the police should be contacted.

Local Authority contacts:​​​​

Organisation:

Nature of agency:

Contact details:

Children and Families Hub

The Children & Families Hub is able to provide advice and consultancy and accept referrals.

Tel: 0345 603 7627 (office hours)

Tel: 0345 606 1212 (out of hours)

Essex Safeguarding Children Board

ESCB is able to provide advice.

Tel: 0345 603 7627

Support for families:

www.nelft.nhs.uk

Supporting Young people's mental health

youngminds.org.uk

Child & Adolescent Mental Health

papyrus-uk.org

Papyrus

www.kooth.com

Young Person’s Advice & Counselling 

www.healthforteens.co.uk

Information & Advice about Health

Childline logo

www.childline.org.uk

Childline

NSPCC logo

www.nspcc.org.uk

Child Protection 

www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Information & Advice about Bullying

www.disrespectnobody.co.uk

Healthy Relationships  

www.fearless.org/en

Information & Advice about Crime

www.talktofrank.com

Drugs Advice Line

www.gangsline.com

Information & Advice about Gangs

www.familylives.org.uk

Parenting Advice

https://www.childrenssocietyeast.org.uk

Community support for Children and Families

www.actearly.uk

Action Counters Terrorism - ACT Early will listen and are there to help.

Contact them in confidence and they’ll listen carefully to your concerns. You will not be wasting our time. Their approach begins by understanding people are victims of radicalisation; they don’t view them as suspects or criminals.

Digital apps: