Safeguarding

At Broadwindsor School, we seek to provide a safe and supportive environment which secures the well being and very best outcomes for children in our care. We take seriously our duty to to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people in our care.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Jean-Paul Draper (email: j-pdraper@broadwindsor.dorset.sch.uk)

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Beth Steward (email:bsteward@broadwindsor.dorset.sch.uk) and Emma Costin (email:ecostin@broadwindsor.dorset.sch.uk)

Our Nominated Safeguarding Governor is Geoff Fretwell

If you have any concerns about a child, the people to talk to are listed above. You can also call the school number on 01308 868376.

If you have urgent information about a child or young person and need a social worker in the evening or on a weekend, call 01202 228866 – the Children’s Safeguarding Out of Hours Service

For support with domestic abuse, Dorset Council has a dedicated service – You First, who work with women, men and children. Contact them confidentially on their free phone number – 0800 032 5204. (Please be aware that calls to 0800 numbers may show up on itemised phone bills)

Full information can be found from this LINK

Operation Encompass Safeguarding Statement

Our school is part of Operation Encompass. This is a police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience Domestic Abuse.

Operation Encompass means that the police will share information about Domestic Abuse incidents with our school soon after they have been called to a domestic incident. The full statement can be read in the pdf document below.

Private Fostering

Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if they are disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a ‘close relative’. This is a private arrangement made between a parent and a carer for 28 days or more. Close relatives are defined as step-parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles or aunts (whether of full blood, half blood or marriage).

There are a variety of reasons why a parent may be unable to care for their own child on a short or long term basis and a private fostering arrangement can be a positive response from friends and the local community to a family in need of support. However, any child separated from their parents is potentially vulnerable and we all have responsibilities to ensure the alternative care they receive meets their welfare and safety needs.

To help us keep children safe and support families, all parents and private foster carers must notify their Local Council. If not, they miss out on essential welfare checks for the children, plus other support services.

These include: