Safeguarding
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
Safeguarding means:
- protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
- preventing harm to children’s health or development
- ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
- taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focusses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.
Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
Safeguarding Statement
Thames Ditton Infant School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff, volunteers, and visitors to share this commitment.
We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of every pupil. We are dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment where children are respected, valued, and supported. We remain vigilant to the signs of abuse and neglect, and we follow clear procedures to ensure that children receive effective support and protection. Child protection is an integral part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities.
To this end, the school has a comprehensive Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy in place, which outlines our procedures and expectations. All staff, including supply staff, volunteers, and governors, are required to be familiar with and adhere to these procedures. The policy is available on the school website and can also be requested from the school office. A printed copy is available in the Safeguarding Information section located at the front entrance.
Reporting a Concern
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, please record your concern—including any relevant observations or conversations—and report it immediately to Mrs E. Leach (Designated Safeguarding Lead) or, in her absence, to a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL). Please do not attempt to investigate the matter yourself.
If your concern relates to the actions or behaviour of a member of staff (which may indicate that they are unsuitable to work with children), you must report this to the DSL or a DDSL in confidence. They will refer the matter to the Headteacher as appropriate.
If your concern relates to the behaviour of the Headteacher herself (which may indicate she is unsuitable to work with children), you should contact the Chair of Governors directly. The Chair of Governors for Thames Ditton Infant School is Mr B Carr. He can be contacted via the School Business Manager on telephone 0208 398 5842 or by e-mail.
| Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) | Mrs E. Leach |
| Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) | Mrs M. Dennemont |
| Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) | Mrs K Lita |
| Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) | Mrs S Coulter |
| Child Protection and Safeguarding Governor | Mrs S Palmer |
All of the above personnel can be contacted through Thames Ditton Infant School by phone on 0208 398 5842 or by e-mail
Helplines
Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Make a report to one of the CEOP's Child Protection Advisors: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre
Help for children and young people : Childline - 📞0800 11 11
Help for adults concerned about a child: NSPCC - 📞0808 800 5000
Anonymous helpline, email and chat services for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse and how to prevent it: Stop It Now - 📞0808 1000 900