Safeguarding at Yorkswood school

At Yorkswood school we believe that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. We provide a safe environment where our pupils can learn, play, and grow, underpinned by our core principle that the best interests of the child are always our primary consideration.  

Our Safeguarding Policy sets out what is expected of us in terms of protecting the welfare of our pupils and maintaining their emotional wellbeing. We also work hard to ensure health and safety is of paramount importance.

Our Expert Team

We pride ourselves on having a highly skilled and vigilant workforce. Safeguarding is not a "once-a-year" event here; it is an ongoing priority.

• Whole-School Training: Every member of our staff—from teachers and teaching assistants to our office and site teams—undergoes regular, robust safeguarding training. This ensures everyone is fully equipped to identify early signs of concern and understands the statutory "Working Together to Safeguard Children" and "Keeping Children Safe in Education" guidance.

• Specialist Safeguarding Team: Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and Deputy DSLs possess additional specialist expertise. They undergo advanced, high-level training to manage complex safeguarding matters, support vulnerable families, and liaise with external agencies such as Birmingham Children’s Trust and the Health Service. 

 

What to do if you are Concerned

If you have any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of a child, please act immediately. We would much rather hear a concern that turns out to be nothing than miss an opportunity to help a child.

If you are on-site: Please report to the school office immediately and ask to speak with a member of the Safeguarding Team or the Headteacher.

If a child speaks to you about a concern:

• Listen with care: Allow the child to speak in their own words. Do not "investigate" or ask leading questions.

• Be honest: Never promise to keep a secret. Explain kindly that you must tell a member of staff who can help keep them safe.

• Reassure: Tell the child they have done the right thing by speaking up.

• Report: Pass the information directly to a DSL or the Headteacher without delay.

Our Culture of Accountability

We maintain a culture of total transparency. If your concern relates to the conduct of a member of staff, this must be reported directly to the Headteacher.

In the event that you have a safeguarding concern regarding the Headteacher, you should contact the Robin Hood MAT Safeguarding Lead, Chris Heath, on 0121 464 2187.

Working with Parents

We aim to work in an open and honest partnership with our parents and carers. We will always endeavour to discuss any concerns we have about a pupil with their parents/carers first. However, please understand that our legal duty to protect the child may, on occasion, require us to refer concerns to the Children's Advice and Support Service (CASS) before we speak to you. We thank you for your support in keeping our children safe.

Copies of our full Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found in the Policies section of this website.

Safeguarding Policy can be found here