We must follow:

• the law
• guidance from the Department for education and skills,
• local multi agency child protection procedures.

If the school is worried about a pupil’s welfare, this must refer this on.

The school will normally let the parent(s) know when they do this. We will not contact the parents if they think this would put the child or young person at risk of harm.

When the school refers a child protection concern to the county in which they live to MASH, which stands for Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. When we make a referral we must share all relevant information about the pupil.

The Data protection act allows schools to share personal information with other agencies when there are child protection concerns about a child or young person.

Within 24 hours of receiving the referral, MASH will decide what should happen next. They may decide that no further action is needed or they may decide that it needs looking into further. What action is taken will depend on the circumstances. Any of the following may be appropriate:

• An Initial Assessment
• Child Protection enquiries. This includes agencies assessing the risks to any children based upon information shared, research and talking to those concerned.
• If the referral is about an allegation about a member of staff, a strategy discussion will take place between the school, education representatives, social services and the police, to decide what should happen next.

They will contact you to let you know what is happening as soon as possible.

You can find more information by:

• Speaking to the ‘Designated Senior Leader’ for Safeguarding at school (Mrs Emma Gilbert)

• Looking at multi-agency child protection procedures on the South West Child Protection Procedures website: www.swcpp.org.uk.
• Contacting your named social worker or the Wiltshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0300 4560108 or if there is immediate danger phone 999.

Early Help information can be found on a separate page on this website.

Prevent Information can be found here.

Keeping Children Safe Website Links

For information on child protection please visit the South West Child Protection Procedures website.

The NSPCC website contains a range of information explaining child abuse and how you can help keep children safe.

Keeping Children Safe Online 

For information on how to keep children safe online Wiltshire Safeguarding website has information and useful links. The website Thinkuknow has age appropriate information for age groups.

The following websites also contain further information to keep children safe online:

• www.internetmatters.org
• https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
• nationalonlinesafety.com

A leaflet for parents regarding sexual abuse online and how you can help your child is available here.

Child Sexual Exploitation 

For specific information on child sexual exploitation please visit the Wiltshire Safeguarding website here.

For more information about child sexual exploitation the PACE website has a range of information and resources.

Emotional Health and Wellbeing 

The Wiltshire Safeguarding website has information for parents on how to support their children if they are sad, stressed or lonely. Lots of information and support can also be found on Banardos Wiltshire Healthy Minds website.

Domestic Abuse advice can be found at the Wiltshire Safeguarding website.

Wiltshire have produced a leaflet for parents on how to keep children safe. Keeping Your Children Safe

We have lots of links on our Mental Health and Wellbeing page here.