SAFEGUARDING

at The Winterton Federation

Safeguarding at The Winterton Federation

The health and safety of all our children is of paramount importance. Parents and carers send their children to school each day with the expectation that school provides a secure environment in which their children can flourish. We therefore take every practicable measure to ensure that this expectation becomes reality.

Everyone in our community has the responsibility to act on any concerns that they may have about a child’s well being and safety.

Designated Safeguarding Leader (DSL):

  • Jo Spencer (Executive Headteacher)
  • Dawn Lovatt (Pastoral Manager)

Deputy Safeguarding Leader (DDSL):

  • Adam Downs (Deputy Headteacher)
  • Nicky West (Learning Mentor)
  • Donna Goodhand (Learning Mentor)
  • Helena Kennedy (Assistant Headteacher)
  • Naomi Downs (Assistant Headteacher)

The Governors responsible for Safeguarding are:

  • Mrs Rosie Hoyle, to raise concerns with Mrs Hoyle, please email her at rosie.hoyle@thewintertonfederation.co.uk
  • Mrs Cheryl Baxter, to raise concerns with Mrs Baxter, please email her at cheryl.baxter@thewintertonfederation.co.uk


Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and if you are concerned that a child or young person may be at risk of harm, contact North Lincolnshire Children’s Services Duty Team on:

01724 296500 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Thursday or 9am to 4:30pm – Friday
01724 296555 – Out of office hours including weekends

999 – Police emergency
101 – Police non-emergency

Parents and Carers

We pride ourselves in the effort we make to develop a nurturing and caring ethos and relationship with our families.

We are delighted to be able to support families throughout any stresses or strains they may have. We can do this ‘in house’ by giving family members our time and counselling skills or we can enlist the help of our professional colleagues who can access or signpost services in the medical, mental health or social services departments.

Occasionally, we do have a worry or query about some aspect of a child’s life. This might be because a child is upset or because a parent has approached us for help. We have long since realised that we do not live in a perfect world and none of us have the perfect answer to child-related problems.

However, we are legally obliged to pass on any concerns we have about a child’s safety and wellbeing to the appropriate authority. We never do this anonymously and we never do it behind parents’ backs unless circumstances call for this. If we have a concern about your child we would normally discuss our intentions with you. If we are approached by social services or any other safeguarding body/force, we are obliged to work with them to support any issues they have been asked to investigate and it would be up to them as the lead professionals, to inform you about their concerns.

If we ever have serious concerns that a child is being subjected to criminal behaviour, we would immediately contact the appropriate authority without delay in order to keep the child protected from any further harm.

Children who are distressed or anxious about something relating to their home life may disclose information to us and seek our help. We always tell the child that we cannot keep secrets and must act on their information if we feel that their safety is in danger or they are in danger of criminal harm. The same goes for any adult disclosure, if it concerns serious harm of any child.

We are here to educate, help, support, nurture and safeguard your child. If you have any more questions relating to Child Protection in our school, please contact our Child Protection Officers.

Adults Working on Site

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expect all adults on site to share this commitment.

If you have concerns, please record these, along with any observation or conversation heard, and report this as soon as possible to the safeguarding lead. Staff also have access to CPOMs to record this information.

Do not conduct your own investigation • Do not keep your own personal records • Do keep all concerns and information confidential

Concerns may arise if:

  • You see an injury
  • A pupil discloses information
  • Another adult expresses concern
  • You see an unusual difference in a child’s behaviour or appearance.

If a pupil chooses to tell you something:

  • Promise confidentiality but not secrecy – any safeguarding concerns will always need to be passed on
  • Reassure the child that they have done the right thing
  • Listen but do not ask leading questions
  • Record and pass on your concerns to a member of the safeguarding team

Your help in supporting our safeguarding work is appreciated by the Federation and  our pupils. If you do not feel your concerns have been dealt with appropriately, then please call the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

The Winterton Federation is part of a project run by Humberside Police called Operation Encompass.

The project aims to support children who are affected by Domestic Abuse.

As a result, following any domestic abuse incident specialist police officers will contact the school and communicate relevant and necessary information to nominated and trained school staff.  This will ensure that the school is made aware before the start of the next school day and can subsequently provide support in a way that means the child feels safe.

There is also more information on their website – www.operationencompass.org