Our school is fully committed and recognises the contribution it can make to protect children from harm and supporting and promoting welfare of all children. The child’s welfare is of paramount importance. Staff will establish and maintain an ethos where pupils feel secure, are encouraged to talk, are listened to and are safe.

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. We recognise that staff play a fundamental role as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children to prevent concerns from escalating. All staff are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members must always act in the best interests of the child.

The safeguarding team oversees keeping young people safe at home and at Howard's House Therapeutic School. Until the headteacher starts in post the DSL will be:

Ollie Sharp
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
01536 904277
ollie.sharp@howardshouseschool.org

• Integrated Front door (previously MASH): If your concern is of an immediate safeguarding nature then please contact the Integrated Front Door on 01234 718700 during office hours (8.45am to 5.20pm, Monday to Thursday; 8.45am to 4.20pm on a Friday) or out of office hours please call the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0300 300 8123.
• Bedford Borough LADO: Please phone: 01234 276 693 or email: lado@bedford.gov.uk

Safeguarding Information - Support for Young people and Families 'Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of young people and protect them from harm. Safeguarding involves keeping young people and vulnerable adults safe from abuse and maltreatment, ensuring they have the best outcomes and are provided with safe and effective care, and that they are able to grow and develop happily and healthily without the risk of abuse or neglect.' NSPCC

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of young people and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means:

• Protecting young people from abuse and maltreatment
• Preventing harm to young people's health or development
• Ensuring young people grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable all young people and young people to have the best outcomes

Safeguarding young people and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all young people up to the age of 18

Child Protection is part of Safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific young people who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm

All staff will have undertaken safeguarding training as a prerequisite to employment as well as ongoing professional development. All staff must read and sign Part 1 of KCSIE to ensure staff are familiar to all updates released on an annual basis. Additionally, there is a rolling programme of professional development for staff to address safeguarding themes throughout the academic year

• Working Together to Safeguard Children DfE (December 2023)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education DfE (2025)