We want every child to feel safe, known and able to speak to an adult when something is worrying them. We take concerns seriously, including the small things that may not seem significant on their own, and we work with families and other agencies when further support is needed. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Our safeguarding practice is reviewed in line with the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education. Parents and carers do not need evidence or certainty before getting in touch. If something feels concerning, please tell us early.

Safeguarding contact: safeguarding@moorfieldschool.co.uk
School Office: 01943 607285

How safeguarding works at Moorfield

Safeguarding is not something we revisit only at annual training. All staff receive safeguarding training and regular updates, and safeguarding is a discussion point in our weekly whole-staff meetings. This keeps procedures, patterns and emerging issues visible in day-to-day school life.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy DSL meet weekly to review safeguarding practice and any actions that need following up. The DSL also meets with the Safeguarding Governor at least termly, and more often where needed, ahead of safeguarding reporting to governors.
When a concern is shared, we listen, make an accurate record, consider immediate safety and what the child needs, then provide support or seek further advice or referral where appropriate.
Moorfield uses CPOMS as its secure system for recording and managing safeguarding, pastoral and welfare concerns, helping safeguarding leads build a clear picture over time.

Helping children learn to keep themselves safe

Safeguarding is also taught, talked about and practiced with children in age-appropriate ways. Our PSHE programme, including RSHE, supports children to learn about healthy relationships, personal boundaries, wellbeing, asking for help and staying safer online. These messages are reinforced through the wider curriculum, assemblies, pastoral conversations and everyday school life.

Operation Encompass

Moorfield is part of Operation Encompass, a police and education information-sharing partnership that helps schools offer timely support to children who have experienced domestic abuse. Mrs Minshall is Moorfield’s trained Operation Encompass Key Adult.
If police attend a domestic abuse incident involving a child connected to Moorfield, a confidential notification may be shared with the school before the start of the next school day. This allows us to respond sensitively and put support in place without expecting a child to explain or revisit what has happened in order to receive help. Information is shared only with staff who need it to safeguard and support the child.

The Prevent Duty

Prevent forms part of our wider safeguarding work. Staff know to be alert to concerns that a child may be vulnerable to radicalising influences, including online. Any concern is considered through our safeguarding procedures and appropriate advice or support is sought where needed.

Online safety and CEOP

Online safety is woven through our curriculum and our work with families. Children are encouraged to tell a trusted adult if something online worries, frightens or pressures them.
CEOP provides a route for children, young people and adults to report concerns about online sexual abuse or grooming. It is not the reporting route for ordinary online bullying, hacked accounts or friendship difficulties, but those concerns can still be shared with school so that we can support the child.

Worried about something?

Children can use the physical Worry Box in school if they would like help to start a conversation with an adult. Children and families can also use our Virtual Worry Box on the Moorfield website. You do not need to decide whether something ‘counts’ as a safeguarding concern before speaking to us – one concern is enough to start a conversation.

Safeguarding information for families

Our safeguarding newsletter brings together practical information for families, key contacts and current safeguarding updates.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.