At Harrietsham Church of England Primary School, we fully recognise our responsibilities for safeguarding and child protection.  Our school is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children.  We aim to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded from the potential risk of harm and that the safety and wellbeing of all children is of the highest priority in all aspects of our work.  We believe that children have the right to learn in an environment that is safe, caring, inclusive and supportive.  This includes being protected from all types of abuse, in both the children's physical and virtual environments. In addition, we aim to maintain an ethos whereby staff, pupils, parents, volunteers and governors feel able to articulate concerns comfortably, safe in the knowledge that effective action will be taken as appropriate.

As part of the ethos of the school, and in regard to the Every Child Matters Children’s Act 2005, we are committed to:

• Providing an environment in which children feel safe, secure, valued and respected, confident to talk openly and sure of being listened to.
• Providing suitable support and guidance so that children feel confident to approach appropriate adults.
• Using the curriculum to provide opportunities for increasing self awareness, self-esteem, assertiveness and decision-making.
• Working with parents to ensure welfare of all children which may involve other agencies.
• Ensuring all staff are able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and are aware of the school’s procedures and lines of communication.

If you are ever concerned about the safety or wellbeing of someone at our school, please ask at the office to speak to our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Jo Griffin, or to one of our Deputy DSLs:

Please be aware that Amy Smith (FLO) and Kathy Roberts (Attendance and Admissions Officer) are also trained DSL's.

Online Safety is an important aspect of safeguarding our children.  Adults in our school recognise when children need additional support and are confident in applying our safeguarding procedures.  Our children are given the opportunity to learn about how to be safe through their curriculum and through daily interactions with adults and children.

General Safeguarding Advice

Click the links below to find general advice about how to best safeguard the children in your care.

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If you think someone is in immediate danger, the best thing to do is call 999 for the emergency services.

If they are not in immediate danger, report your concern to KCC via the link below.

Report your concern

There are 3 ways to tell KCC about your concern: online, phone, or email.

Click the image below for the link to report a concern for a child:

Click the image below for the link to report a concern for an adult:

• Email: social.services@kent.gov.uk
• Phone: 03000 41 61 61 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• Phone (out of hours): 03000 41 91 91
• Text relay: 18001 03000 41 61 61.
• If you have a hearing or speech impairment, Relay UK can make communication over the phone easier.