Safeguarding at Acre Heads
The safety, wellbeing, and health of every child at Acre Heads are our highest priorities. Parents and carers entrust us with their children each day, and we are committed to providing a secure, supportive environment where every pupil can thrive. We take every practicable measure to ensure that this commitment is met.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All members of our school community — staff, governors, parents, and visitors — are expected to act promptly on any concerns about a child’s welfare or safety.
Our safeguarding team:
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Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mrs Baker
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Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Mr Sitch
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Child Protection Co-ordinator & Family Liaison Officer: Mrs Perkins
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Safeguarding Governor: Mrs Lucy Morris
If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact the school and speak with our safeguarding team — your first point of contact should be Mrs Perkins. If needed, concerns can then be referred to our Safeguarding Governor, Mrs Lucy Morris.
You may contact our Safeguarding Governor, Mrs Lucy Morris, if:
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Concerns are not addressed: You have raised a safeguarding matter with the school’s DSL and feel it has not been taken seriously or resolved appropriately.
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Unsatisfactory policies or procedures: You have identified gaps in the school’s safeguarding policies or practices, such as procedures for school trips or staff recruitment.
To contact Mrs Morris, please do so via the school office or contact her using the following email l.morris@acreheads.eriding.net.
For more information about safeguarding at Acre Heads, please see our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy or contact the school office.
Parents and Carers
Working Together to Support and Safeguard Children
At Acre Heads, we pride ourselves on fostering a nurturing and caring ethos, building strong and positive relationships with our families.
We are committed to supporting families through any stresses or challenges they may face. This may be done in-house, offering time, listening, and pastoral support from our trained staff, or by connecting families with trusted professional colleagues who can access or signpost services in health, mental health, or social care.
From time to time, we may have a concern about an aspect of a child’s life. This could be because a child appears upset, or because a parent has approached us for help. We understand that no family is perfect and that there is rarely a simple answer to every problem.
However, we are legally obliged to share any concerns we have about a child’s safety or wellbeing with the appropriate authorities. Wherever possible, we will discuss our concerns and intended actions with parents first. The only exception to this is if we believe that discussing the matter could place a child at further risk. If contacted by social services or another safeguarding body, we will work closely with them to support their investigation. As the lead professionals, they will decide how and when to inform parents of their concerns.
If we have serious concerns that a child may be experiencing criminal harm, we will contact the relevant authority immediately to ensure their safety.
Children sometimes disclose worries to us, particularly if they feel anxious or distressed about something in their home life. We always explain that we cannot promise to keep secrets if we believe they, or another child, are at risk of harm. This same principle applies to any safeguarding information disclosed by an adult.
Our role is to educate, support, nurture, and protect your child. If you have any questions about safeguarding or child protection at Acre Heads, please contact our Child Protection team.
Adults Working on Site
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expect every adult on site to share this commitment.
If you have a safeguarding concern, please record it — including any observations, conversations heard, or disclosures — and report it immediately.
• Inform a member of the Safeguarding Team as soon as possible.
• Staff should log concerns via CPOMs.
• Visitors or volunteers should use a Pink Form (available in the staffroom).
• All completed forms should be returned without delay to Safeguarding Team
Important:
• Do not conduct your own investigation.
• Do not keep your own personal records.
• Do keep all concerns and information strictly confidential.
Concerns may arise from:
• Observing an injury.
• A pupil telling you something.
• Another adult sharing a concern.
• Something you have seen or heard that feels unusual or concerning.
If a pupil chooses to share something with you:
1. Promise confidentiality but not secrecy — explain that you may tell someone who can help keep them safe.
2. Reassure the child they have done the right thing in speaking up.
3. Listen carefully without asking leading questions.
4. Record exactly what was said and pass it on to the Safeguarding Team immediately.
Your vigilance is vital to keeping children safe. If you feel your concern has not been handled appropriately, you can contact:
• Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): 01482 396999
• Safeguarding Governor: Mrs Lucy Morris – email or contact via the school office.
Operation Encompass
Acre Heads 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 make contact with 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
