Safeguarding

“Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined for the purposes of this guidance as: protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.“ KCSIE

At Tettenhall Wood School, safeguarding children and young people is more than just a policy; it’s our unequivocal commitment. We expect everyone who works in our school, from staff to volunteers, to share in this vital responsibility.

Adults in our school are not just educators; they are guardians of welfare. We take all concerns about our pupils’ wellbeing seriously and create an atmosphere where children and young people feel encouraged to talk to us about anything that may worry them.

We don’t just recognize our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children; we act on it daily. We understand that safeguarding isn’t the sole responsibility of a select few but a collective duty. Everyone who interacts with our children and families plays a crucial role in identifying concerns, sharing information, and taking prompt, appropriate action.

Safety at Tettenhall Wood School goes beyond physical security. We strive to provide a welcoming environment founded on a culture of openness. Here, both children and adults feel secure, are comfortable talking openly, and trust that they are being genuinely listened to.

Our approach to safeguarding and child protection is ‘child-centered,’ always acting in the ‘best interests’ of our children. This philosophy guides our every decision and action.

Our commitment to safeguarding extends to ongoing education. We ensure that everyone within our community is well-informed about their safeguarding responsibilities. Moreover, we provide staff, volunteers, and governors with the framework, training, and support they need to ensure our pupils and students are safe and secure. For parents and guardians, we offer transparency, communicating clearly how we will protect their children while under our care.

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Communication with Parents

Our school will always discuss concerns with parents/carers and consent for any referrals should be sought unless to do so would:

Place the child at risk of significant harm or further risk of significant harm;
Place a vulnerable adult at risk of harm; and
Compromise any enquiries that need to be undertaken by children’s social care or the police.

The school will endeavour to ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibilities placed on the school and staff for safeguarding children.

In the best interests of safeguarding children there may be occasions when the school has to consult with other agencies without a parent or carer’s prior knowledge. Our first concern and responsibility is the child’s welfare and we have a duty to protect children first and always. Such consultation may result in a formal referral which could prompt visits from social care and/or the police. We fully understand that this can be a very distressing set of circumstances. Our school will follow the procedures required by the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children Board.

Our school will employ the services of an interpreter if required.

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Operation Encompass

Tettenhall Wood School is honored to partner with West Midlands Police on a vital initiative known as Operation Encompass. This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of our students.

What is Operation Encompass?

Operation Encompass has a singular, crucial purpose: to safeguard and support children who have experienced, heard, or witnessed a domestic abuse incident. In the aftermath of such traumatic events, children may come to school distressed, anxious, and unprepared for the day ahead.

How Does It Work?

Our partnership with West Midlands Police ensures that appropriate school staff, referred to as Key Adults, are notified promptly following any such incident. This early awareness enables them to provide timely and compassionate support to the affected children.

The Goal of Operation Encompass

The objective of Operation Encompass is more than just immediate care; it’s about creating an environment where children feel safe and included despite their distressing experiences. By working hand-in-hand with law enforcement, we can foster a space of understanding and empathy, helping our students to thrive.”

Our Key Adult is Mrs H. Masters.

Operation Encompass Letter to Parents