Safeguarding at Little Heath School

Children and young people have the right to grow up safe from harm and abuse. If you are worried about a child or young person, please contact our Safeguarding Team.

Keeping children safe at Little Heath School

Every child at Little Heath has the right to be safe, at school, at home, online and in the community. Because our young people have additional needs, some of them may find it harder to tell us when something is wrong. That is why every member of our staff is trained to notice changes in a child, to listen, and to act. We work closely with families, and we will always try to talk to you first about any worries, unless doing so could put a child at greater risk.

Our safeguarding team

If you are worried about your child or any child, you can speak to any member of our safeguarding team.

If you are worried about a child

• If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
• During school hours, contact our DSL on 02085994864 or ask for any member of the safeguarding team at reception.
• At any time, you can contact Children's Social Care: [See the table above].
• NSPCC Helpline for adults worried about a child: 0808 800 5000.
• Childline, free and confidential for children and young people: 0800 1111.

If you are worried about an adult who works or volunteers at our school

Please tell the Headteacher straight away. If your concern is about the Headteacher, contact the Chair of Governors on dwiles@lheath.net. You can also contact the Redbridge Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) directly on lado@redbridge.gov.uk or 020 8708 5350. Every concern is taken seriously, and raising one will never affect how your child is treated.

Staying safe online

Many of our young people love tablets, games and video. These can bring real joy, but they can also expose children to people and content that are not safe. Some simple steps help:

• Set up parental controls on devices, apps, games consoles and your home broadband.
• Keep devices in shared family spaces where you can, especially in the evening.
• Use child versions of apps where available, and turn off chat features in games where possible.
• Talk to your child, in whatever way works for them, about not sharing photos or personal details and about telling a trusted adult if something online upsets them.
• If you think someone is trying to contact your child in a sexual way online, report it to CEOP: [www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre]

Useful sites: Internet Matters, including its advice for families of children with SEND [www.internetmatters.org]; NSPCC Net Aware for guides to apps and games [www.net-aware.org.uk]; UK Safer Internet Centre [www.saferinternet.org.uk].

During the school holidays

Holidays can be a happy time but also a harder one, with changes in routine and less contact with professionals. Please remember:

• Visual timetables and familiar routines can help your child cope with the change.
• Children with additional needs can be more vulnerable near water, roads and in busy places. Please supervise closely.
• Online time often increases in the holidays, so the advice above matters even more.
• The school safeguarding team is not available while school is closed. If you are worried about a child, use the contacts listed under "If you are worried about a child".
• If your family needs support, Redbridge Early Help can help: Redbridge Early Help

You can read our policies here, including: [Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy], [Online Safety Policy], [Whistleblowing Policy], [Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions and Medicines Policy], [Complaints Policy], [Behaviour Policy].