Safeguarding
At Sevenoaks Prep, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. Ensuring the safety, wellbeing and happiness of our children is our most important priority. Our dedicated safeguarding team, led by our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Helen Cook, works tirelessly to create a secure environment where every child can thrive. The team includes four Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs), each with specific areas of responsibility:
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Louisa Rowland EYFS Safeguarding |
Sophie Fuller Mental Health and Wellbeing |
Kevin Eyers Online Safeguarding: |
Laura Young Online Safeguarding: |
Our safeguarding team meets weekly to discuss important topics and collaborates closely with the school leadership team to ensure that every child is supported. We introduce children to safeguarding, explain what it means and provide guidance on what to do if they have a concern. Safeguarding is not only the responsibility of our safeguarding team but also a commitment shared by every member of staff at our school. If a parent has a safeguarding concern, they should email Mrs. Helen Cook at helen.cook@theprep.org.uk.
What is Safeguarding
Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It encompasses all the measures we take to ensure children are safe, protected and supported. This includes preventing any form of abuse, neglect or exploitation and creating an environment where children feel secure, listened to and valued.
Common Safeguarding Concerns
The most common safeguarding concerns include:
Physical Abuse: Causing deliberate physical harm to a child.
Emotional Abuse: Persistent emotional maltreatment that impacts a child’s emotional development.
Sexual Abuse: Forcing or enticing a child to engage in sexual activities.
Neglect: Failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, emotional, or educational needs.
Online Safety: Protecting children from online risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Mental Health and Wellbeing: Identifying and addressing mental health issues that may affect a child’s wellbeing and development.
What to do if you have a concern
If you have a safeguarding concern and are unable to reach a member of the school staff, we encourage you to take the following steps:
Contact Local Authorities: Reach out to your local children’s services or social care team. In Kent, this would be the Kent County Council’s Children’s Services.
Contact the Police: If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call the police by dialling 999.
NSPCC Helpline: Call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice and support.
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to working together to keep all children safe. You can find a list of all our safeguarding policies on our dedicated policies page.
Useful Links
Support for staff
Education Support Partnership: educationsupportpartnership.org.uk
Professional Online Safety Helpline: saferinternet.org.uk/helpline
Support for Pupils
NSPCC: nspcc.org.uk
ChildLine: childline.org.uk
Papyrus: papyrus-uk.org
Young Minds: youngminds.org.uk
The Mix: themix.org.uk
Support for Adults
Family Lives: familylives.org.uk
Crime Stoppers: crimestoppers-uk.org
Victim Support: victimsupport.org.uk
Kidscape: kidscape.org.uk
The Samaritans: samaritans.org
Mind: mind.org.uk
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood): napac.org.uk
MOSAC: mosac.org.uk
Action Fraud: actionfraud.police.uk
Online Safety Guides
The National College have developed a series of guides designed to help parents, educators, and carers protect children online. Below is a selection of guides parents may find useful.