At QMAT, we believe that if a pupil is to thrive and be successful, they must first feel safe and secure. We take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously, and are proud of the care and support we offer all members of our community.

All our schools and staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children. 

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families/carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all staff ensure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interest of the child.

The Child Protection Policies, provided by each school within the trust, is for all staff, parents, governors, volunteers and the wider school community. 

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children (everyone under the age of 18) is defined in Keeping Children Safe in Education as:

• Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as problems emerge.
• Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online.
• Preventing the 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.
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Our trust has a whole-school approach to safeguarding, which ensures that keeping children safe is at the heart of everything we do and underpins all systems, processes and policies.

The Safeguarding Teams at each school work closely with pastoral staff, ‘in house’ services and with external agencies to ensure specialist support is available to young people and their parents / guardians.

For information on the individual safeguarding procedures for the schools within the trust, please contact the school concerned.

In an Emergency

If you are worried about the safety of a child, you should contact the police on 999 or 101, depending on the urgency. 

OR

Call 111 Option 2 for Mental Health

Essex Social Care:

Contact Social Care for urgent and immediate concerns for the safety and welfare of a child or young person, you can contact Essex Social Care. Telephone: 0345 603 7627 (office hours) 0345 606 1212 (out of office hours).

If you have an urgent concern about a child’s mental health, please contact the Crisis Team. Freephone 0800 953 0222 (Monday - Friday Between 0900-1700) 

Or

Call NELFT Mental Health Direct: 0800 995 1000 (Out of Hours / Weekend or Bank Holidays) 

In an emergency if urgent help is required please contact 999.