Safeguarding

Safeguarding is at the core of all we do at Water Leys and safeguarding our children is everyone's responsibility. 

If you have concerns about a child within school hours, please contact the office on 0116 2884135 and ask to speak to either Mr Wright or Mrs Goodwin who are our Designated Safeguarding Leaders. If you have a concern out of school hours and need help or need to report a concern, call 0116 305 0005. This will direct you to Leicestershire Children's Social Services. If a child is immediately at risk, please call the Police on 999. 

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) are Mr Wright and Mrs Goodwin, Co-Headteachers. They are also the Prevent Leaders for the school.  Mrs Faye Jarrams-Royley is our Governor responsible for Safeguarding. 

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL) are Mrs Benstead and Miss McMahon.

The Key aspects of the DSL role are:

• Making sure all staff are aware how to raise safeguarding concerns
• Ensuring all staff understand the symptoms of child abuse and neglect
• Referring any concerns to social care
• Monitoring children who are the subject of Child Protection Plans
• Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records

The school has a statutory responsibility to share any concerns it might have about a child in need of protection with other agencies and in particular Police, Health and Children’s Services. Schools are not able to investigate concerns but have a legal duty to refer them. In most instances, the school will be able to inform the parents/carers of the need to make a referral.

However, sometimes the school is advised by Children’s Social Care or Police that the parent/carer cannot be informed whilst they investigate the matter. We understand the anxiety parents/carers understandably feel when they are not told about any concerns from the outset, but the school will follow legislation that aims to act in the best interests of the child.