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Safeguarding & E-Safety

Our commitment

At The Southwater Infant Academy, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is our highest priority. We are committed to creating a safe, secure and nurturing environment where all children can learn and thrive.

All staff, trustees and volunteers have a responsibility to safeguard children and promote their welfare. We work closely with parents, carers and external agencies to ensure every child is protected from harm.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead Team

If you have any concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing, please contact:

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs Christie Cavallo

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads - Mr Matthew White & Mrs Emily Jull

How to report a concern

If you're worried about a child's safety or wellbeing, please speak to our Designated Safeguarding Leads as soon as possible. You can:

For urgent concerns outside of school hours, you can contact:

  • West Sussex Children's Services: 0330 222 7799
  • Police: 999 (in an emergency)
  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

What happens when a concern is raised?

When we receive a safeguarding concern, we will:

  1. Listen carefully and take your concern seriously
  2. Record the information accurately
  3. Assess the concern and decide on appropriate action
  4. Work with you and other agencies where necessary to keep the child safe

We may need to share information with other agencies, such as social care or the police, if we believe a child is at risk of harm. We will always act in the best interests of the child.

Keeping children safe online

The internet and technology play a significant role in children's lives, even at a young age. We teach our pupils how to stay safe online, both at school and at home.

What we teach

Our pupils learn about:

  • Using technology safely and respectfully
  • Understanding that not everything online is true
  • Who to talk to if something online makes them worried or uncomfortable
  • Keeping personal information private
  • Being kind online

How you can help at home

You can support your child's online safety by:

  • Supervising internet use - Keep devices in communal areas where you can see what your child is doing
  • Using parental controls - Set up age-appropriate filters and restrictions on devices, apps and games
  • Talking regularly - Ask your child what they're doing online and who they're talking to
  • Setting boundaries - Agree rules about screen time and which apps/games are appropriate
  • Being a role model - Show positive online behaviour yourself

Useful online safety resources

Reporting online safety concerns

If you have concerns about your child's online safety, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Leads.

You can also report concerning online content to:

Talk PANTS - keeping children safe from abuse

PANTS is a simple way to help keep children safe from sexual abuse, using language that children can understand.

P - Privates are private
A - Always remember your body belongs to you
N - No means no
T - Talk about secrets that upset you
S - Speak up, someone can help

Teaching your child the Underwear Rule helps protect them from abuse without using scary words.

Resources for parents:

Our safeguarding policies

You can read our full safeguarding and child protection policies here:

Further information and support

NSPCC
The NSPCC has helpful resources about safeguarding and keeping children safe.
Visit: www.nspcc.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Childline
Children can contact Childline if they need to talk to someone.
Call: 0800 1111
Visit: www.childline.org.uk

West Sussex Local Safeguarding Children Partnership
www.westsussexscp.org.uk