Safeguarding Statement

Keeping Our Children Safe

At Clovelly House School, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is our highest priority. 

We are committed to creating a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where every pupil feels valued, listened to and protected. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and we expect all staff, governors, volunteers, visitors and contractors to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. 

Our school follows the statutory guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE, 2026) and works closely with parents, carers, social care, health professionals and other agencies to ensure that children receive the right help at the right time.  

What is Safeguarding? 

Safeguarding means: 

• Protecting children from abuse, neglect and exploitation. 
• Preventing impairment of children's mental and physical health. 
• Ensuring children grow up in safe and effective care. 
• Taking action to enable all children to achieve the best possible outcomes. 
• Promoting children's welfare, wellbeing and safety. 

Safeguarding includes: 

• Child protection 
• Online safety 
• Mental health and emotional wellbeing 
• Attendance and welfare 
• Anti-bullying 
• Health and safety 
• Behaviour support 
• Child-on-child abuse 
• Exploitation and radicalisation 
• Supporting vulnerable pupils and families 

Safeguarding is central to everything we do. 

 Prevent Duty 

As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, the school has a duty to protect children from radicalisation and extremism. 

We promote: 

• Respect 
• Tolerance 
• Inclusion 
• Critical thinking 
• British Values 

Any concerns relating to radicalisation are dealt with through safeguarding procedures and, where appropriate, referrals to external agencies. 

Safer Recruitment 

We are committed to ensuring that all adults working with children are suitable to do so. 

The school follows safer recruitment procedures, including: 

• Enhanced DBS checks 
• Identity verification 
• Qualification checks 
• Employment history checks 
• Reference checks 
• Safeguarding interviews 

All staff receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role.  

Our Safeguarding Team 

If you have concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, please contact a member of our safeguarding team immediately.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) 

Ethan Hawkins
Position: Head of School
Telephone: 07897558130
Email: schoolhead@clovellyhouse.co 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead 

Neil Robinson
Position: SENCO
Telephone: 07476498781
Email: Nrobinson@clovellyhouse.co 

Worried about a child? 

If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child:  

Contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead or a Deputy DSL immediately. 

If a child is in immediate danger 

Call: 999 for emergency police assistance. 

NSPCC Helpline 

0808 800 5000 

www.nspcc.org.uk 

We take all concerns seriously. No concern is too small. If you are worried about a child, please speak to us. 

Safeguarding Children with SEND 

At Clovelly House School, we recognise that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can face additional barriers to recognising abuse and reporting concerns. 

Some pupils may: 

• Have communication difficulties. 
• Find it difficult to express worries. 
• Be more vulnerable to bullying or exploitation. 
• Require additional support to understand relationships and personal safety. 
• Show indicators of abuse through changes in behaviour, anxiety or presentation. 

Our staff receive regular safeguarding training, including training focused on the additional vulnerabilities of children with SEND. 

We ensure that: 

• Pupils are listened to and respected. 
• Communication methods are adapted to individual needs. 
• Safeguarding information is accessible and age appropriate. 
• Pupils know who they can talk to if they are worried. 
• Families are supported to access help when needed. 

We are committed to maintaining a child-centred approach in all safeguarding matters. 

Pupil voice and speaking up 

All pupils are encouraged to: 

• Speak to a trusted adult if something worries them. 
• Report anything that makes them feel unsafe. 
• Tell us if they are worried about another child. 
• Ask for help when they need it. 

Children can speak to: 

• Any member of staff 
• Their class teacher 
• The DSL or Deputy DSL 
• Their key worker 

We want every child to know: "You will always be listened to."