'Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility'
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in keeping children safe. To fulfil this responsibility effectively, all staff at our school adopt a child-centred approach, ensuring that the best interests of the child are at the heart of every decision and action.
We are committed to creating a culture where children feel safe, valued, listened to, and supported. We follow all statutory safeguarding guidance and work closely with parents, carers, and external agencies, including Children’s Social Care, the Police, Health Services, and the Cheshire East Safeguarding Children Partnership, where appropriate, to support children and families.
Safeguarding is actively promoted throughout the school through our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), assemblies, and themed safeguarding awareness events. These opportunities help children develop the knowledge, skills, resilience, and confidence needed to keep themselves safe, healthy, and supported both within school and in the wider community.
Regular school attendance is essential to a child’s educational achievement, emotional wellbeing, and overall safety. We recognise that children who are absent from school regularly, or who are persistently absent, may be at increased risk of harm or vulnerability. For this reason, attendance is regarded as a key safeguarding responsibility and is monitored closely by all staff. We work collaboratively with families to promote positive attendance, identify concerns at an early stage, and provide appropriate support where needed. Through this partnership approach, we aim to ensure that every child is safe, feels supported, and can access the full benefits of their education.
Our school is committed to providing:
- A safe, secure, and inclusive learning environment.
- Robust recruitment and vetting procedures for all staff, governors, and volunteers.
- Regular safeguarding and child protection training for staff and governors.
- Clear procedures for identifying, reporting, and responding to safeguarding concerns.
- Effective support for pupils’ emotional health, wellbeing, and personal development.
- Opportunities for children to learn how to stay safe both online and offline.
If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please contact the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or a member of the safeguarding team immediately.
Together, by working in partnership with children, families, staff, and external agencies, we can help ensure that every child is safe, happy, supported, and able to thrive.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Sally Whitehead, Principal
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead(s): Siobhan Watts, Emma Sheridan, Rachael Lewis, Holly Haughton, Stuart Owen, Michaela Taylor, Kerry Rider, Sam Davies
Safeguarding Governor: Jan Diamond
Telephone: 01270 845911
Email: office@wheelock.cheshire.sch.uk
Cheshire East Integrated Front Door: 0300 123 5012 (Option 3, Option 2)
If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact the Police on 999.
Our Commitment
"Every child has the right to feel safe, secure and listened to. We are committed to protecting children and promoting their welfare at all times."
At our school, we are fortunate to have a dedicated Safeguarding and Learning Mentor who provides pastoral, wellbeing, and safeguarding support to pupils and their families.
Our mentor works closely with children who may need additional emotional support, guidance with friendships or behaviour, help with attendance, or support during difficult times. They can also offer advice and signposting for parents and carers, helping families access the right support when needed.
If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing, emotional health, family circumstances, or safeguarding, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Parents and carers are welcome to contact our Safeguarding and Learning Mentor esheridan@wheelock.cheshire.sch.uk directly for advice, support, or to discuss any concerns.
We believe that working together with families is key to ensuring every child feels safe, supported, and able to thrive.
We understand that sometimes families may need a little extra support. Our Safeguarding and Learning Mentor is available to offer advice, guidance, and signposting to local services that can support children, young people, and their families.
If you would like support with your child's wellbeing, family circumstances, attendance, behaviour, emotional health, housing, finances, or accessing services within the community, please contact our Safeguarding and Learning Mentor who will be happy to help and discuss the most appropriate support available.
Families may also find the following services helpful:
Cheshire East Family Hubs
Family Hubs provide information, advice, parenting support, activities, and access to a range of services for families with children and young people aged 0-19 (up to 25 for those with SEND). They offer support with child development, family relationships, emotional wellbeing, and connecting families to local services.
Website: Family Hubs
Email: familyhubs@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Live Well Cheshire East
Live Well Cheshire East is an online directory providing access to hundreds of local health, wellbeing, family support, SEND, and community services. It is a useful resource for finding support for mental health, wellbeing, parenting, and local community activities.
Website: Live Well Cheshire East
Childline
Childline is a free, confidential service for children and young people under 19. Children can speak to a trained counsellor about any worry, no matter how big or small. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 0800 1111
Website: Childline | Free counselling service for kids and young people
Visyon
Visyon is a Cheshire-based charity that supports the emotional health and mental wellbeing of children, young people, and their families. They offer a range of services including counselling, therapeutic support, group work, and family support to help children and young people develop resilience and positive mental wellbeing.
Website: PARENTS | visyon
Phone: 01260 290000
Email: admin@visyon.org.uk
Cheshire East Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (CESCP)
The Cheshire East Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (CESCP) works to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm and grow up in safe, supportive environments. Their website provides a wealth of information, advice, and guidance for parents, carers, children, and professionals on a wide range of safeguarding topics, including online safety, bullying, domestic abuse, mental health, neglect, and child exploitation. Families can also access local support services and resources through the CESCP website
Cheshire East Safeguarding Children’s Partnership
If you are unsure where to turn for help, please contact our Safeguarding and Learning Mentor, who will be happy to discuss your concerns and help you access the right support.
Our school is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces.
Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse and other issues that may impact upon their wellbeing.
As a school we have ensured that a member of our staff, (Designated Safeguarding Lead) known as a Key Adult, has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the child/ren in our care.
The Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit (DAFSU) provides specialist support, advice, and guidance to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. Their team works to help keep adults and children safe, offering practical and emotional support, risk assessment, safety planning, and access to other relevant services. If you are experiencing domestic abuse or are worried about someone else, support is available and you do not have to face it alone.
Keeping children safe online is an important part of safeguarding at our school. Technology plays a significant role in children's lives and can provide many positive opportunities for learning, communication, and entertainment. We are committed to helping pupils develop the knowledge and skills they need to use technology safely, responsibly, and respectfully.
Online safety is taught throughout our curriculum, with age-appropriate lessons that help children understand how to stay safe online, protect their personal information, recognise risks, and know how to seek help if they encounter something that worries them.
To help keep children safe whilst using technology in school, we have appropriate filtering and monitoring systems in place on all school devices and networks. These systems help to prevent access to inappropriate content and alert staff to potential safeguarding concerns, enabling us to respond quickly and effectively where needed.
We encourage parents and carers to take an active interest in their child's online activity, including the apps, games, websites, and social media platforms they use. By working together, we can help children enjoy the benefits of technology while staying safe online.
If you have any concerns about your child's online safety or would like advice and guidance, please contact our Safeguarding Team or Online Safety Champion.
Useful resources:
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CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) Keeping children safe online is an important part of safeguarding at our school. Technology plays a significant role in children's lives and can provide many positive opportunities for learning, communication, and entertainment. We are committed to helping pupils develop the knowledge and skills they need to use technology safely, responsibly, and respectfully.
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Online safety is taught throughout our curriculum, with age-appropriate lessons that help children understand how to stay safe online, protect their personal information, recognise risks, and know how to seek help if they encounter something that worries them.
-
To help keep children safe whilst using technology in school, we have appropriate filtering and monitoring systems in place on all school devices and networks. These systems help to prevent access to inappropriate content and alert staff to potential safeguarding concerns, enabling us to respond quickly and effectively where needed.
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We encourage parents and carers to take an active interest in their child's online activity, including the apps, games, websites, and social media platforms they use. By working together, we can help children enjoy the benefits of technology while staying safe online.
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If you have any concerns about your child's online safety or would like advice and guidance, please contact our Safeguarding Team or Online Safety Champion.
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Useful resources:
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CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) CEOP Safety Centre
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NSPCC Online Safety Keeping Children Safe Online | NSPCC
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Internet Matters Keep Children Safe Online: Information, advice, support - Internet Matters
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UK Safer Internet Centre Homepage - UK Safer Internet Centre
