Keeping children safe 

Children at Hatton School are all equally valued, respected and nurtured. 

We ensure that all children have the right to protection from all types of harm and abuse.

Hatton Special School places the highest priority on keeping children safe. All visitors are expected to comply with our policy and procedures for safeguarding. This includes measures to prevent violent extremism and radicalisation and radicalisation, concerns about which are dealt with through the same procedures as other safeguarding concerns.

Named personnel with designated responsibility for Safeguarding:

As many of the pupils here at Hatton have speech, language and communication difficulties it is important that staff, visitors and volunteers remain vigilant to observing any sudden changes in a pupil’s behaviour or presentation. If a member of staff, visitor or volunteer has a concern this should be raised with the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately and a written record of concerns should be made.

If a child discloses that he or she has been abused in some way, the member of staff, visitor or volunteer should:

• Listen to what is being said without displaying shock or disbelief
• Accept what is being said
• Allow the child to talk freely – do not put words in the child’s mouth
• Only ask questions when necessary to clarify
• Reassure the child, but not make promises which it might not be possible to keep.
• Not promise confidentiality – it may be necessary to refer to children’s social care
• Emphasise that it was the right thing to tell
• Reassure him/her that what has happened is not her/his fault
• Do not criticise the alleged perpetrator
• Explain what has to be done next and who has to be told
• Make a written record
• Pass information to the designated safeguarding lead without delay
• Consider seeking support for yourself and discuss this with the designated safeguarding lead – dealing with a disclosure can be distressing.

It is important to communicate with our pupils in a way that is appropriate to their age, understanding and preferred method of communication.

Safeguarding against Extremism and Radicalisation

In accordance with the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, we ensure that all our safeguarding procedures prevent any risk of exposure to extremist views and forms of radicalisation. Please be aware of the following considerations when using computers or other digital devices:

Teachers will assess the suitability and effectiveness of resources to ensure that:

• Any messages communicated to pupils are consistent with the ethos of the school and do not marginalise any communities, groups or individuals.
• Any messages (video, pictures and/or text) do not seek to glorify criminal activity or violent extremism or seek to radicalise pupils through extreme or narrow views of faith, religion, culture or their ideologies.

If you have any queries or concerns around these areas please contact Beverley or Manuela.

If you have a concern about the welfare or safety of a child outside of school hours you should contact the Redbridge Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub on:

Emergency Duty Team (EDT) – out of hours service
Tel: 020 8708 5897 (after 5pm and at weekends).

Or write in to the following address:

Redbridge Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
Redbridge Children and Families
Lynton House
255-259 High Road
Ilford
IG1 1NY 

The NSPCC also have a helpline for child protection, telephone number 0808 800 5000