Safeguarding

Keeping Children Safe

The welfare of the child is paramount. At Fern Hill, keeping children safe and ensuring that every child reaches their potential underpins everything we do.  We take our responsibility for the children in our care very seriously, and we are here to help, support and guide as best we can.  Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available to read and download from the school policy page of this website. 

Anyone can tell us about a child, young person or parent or carer that needs support in some way by contacting one of our safeguarding officers above via the school office. There may be a concern about a child's developmental needs, issues that a parent or carer is experiencing, or that a child is being neglected or subjected to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

Our duty is outlined in detail within the document Working Together to Safeguard Children last updated in February 2024 by the Government. In essence, we have a duty to record and report concerns and work alongside local agencies to ensure children are adequately safeguarded against harm.

All details are treated confidentially and will only be shared if there are concerns that a child is at risk.  It is always our aim to share our concerns transparently with the child’s parent or guardian before making a referral.  However, we reserve our right to refer without consent if we are sufficiently concerned about a child’s safety, or we are unable to contact the parent or guardian after reasonable attempts have been made.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Ms Samantha Stephenson (Deputy Headteacher)

Ms Samantha Stephenson

Deputy Designated Officer for Child Protection and Safeguarding

Ms Andrea Stewart (Welfare & Deputy Safeguarding Lead)

Ms Andrea Stewart

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Mr Adam Scott (Headteacher)

Mr Adam Scott

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Ms Rachael Crook (Deputy Headteacher)

Ms Rachael Crook

Single Point of Access (SPA)

You can also tell Kingston and Richmond’s Children’s Services about a child, young person or parent/carer that needs support in some way by contacting their Single Point of Access team (SPA).

You can contact the SPA team from 8.00 am to 5.15 pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.00 am to 5.00 pm on Friday by calling 020 8547 5008. The telephone number for out of hours contact is 020 8770 5000.

In an emergency or if you think a child is in immediate danger, you should call 999.

Visitors to School

We want Fern Hill to be open and welcoming to all who would like to support our children. Please refer to our Visitors Leaflet for information on a visitors safety in school and their responsibility to keep others safe whilst in school.