Safeguarding

The Chiltern School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for pupils and staff. In line with Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023  we aim to ensure that

• A safe adult will be there to offer help as soon as it is needed
•  We will help families access support when needed
• Pupils are supported to be safe at school, at home and online
• Pupils grow up safe, happy, well cared for and are supported to reach their full potential
• We work together with families and services to make sure that children can grow up with their families and people who know them best, as long as this is safe.

We recognise that sometimes it can feel scary or uncomfortable to ask for help, but please be assured that there are many services available to support children and families when needed. You can find some of these services listed below and you can read more about how people who help, support and protect children work together and what you can expect when you need help in this child and family friendly guide to Working Together .

If you have concerns about a pupil / family or if you feel you need support please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead,  Jemma Kirby (Director of Safeguarding and Mental Health) or Deputy DSL  Maria Gibbons (Family Support Worker). Please call the school reception who will put you through.

You can find our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy here.

If you are worried about someone who does not attend our school, or to explore what support may be available to you, you can contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) / Integrated Front Door  for the appropriate local authority.

Central Bedfordshire Integrated Front Door: 0300 300 300 8585 (out of hours 0300 300 8123)

Bedford Borough Integrated Front Door:  01234 718700 (out of hours 0300 300 8123)

Luton County Council MASH: 01582 547653  (out of hours 0300 300 8123)

Operation Encompass

The Chiltern School is part of a project that runs jointly between schools, Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire Police.

Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced or been exposed to any domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass will ensure that a member of the school staff, known as a Key Adult, is trained to allow them to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, while ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been experienced a domestic abuse incident.

We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved. For further information about Operation Encompass please follow this link.