Safeguarding at Westville House School

Safeguarding Statement

Westville House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its pupils. Each pupil’s welfare is of paramount importance. All pupils have the right to be safeguarded from harm or exploitation whatever their race, religion, first language, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, disability or political or immigration status. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support all of our pupils. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. All staff members receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training which is regularly updated. In addition, all staff members receive safeguarding and child protection updates as required, but at least annually, to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively.

Above all else, safeguarding is a part of the culture of our school and as such is subject to ongoing discussion and review.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Operation Encompass

Westville House School is part of Operation Encompass, a police and education information sharing partnership that helps schools offer timely support to children who have experienced domestic abuse.

If police attend a domestic abuse incident involving a child connected to Westville, a confidential notification may be shared with the school before the start of the next school day.  This allows us to respond sensitively and put the necessary support in place without expecting a child to explain or revisit what has happened in order to recieve the help they need.  Information is shared only with staff who need it to safeguard and support the child within school.

Mrs Colman and Miss Mountain are Westville's trained Operation Encompass Key Adults.

Please see a link to Operation Encompass here.

Safeguarding Team