HCAT Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2026
To ensure that children in HCAT schools are safeguarded effectively from harm and that their safety, welfare and wellbeing are central to all aspects of our work. We aim to maintain a culture where children, staff, parents, governors and trustees feel confident to raise concerns, knowing that they will be taken seriously and acted upon appropriately.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, volunteers, governors and trustees have a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action to protect children. Our approach is child-centred and focused on the best interests of the child at all times.
No single professional can have a complete picture of a child’s needs and circumstances. Effective safeguarding relies on timely identification of concerns, appropriate information sharing and collaborative working to ensure children receive the right help at the right time.
For Parents and Carers:
We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of students. We will endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued.
We will be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and will follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.
The information on this page will summarise how we meet our safeguarding and child-protection responsibilities, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2026).
If you have any questions about this information, you can contact any of the above staff on 01226 369640.
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OR WELFARE OF YOUR CHILD, OR A CHILD YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD ACT WITHOUT DELAY.
What we will do if we have a concern about your child:
If we are concerned that your child may be at risk of abuse or neglect, we must follow the agreed safeguarding procedures. The procedures have been written to protect all pupils. They comply with our statutory responsibilities and are designed to support pupils, families and staff. The procedures are based on the principle that the welfare of the child is the most important consideration.
In almost all circumstances, we will talk to you about our concerns and we will also tell you if we feel we must refer our concerns to Children’s Social Care. If we think that talking to you first might in some way increase the risk to your child, we will report our concerns to Children’s Social Care and take advice from them.
All child-protection records are kept separate from your child’s general school file. The only members of staff who have access to the records are those who need to know about the concerns in order to protect and support your child.
Child protection is a very sensitive issue and it raises many questions and a range of strong emotions. We will do everything we can do to support our students and you can be assured that any action we take will be in the best interests of your child.