Linden Bridge Safeguarding Statement:

Linden Bridge School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, volunteers and members of our community to share this commitment. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support and protection. We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism, and promote British values and children’s rights.

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare. 

See our Policies Page for the policies relating to Safeguarding. 

Equality Statement:

Linden Bridge is committed to the fair treatment of all regardless of age, colour, disability, ethnicity, gender, nationality, race, religious or spiritual beliefs, and responsibility for dependents, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.

Operation Encompass:

Linden Bridge are part of Operation Encompass, a joint scheme between Surrey Police and Surrey County Council.  The project aims to safeguard and support children and young people who are affected by domestic abuse or who are reported missing.  

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is: 

Emma Spillane (Assistant Head)

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

Rachel Watt (Headteacher), Marie O'Rourke (Deputy Head), Caroline Towersey (Residential Manager) and Gareth Phillips (Behaviour for Learning Lead)

Statement of Procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against staff.

The following procedure should be used in all cases in which it is alleged a member of staff or volunteer at Linden Bridge School, or another adult who works with children has:

• behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child; 
• possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; or 
• behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she would pose a risk of harm to children 

In dealing with allegations or concerns against an adult, staff must: 

• Report any concerns about the conduct of any member of staff or volunteer to the Headteacher immediately.  
• If an allegation is made against the Headteacher, the concerns need to be raised with the Chair of Governor as soon as possible. If the Chair of Governors is not available, then the LADO should be contacted directly. 
• There may be situations when the Headteacher or Chair of Governors will want to involve the police immediately if the person is deemed to be an immediate risk to children or there is evidence of a possible criminal offence. 
• Once an allegation has been received by the Headteacher or Chair of Governors they will contact the LADO on 0300123 1650 option 3 LADO

All Staff undertake regular compulsory safeguarding training, including:

• Child Protection Refresher - annually
• Child Sexual Exploitation
• The Prevent Duty
• Child Neglect
• Female Genital Mutilation Awareness
• Online Safety
• Health and Safety in Education Staff Awareness 
• Fire Safety in Education
• Positive Touch

Key Staff also undertake training in:

• Safer Recruitment
• Paediatric first aid
• Administration of medication
• Managing specific medical needs
• Poolside Helper - emergency response
• Food Hygiene
• Positive Options - MAPPA
• DSL updates 
• Education visits coordination