Child Protection

Child Protection & Safeguarding

The Westwood Academy recognises the responsibility it has under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 to have arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Through our day-to-day contact with pupils and direct work with families, staff at the school have a crucial role to play in noticing indicators of possible abuse or neglect and referring them to the appropriate agency.

The Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy sets out how the school’s Interim Advisory Board discharges its statutory responsibilities relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are pupils at the school. The Policy applies to all staff and volunteers working in the school.

"Under the Education Act 2002 (Section 175), schools must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children". Parents and carers should know that the law (Children Act 1989) requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. The staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with the parent or carer and, where possible, seek their consent to a referral to Coventry’s Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm. Schools will seek advice from MASH when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. 

Occasionally concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded. Parents and carers will appreciate that the designated person for child protection was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children.