Safeguarding at Highfield

At Highfield, we are committed to ensuring every child feels safe, supported and able to thrive. We follow national safeguarding legislation as well as local guidance from the Bolton Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP).
Relevant documentation for this section:
[Safeguarding]
[Safeguarding Information]

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility — staff, parents, carers and the wider community all play a part in keeping children safe.

Our Commitment

Highfield strives to ensure that all pupils remain safe from harm and that concerns are acted on quickly and appropriately.

We:

• Follow school, local authority and government safeguarding policies
• Work closely with multi‑agency partners
• Respond to concerns using Bolton’s Framework for Action
• Ensure all staff know their safeguarding duties

When concerns arise, Highfield uses the local model to understand the level of need and decide what support or agency involvement may be required.

Reporting Concerns

If a child shares a concern or if a member of staff becomes worried, the school follows the appropriate procedures.

This includes:

• Listening to the child
• Reporting immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Working with external agencies if required
• Taking action in line with the Framework for Action

If necessary, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) process is followed for concerns involving adults working with children.

Key Safeguarding Areas We Address

Highfield recognises several areas where children may be at risk and ensures staff are trained to understand and respond to them. These areas were previously listed across multiple pages, but are now combined here:

• Child Exploitation
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
• Forced Marriage
• Prevent Duty (extremism and radicalisation)

These topics are addressed through training, awareness‑raising and working closely with parents, carers and relevant authorities.

(These now link to your new “Specific Risks” consolidated page.)

Online Safety

We help children understand how to stay safe when using the internet, digital devices and social platforms, in line with national and local guidance.

Resources include:

• Online Safety in School
• Online Safety at Home
• Thinkuknow (CEOP Education)
• NSPCC Online Safety Guidance

Operation Encompass

Highfield takes part in Operation Encompass, an initiative where the police inform the school’s DSL before the next school day if a child has been present at an incident at home.

This enables the school to provide timely and appropriate support.

Government and Local Policies We Follow

Highfield ensures staff follow:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (statutory national guidance)
  [Bolton Safeguarding Children]
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
  [Safeguarding]
• Bolton Framework for Action (local thresholds guidance)
  [Safeguarding Overview 2]
• Information Sharing Guidance
  [Safeguarding]

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Our full policy is available on the website and is reviewed annually in line with national and local updates.

How to Get Help or Advice

If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child at Highfield, please contact one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs).

School Telephone : 01204 571749
Email : office@highfield.bolton.sch.uk

Highfield will always:

• Listen
• Act appropriately
• Follow safeguarding procedures
• Work with families where appropriate

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.