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Safeguarding

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility.

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. 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.

Definition of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022):

  • Protecting children from maltreatment.
  • Preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development.
  • Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
  • Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Safeguarding at the Latymer School

One of the most important aspects of our work as a school is safeguarding. The Latymer School works closely with children and families, together with statutory agencies, to keep our students as safe as we possibly can. We are committed to providing a secure environment where children can learn, play, develop and achieve. The school has a culture of openness and all students, staff and visitors are encouraged to speak up if they have any concerns regarding safeguarding.

The school ensures that all staff are sensitive to issues of race, culture, gender, disability and diversity. However, we recognise that these issues should never be a barrier to reporting concerns about children. All staff, including teaching and non-teaching staff, temporary and supply staff, clerical and domestic staff, volunteers and staff working on site employed by other services and agencies, and those working with children and families in the community, have a moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Staff must be aware of and fully conversant with our Safeguarding policy. Staff should be alert to the possibility of a safeguarding incident occurring and raise their concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Deputies or the Headteacher.

Our staff code of conduct makes it clear that we expect the highest standards of care and support for all students. We are alert to signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and are aware of the procedures for passing on concerns within the school. The Child Protection Team comprises experienced senior staff, trained to an advanced level in safeguarding. Training provided to staff is updated regularly to keep abreast of any developments in legislation and practice.

Our school works in partnership with the three safeguarding partners:

  • Enfield Council (Tony Theodoulou Executive Director – People)
  • Metropolitan Police Service (Detective Chief Superintendent North Area - Enfield & Haringey - BCU Commander)
  • NHS Enfield Clinical Commissioning Group (John Wardell - Chief Operating Officer; Aimee Fairbairns - Director of Quality and Clinical Services).

The Governing Body and the Senior Leadership team, especially the Designated Safeguarding Lead, are aware of and follow the local arrangements set out by the three safeguarding partners.

If you are worried about the safety or welfare of a student, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger you should call the police on 999.
The core safeguarding team

Mr Pashley - Senior Assistant Headteacher (Care, Guidance and Support) & Designated Safeguard Lead: safeguarding@latymer.co.uk; 0208 807 4037.

In his absence, please contact the School Office (office@latymer.co.uk; 0208 807 4037) to obtain the contact details of the following:

  • Mr Wakefield - Deputy Headteacher (Sixth Form) & Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead
  • Ms Oriana Cornejo Gutierrez – Assistant Headteacher (Behaviour, Attendance and Enrichment) & Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead
  • Mr Bowman - Head of Learning (Sixth Form)
  • Mr Ninkovic - Head of Learning (Sixth Form)
  • Mrs Baker - Head of Learning (Year 11)
  • Miss Letissier - Head of Learning (Year 10)
  • Miss Perrin - Head of Learning (Year 9)
  • Miss Kaymer - Head of Learning (Year 8)
  • Miss Ferracane - Head of Learning (Year 7)
  • Mrs Kalaora - Welfare Officer
  • Mr Papasavva - Designated Child Protection and Safeguarding Governor
Whisper App

All students are encouraged to speak to staff or peers if they have concerns, but in cases where an individual does not feel confident in doing so, the school’s WhisperApp allows them to anonymously report inappropriate behaviour. Using any school computer or laptop, students are able to access the app, submit their concern, and receive advice from a member of staff through the chat function. Since its launch, the WhisperApp has been well received by students and has been successfully used on a few occasions to highlight issues.

reporting a concern outside school hours and during holidays

If you or your child have a concern after school hours, on the weekend or during the holidays, it is extremely important that you seek the appropriate help in an emergency.

Whilst we aim to support our students in dealing with any issues, or concerns, that you may have, please be aware that staff are not required to check their school emails during evenings, weekends, and holidays, and will not be available to provide support during these times.

Trying to contact teachers out of hours and during school holidays will only delay you or others getting the urgent support that is needed. Students are able to contact any of the organisations on the ‘Useful Numbers’ and ‘Information Websites’ page of the planner list for emotional wellbeing and mental health support.

  • If you think that you are in danger and need urgent support, you should phone 999.
  • If you think that a friend is in danger, you should also phone 999.
  • Alternatively, you can inform your parent/carers, or the parents/carers of the friend.
  • Students and/or parent cares can make the contact with the police or the local authority in which you live (MASH - Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub).
Local Authority Telephone number (9am to 5pm weekdays) Telephone number (after 5pm weekdays and weekends) Websites
Enfield 020 8379 5555 020 8379 1000 https://cp.childrensportal.enfield.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/home
Barnet 020 8359 4066 020 8359 2000 https://www.barnet.gov.uk/directories/directme/multi-agency-safeguarding-hub-mash-team-childrens
Hackney 020 8356 5500 0208 356 2710 https://hackney.gov.uk/child-protection
Haringey 020 8489 4470 020 8489 0000 https://www.haringey.gov.uk/children-and-families/childrens-social-care/child-protection
Islington 020 7527 7400 020 7527 7400 https://www.islington.gov.uk/children-and-families/contact-us
Waltham Forest 020 8496 2310 020 8496 3000 https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/families-young-people-and-children/child-protection/multi-agency-safeguarding-hub-mash
Safeguarding within enfield

CHiPS is a community help point scheme run within the Borough of Enfield. It is a network of 'safe havens', where young and vulnerable people who are lost, at risk or feeling vulnerable can go in and ask for help and assistance from the community. There are around 200 CHiPS points in the borough, including the Latymer School. 

Useful websites

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Support

Please check this document for a useful list of various websites available to support emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Online safety - Advice

Online safety - Remote education, virtual lessons and live streaming

Online safety - Support for children

Online safety - Parental support

  • Childnet offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, and to find out where to get more help and support.
  • Commonsensemedia provide independent reviews, age ratings, & other information about all types of media for children and their parents.
  • Government advice about protecting children from specific online harms such as child sexual abuse, sexting, and cyberbullying.
  • Internet Matters provide age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls, and practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world.
  • How can I help my child? Marie Collins Foundation – Sexual Abuse Online.
  • Let’s Talk About It provides advice for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation.
  • London Grid for Learning provides support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online, including tips to keep primary aged children safe online.
  • Stopitnow resource from The Lucy Faithfull Foundation can be used by parents and carers who are concerned about someone’s behaviour, including children who may be displaying concerning sexual behaviour (not just about online).
  • National Crime Agency/CEOP Thinkuknow provides support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online.
  • Net-aware provides support for parents and carers from the NSPCC and O2, including a guide to social networks, apps and games.
  • Parentzone provides help for parents and carers on how to keep their children safe online.
  • Talking to your child about online sexual harassment: A guide for parents: Children’s Commissioner’s parent guide on talking to your children about online sexual harassment.
  • #Ask the awkward: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre guidance to parents to talk to their children about online relationships.