Designated Safeguarding Lead: Claire Fyfe
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Karen Buttery
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Michelle Whittaker
Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Pauline Brett
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a key priority at Mill House School. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people by providing a safe, supportive and nurturing environment in which pupils can learn, develop and thrive.
We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and that effective safeguarding requires a child-centred approach, where the needs, wishes and best interests of the child are at the heart of decision-making.
Mill House School maintains comprehensive child protection and safeguarding policies, procedures and training arrangements that reflect current statutory guidance and legal requirements, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (2026), Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026), the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, and the Independent School Standards.
All staff receive safeguarding training as part of their induction and participate in regular safeguarding updates and continuing professional development. Particular attention is given to understanding and responding to safeguarding risks including:
- Bullying and prejudice-based bullying
- Child-on-child abuse
- Sexual harassment and sexual violence
- Online safety, social media and digital technologies
- Child sexual exploitation (CSE)
- Child criminal exploitation (CCE)
- County lines
- Extremism and radicalisation
- Female genital mutilation (FGM)
- Honour-based abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Missing education
- Contextual safeguarding risks
- Gang affiliation and serious violence
- Promoting British Values
All staff are expected to read and understand Mill House School’s safeguarding policies, including but not limited to, the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, E Safety Policy, Acceptable Use of IT Policy, Staff Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing Policy. All staff also read the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (part one,2026) guidance. Parents, carers, social workers, partner schools and placing authorities may request copies of the school’s safeguarding policies.
The school delivers a comprehensive safeguarding training programme. All staff receive safeguarding training on induction, annual safeguarding training and regular updates throughout the year to ensure that safeguarding knowledge remains current and effective.
Mill House School’s policies set out clear expectations, responsibilities and procedures for all adults working with children. Staff understand their responsibilities to identify concerns, respond appropriately, record concerns promptly and report concerns without delay.
Keeping Children and Young People Safe
We promote the safety and wellbeing of our pupils through:
- Robust safer recruitment procedures in accordance with statutory safeguarding requirements
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and other pre-employment safeguards
- Appropriately trained Designated Safeguarding Leads and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads who receive specialist safeguarding training and regular updates
- Annual safeguarding training and regular safeguarding updates for all staff
- Strong partnerships with local authorities, social care services, health professionals, the police and other safeguarding agencies
- A comprehensive safeguarding training programme for staff
- Effective filtering and monitoring systems to support online safety
- A curriculum that promotes safeguarding awareness, resilience and personal safety through PSHE, RSE and Life Skills education
- High levels of pastoral support and therapeutic intervention
- Pupil voice and active participation
- Individual risk assessments and bespoke support plans where required
- Regular monitoring, evaluation and review of safeguarding arrangements, policies and procedures
As a specialist setting, we recognise that children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), communication difficulties and mental health needs may face additional barriers to recognising abuse and reporting concerns. We therefore take additional measures to ensure these pupils are listened to, supported and protected.
Reporting Concerns
Concerns relating to safeguarding are always taken seriously.
All staff, volunteers, contractors, visitors and third-party professionals working at Mill House School are expected to report any safeguarding concern immediately in accordance with the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
Concerns about a child’s welfare, safety or wellbeing are acted upon promptly and, where appropriate, referrals are made to Children’s Social Care, the Police or other relevant safeguarding agencies.
The welfare of the child is always our paramount consideration.
Anyone who has concerns about the safety or welfare of a child should contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead without delay.