Safeguarding Statement

The GFC School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We strive to ensure that consistent and effective safeguarding policies and procedures are in place to support families, students and staff at school.

Staffing

To promote a safe environment for students, we employ a strict selection and recruitment process which includes all statutory checks on staff and regular volunteers including Enhanced DBS (disclosure and barring service) checks.

All staff are trained to a level appropriate to their safeguarding responsibilities ranging from basic training for all to Designated Safeguarding Lead for key staff. The training is monitored and comprehensive records are kept.

Staff are required to report all concerns via CPOMS to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Referrals are logged and monitored to make sure that they are followed up appropriately.

Attendance

Student attendance is monitored closely and concerns shared as appropriate with parents/carers, Medway Council’s Attendance Advisory Service, Social Care and the Designated Safeguarding Lead. We work effectively with other agencies and parents/carers when necessary to safeguard young people.

If you have any serious concerns about your child, another student, or a member of staff at The GFC School, please do not hesitate to contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead who will be able to provide you with the best advice and help using the appropriate degree of confidentiality.

Medway's First Response service

Members of the public and professionals can report any safeguarding concerns about a child or young person. Once the form has been submitted, it will be reviewed and assessed and action will be taken. Contact details below:

Telephone: 01634 334466

24 hour emergency number: 03000 419 191

To report a child safeguarding concern on line please follow this link.

To report an adult safeguarding concern please follow this link.

Alternative telephone numbers where you have concerns about a child.

• NSPCC 0808 800 5000
• Child Line 0800 1111
• Medway Police 01622 690 690

Useful contact details

• Non emergency number 101
• Emergency number 999
• LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer)

For all Safeguarding questions or concerns, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Lisa Darran, at ldarran@thegfcschool.co.uk or 01634 623 420