Millfield First & Nursery School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be viewed in the Policies section of our website (see link below).

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our children are discussed with their parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.

We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Mrs Laura Kennedy-Weeks; Mrs Sarah Brown and Mrs Beth Taylor are both Deputy DSLs (DDSL) at Millfield; Miss Lucy Ridge is The Cabin (WAC provision) DDSL.

Click on the link below to read our Child Protection Policy and the DfE document Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Online Safety at Millfield

Technology is changing all the time and young people are no longer passive recipients of online information, but are increasingly interacting directly within a digital landscape in a variety of ways. 

Children are increasingly referred to as ‘digital natives’: citizens born into a digital world, who grow up surrounded by and emerged in the technology and tools of the digital age. Their confidence and skills in using this technology is typically high, but their knowledge and awareness of the inherent issues, risks and dangers is usually very low.

Children and young people need to be empowered to keep themselves safe – this isn’t just a top down approach. Children will be children – pushing boundaries and taking risks. Teaching your child about technology should be seen as another part of keeping them safe, just like crossing the road or learning to swim.

Do you know how to keep your children safe? Do your children know how to keep safe? At Millfield, we are committed to discussing these serious issues as part of our online safety curriculum, but we can only be successful if we all work together: pupils, parents and teachers.

Follow the links below to visit some websites with parent advice about online safety. Here you will find up to date information on all elements of online safety including gaming, social media and online identities.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/  

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/ 

We expect all children at Millfield to follow our acceptable use policy when using technology at school. 

Click on the links below to read our Acceptable Use Policy and relevant information for children.

Sexual harassment, abuse and assault

The Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership have prepared the following statement for your information:

“We welcome the ‘Everyone’s Invited’ website (www.everyonesinvited.uk) for providing a platform where anyone can anonymously share their experiences of sexual harassment, abuse and assault. It’s important that victims and survivors feel empowered to tell their story, we want to emphasise, not only to young people but to all residents, that there is confidential help and support available to anyone affected in Hertfordshire. Schools, colleges and universities can offer support and advice directly and importantly, if a crime has been committed, they can work with those affected and the Police to investigate and ensure that abuse is dealt with effectively. The Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) work closely with schools and partners across the county, including Hertfordshire County Council, the Police and the NHS, to help safeguard and protect children and to raise awareness around risk factors, support and how to report concerns. Both children and adults who are victims of sexual abuse in schools can get support and advice from the dedicated NSPCC helpline on 0800 136 663. This will include advice on how to contact the police and report crimes if they wish.”

Bill Jephson, Assistant Chief Constable at Hertfordshire Constabulary and Chair of the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership

Other useful contacts for reporting or seeking support:

Anyone with concerns can contact the following agencies.

Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency

Children’s Services 0300 123 4043

SARC – Sexual Assault Referral Centre: 0808 178 4448  herts.sarc@nhs.net

NSPCC resources: www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/

NSPCC whistle blowing advice line: 0808 800 5000 help@nspcc.org.uk

Child exploitation and online protection (CEOP) resources: www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

At Millfield:

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Laura Kennedy-Weeks

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Sarah Brown

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Beth Taylor

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for The Cabin (WAC provision): Lucy Ridge

Designated Governor for Safeguarding: Alex Tomkins

Please see Child Protection Policy on school website: Statutory information – School policies – Child Protection policy (https://www.millfield.herts.sch.uk/policies/). This will give details of the school’s reporting mechanisms.

Please also see the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) & Citizenship including Sex & Relationships Education (SRE) policy for information on how we teach safety and information about our relationships education.