Safeguarding & Welfare
Under the Education Act 2002 Section 175, all schools must make arrangements to safeguard and positively promote the welfare of their children. Parents/carers should know that the law (Children Act 1989) requires all school staff to pass on any information which may give rise to a concern or worry about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Staff at Brookhurst will seek, where possible, to discuss any concerns with the parent/carer first and, seek their consent to make a referral to Children’s Social Care if that is considered necessary. This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm. The school will ask advice from Children’s Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later found to be unfounded but we hope that parents/carers will appreciate that the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and we always act in the best interests of all children.