Safeguarding
Safeguarding is at the core of everything we do and is everyone’s responsibility. All who work, volunteer or supply services to the school have an equal responsibility to understand the school’s safeguarding policies.
Contact us
To contact us regarding Safeguarding, please email us at: safeguarding@thewhitehouseschool.org
Contact us
To contact us regarding safeguarding, please email us at: safeguarding@thewhitehouseschool.org
Policies
and leaflets
This page provides details of our Safeguarding policies and procedures, and how Safeguarding practices are upheld throughout our school.
What safeguarding means
- protecting pupils from abuse and maltreatment
- preventing harm to pupil’s health or development
- ensuring pupils grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
- taking action to enable all pupils to have the best outcomes
- Ensuring our pupils know how to keep themselves safe
Safeguarding at The White House School
The White House School fully recognises and is committed to the highest standards in the safeguarding and wellbeing of all our pupils and staff.
Maintaining the highest standards in safeguarding for pupils with SEN means we…
- Recognise that pupils with SEN may be more vulnerable and adapt our practice to reduce risk.
- Use clear, accessible communication methods (e.g. visuals, signalong, assistive technology) so every pupil can express worries and be heard.
- Build trusting, consistent relationships so pupils feel safe, understood and able to seek help.
- Implement positive behaviour support (PBS) approaches that focus on understanding the function of behaviour, and our behaviour motto: Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Mindful.
- Use proactive strategies (routine, structure, sensory support, clear expectations) to prevent distress and reduce incidents.
- Respond to behaviour with de-escalation, empathy and regulation strategies, always maintaining dignity and respect, using physical intervention only as a last resort in line with Government guidance: Use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance
- Ensure all staff are trained to the highest standards in safeguarding, SEN needs, trauma-informed practice and safe, appropriate behaviour support techniques.
- Record, monitor and analyse behaviour patterns to identify safeguarding concerns or unmet needs.
- Work closely with families, therapists and external agencies to provide consistent, joined-up support.
- Ensure risk assessments and support plans are personalised, regularly reviewed and clearly understood by all staff.
- Promote emotional literacy, self-regulation and independence in ways appropriate to each pupil’s needs.
- Safeguard pupils in all environments, including during transitions, unstructured times and online activity.
- Maintain a calm, inclusive environment that reduces anxiety and promotes a sense of safety and belonging.
- Uphold pupils’ rights, ensuring they are treated with dignity, respect and without discrimination at all times.
Our Safeguarding Team
The White House School fully recognises and is committed to the highest standards in the safeguarding and wellbeing of all our pupils and staff.
All members of the senior leadership team regularly complete Level 3 Safeguarding training.
Pupils who are feeling worried about something or someone can come and talk to members of the safeguarding team in school at any time.
Please do not hesitate to contact one of the team if you have any questions or information.
Marci Osborn
Deputy Headteacher
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Anti-Bullying Lead
Prevent Lead
Designated LAC Teacher
Elle Vinall
Headteacher
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Tracey Lockwood
Assistant Headteacher
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Our Safeguarding Principles?
-
PREVENTION
Positive, supportive, safe culture, curriculum and pastoral opportunities for children, robust safer recruitment procedures -
PROTECTION
Following the agreed procedures, ensuring all staff are trained and supported to recognise and respond appropriately and sensitively to safeguarding concerns -
SUPPORT
For all pupils, parents, carers, guardians and staff, and where appropriate specific interventions are required for those who may be at risk of harm
More Information
Who do we work with?
To ensure timely, appropriate communications and actions are undertaken when safeguarding concerns arise, we work closely with:
- Parents and Carers
- Social Workers
- Police
- Other schools
- Local Authorities
- All other agencies
How do we ensure equality?
EQUALITY STATEMENT
Some children have an increased risk of abuse, both online and offline, and additional barriers can exist for some children with respect to recognising or disclosing it. We are committed to anti-discriminatory practice and recognise children’s diverse circumstances. We ensure that all children have the same protection, regardless of any barriers they may face.
We give special consideration to children who:
- Have special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities or health conditions
- Are young carers
- May experience discrimination due to their race, ethnicity, religion, gender identification or sexuality
- Have English as an additional language
- Are known to be living in difficult situations – for example, temporary accommodation or where there are issues such as substance abuse or domestic violence
- Are at risk of FGM, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, or radicalisation
- Are asylum seekers
- Are at risk due to either their own or a family member’s mental health needs
- Are looked after or previously looked after
- Are missing or absent from education for prolonged periods and/or repeat occasions
- Whose parent/carer/guardian has expressed an intention to remove them from school to be home educated
How can we find out more?
Keeping children safe from harm
- Keeping children safe in education 2025
- Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership – Parents & Carers – Safeguarding Children in Dorset
- NSPCC – Keeping Children Safe Advice & Guidance for Parents
- Enable – Empower Children, Eliminate Bullying
Preventing sexual abuse
Child criminal exploitation / child sexual exploitation
- NSPCC Criminal Exploitation Advice
- PACE – Parents Against Child Exploitation
- Dorset Police Information & Advice – County Lines and Cuckooing
- SPACE – Stop & Prevent Adolescent Criminal Exploitation
PREVENT
Local Support
- Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Partnership
- Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Family Information Directory and SEND Local Offer
- Local Family Hub Support Services
Domestic Abuse
Online Safety
- ProjectEVOLVE
- Department for Education – E-Safety Guidelines
- Vodafone – Digital Parenting
- The South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL)
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Operation Encompass
Our school is part of Operation Encompass, a police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people who experience domestic violence and abuse.
Operation Encompass means that the police share information with our school about police-attended domestic abuse incidents involving our children before the start of the next school day.
View Operation Encompass statementChildren’s First Response Hub
The Children’s First Response Hub provides the public and professionals with advice, information and support for children who are vulnerable and at risk.
- Telephone: 01202 123 334
- Email: childrensfirstresponse@bcp.gov.uk
- Out of hours emergency support: 01202 738 256
Admissions
Contact Us
Ofsted, 2025
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is at the core of everything we do and is everyone’s responsibility. All who work, volunteer or supply services to the school have an equal responsibility to understand the school’s safeguarding policies.
