Alsager Highfields Safeguarding
Our Safeguarding Vision
At Alsager Highfields Primary School, safeguarding is a responsibility shared by every member of our school community.
We are committed to providing a safe, caring and inclusive environment where children are listened to, feel confident speaking to trusted adults, and receive the right support at the right time.
Our safeguarding practice is always child‑centred. When a concern is raised, the welfare and best interests of the child remain central to every decision we make.
We recognise that safeguarding concerns can arise in any situation and maintain a professional attitude that “it could happen here.” Staff are expected to notice concerns, remain professionally curious, share information appropriately and act promptly.
Our safeguarding arrangements follow Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, and the procedures of the Cheshire East Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (CESCP). Governors, staff, parents and visitors are expected to work together to uphold our commitment to keeping every child safe.
If you would like any more information regarding Cheshire East's Safeguarding Children's Partnership then please follow the link which will take you to their home page. Cheshire East Safeguarding Children’s Partnership
How We Keep Children Safe
At Alsager Highfields, keeping children safe is part of everyday school life. All staff play a role in noticing concerns, listening to children and acting quickly when support is needed.
We make sure:
staff are trained to recognise and respond to concerns; they listen to and reflect on the voice of the child
we have a clear Designated Safeguarding Lead and deputy team to whom concerns can be reported
safeguarding records are stored securely through CPOMS
all adults working with children are safely recruited and appropriately checked, including undergoing an enhanced DBS check
concerns or allegations about adults are managed through whistle blowing procedures and the staff behaviour/code of conduct policy
staff receive regular safeguarding updates / training at least annually to support them in recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse
we work closely with parents and other professionals when extra help is needed
attendance is monitored carefully so we can support children who may be struggling
we understand the additional barriers some children, including those with SEND, may face
children learn how to stay safe through PSHE/RSE, computing, assemblies and the wider curriculum
pupils know who a trusted adult is for them and feel confident speaking to them
that we follow our due regard to Prevent and assess the risk of children and young people being radicalised drawn into extremism
that we adhere to the mandatory reporting to the police in all cases where it is discovered that an act of FGM appears to have been carried out.
staff understand through online safety training the additional risks for pupils online and continue to promote the School’s Online Safety Policy in the protection of all pupils.
that staff remain vigilant whilst visitors are on site and continue to promote the school’s commitment to keeping children safe through reminding visitors and parents of the school’s appropriate use of personal mobile phones/devices whilst they are on school premises. This includes staff understanding and adhering to the Staff Behaviour Policy inclusive of use of mobile phones and electronic devices.
Children’s voices are central to our safeguarding work. They have regular opportunities to talk about feeling safe and are always reminded that they can speak to any trusted adult if something is worrying them.
The four main elements to Alsager Highfields Primary School's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy are;
1 Prevention – a positive school atmosphere, careful and vigilant teaching and pastoral care.
2 Protection – all staff respond appropriately and sensitively to child protection concerns.
3 Reconsideration – following and challenging the progress of new referrals and existing cases to ensure that individual cases are reconsidered if there remains no improvement to a child’s circumstances.
4 Support – to pupils and school staff and to children who may be vulnerable due to their individual circumstances.
Our Designated safeguarding Team includes:
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Dyde Assistant Headteacher
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Mrs Woollam (Headteacher), Mrs Harrison (Y6 teacher), Mrs Riley (School Business Manager) and Mrs S Ward (HLTA).
Family Liaison Officer: Mrs Helen Potts
Safeguarding Governor: Mrs Vanessa Howard
If you have a concern about a child who you think is in imminent danger call 999 and ask for the police.
Who to talk to within school:
If you have any concerns about a child’s safety, please contact us on 01270 882472 and ask to speak with either the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Dyde, or one of our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads Mrs Woollam, Mrs Harrison, Mrs Riley or Mrs Ward.
admin@alsagerhighfields.cheshire.sch.uk
Please find below a number of contact numbers, should you require any support or help during times when school is closed;
Cheshire East Children’s Consultation Service (CHECS – Social Care) or now known as the Integrated Front Door
0300 123 5012 (option 3)
Cheshire East Children’s Consultation Service out of hours emergency number (CHECS – Social Care)
0300 123 5022
ChECS is Cheshire East’s main point of contact for anyone who has a concern about a child’s safety, wellbeing, care, neglect or possible exploitation. A qualified social worker will listen to your concern, talk it through with you and advise on the most appropriate next steps.
Cheshire East encourages people to contact ChECS even if they are unsure whether a concern meets a safeguarding threshold. If you are worried about a child, it is always better to seek advice. ChECS will help you decide what should happen next.
You can also follow the link below for Cheshire East’s Safeguarding Team:
Childline 0800 1111
NHS 111
Non- emergency police contact 101
The emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance) 999
Alsager Foodbank 07743659906
The Cedars Medical Centre 01270 275606
Merepark Medical Centre 01270 275600
Our Approach to Supporting Children and Families
At Alsager Highfields, we work closely with Cheshire East to make sure children and families get the right help at the right time. Most families are supported well through everyday services such as school, health and early years settings. Sometimes, children may need a little extra support, and we work together with families and professionals to provide this as early as possible.
Clear guidance helps everyone understand when extra help may be needed, but it never replaces professional judgement or listening to the child. Staff use their training, knowledge of the family and advice from our Designated Safeguarding Lead to make sure decisions are always in the best interests of the child.
Our aim is simple: to notice concerns early, respond appropriately and work in partnership with families so every child feels safe, supported and heard.
The Cheshire East integrated Front Door can be contacted on 0300 123 5012 - option 3, then option 1
Our own safeguarding procedures use Cheshire East's Family Help Continuum of Need, providing families with the right help at the right time, delivered by the right people.
Operation Encompass
Alsager Highfields Primary School is an Operation Encompass school.
Operation Encompass allows the police to share information with a child’s school when they have attended a domestic abuse incident connected to the child’s home. This ensures that staff are aware of what a child may have seen, heard or experienced, enabling us to offer sensitive and timely support.
Since 2025, Operation Encompass has been placed on a statutory footing, requiring police forces to notify educational settings following relevant domestic abuse incidents. Children are recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right when they witness, hear or are affected by its impact.
Any information shared with us through Operation Encompass is handled carefully, treated confidentially and used only to support the child’s safety and wellbeing.
Domestic abuse support
The Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub provides advice and support for individuals and families affected by domestic abuse.
0300 123 5101
Alternatively please follow the below link for Domestic Abuse Guidance from Cheshire East:
Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Help
Online Safety
At Alsager Highfields, keeping children safe online is an important part of our safeguarding work. Children learn how to stay safe through computing, PSHE/RSE, assemblies and wider discussions across the curriculum. We help them understand:
the types of content they may come across
how to manage contact with others online
how their own behaviour and choices can keep them safe
commercial risks, such as in‑app purchases
social media, messaging and gaming
online bullying and exploitation
sharing images safely
new and emerging risks, including artificial intelligence
To help keep children safe on school systems, we use Securus to filter and monitor online activity. This helps us identify and respond to anything inappropriate or potentially harmful.
Our filtering and monitoring arrangements are reviewed regularly as part of our safeguarding practice. Current Department for Education guidance recommends that schools review this provision at least annually and consider new risks, including AI‑generated content.
Alsager Highfields is also a mobile‑phone‑free school for pupils during the school day, helping us maintain a safe and focused learning environment.
The NSPCC has updated its online safety content for parents and carers on its website and this also now includes new advice on talking to children about upsetting coronavirus content which they may have viewed online.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/inappropriate-explicit-content
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/talking-child-online-safety
The Safer Schools Home Learning Hub is a free library of resources to support parents and carers who are taking the time to help their children be safer online. The resources have been adapted to make them easily accessible for everyone.
Children with SEND and Other Vulnerabilities
At Alsager Highfields, we recognise that some children may face additional barriers when it comes to recognising, communicating or reporting worries. This can be especially true for children with SEND, communication needs or certain health conditions. Staff are encouraged to remain professionally curious and never assume that changes in a child’s behaviour, mood or presentation are solely linked to their SEND.
Our safeguarding, SEND and staff team work closely together so that every child is understood as an individual and important information is shared appropriately.
We also pay particular attention to children who may be more vulnerable because of their family circumstances, involvement with social care, caring responsibilities, mental‑health needs, persistent absence, exploitation risks or other challenges.
Mental Health and Safeguarding
Mental‑health difficulties are not automatically safeguarding concerns, but they can sometimes indicate that a child is experiencing, or may be at risk of, harm. Staff are expected to recognise this link and to seek safeguarding advice when needed.
Our Mental Health Lead is Mrs Woollam. Our whole‑school approach includes universal wellbeing support, pastoral and ELSA provision, and access to external services where appropriate.
Further information and sources of support can be found on our Wellbeing and Mental Health page.
There are many websites and organisations that can offer a wealth of safeguarding and e-safety advice much of which is updated regularly. On this page, you will find links to a selection of recommended resources.
If your child has a mobile device, then please monitor it closely and seek help where required. For more information see our 'Keeping children safe online' page.
CAMHS - Below you will find a poster from CAMHS, which provides links to further support from many agencies. The QR codes are available next to each organisation for you to scan.
Working Together to Safeguard Children - Below you will also find a child-friendly version of Working Together to Safeguard Children.