Safeguarding

Please click here to visit our safeguarding page for children.

 

Meet the Safeguarding Team

Mr Phil Horne (Headteacher)

Mrs Lorna Dickson (Deputy Head)

Mrs Katie Ridley (Assistant Head Teacher)

Mrs Louise Worthington (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

Mrs Samantha Dunning (SENDCO)

Mrs Jan Ireland (Family Mentor)

Ms. Jane MacMillan (Safeguarding Governor)

Safeguarding and Child Protection at Smithdown Primary School

At Smithdown Primary School, together we grow in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where every child is valued, respected and protected.

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors are expected to share this commitment. We maintain a culture of vigilance, where the welfare and safety of children come first at all times.

Everyone who comes into contact with children, their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding. We believe that a child-centred approach—where decisions and actions are always taken in the best interests of the child—is fundamental to everything we do.

Our safeguarding practice is guided by the principles outlined in the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE, 2025) and the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance. We ensure that:

  • All staff receive regular safeguarding and child protection training.

  • Concerns are reported promptly and acted upon without delay.

  • We work in partnership with families, external agencies and professionals to support children who may be vulnerable or at risk.

  • We challenge inappropriate behaviours and attitudes that do not uphold our safeguarding values.

  • Our safeguarding curriculum helps children learn how to keep themselves and others safe, both in school and beyond.

At Smithdown, we recognise that safeguarding is more than compliance—it is a culture of care, respect and responsibility. Every adult in our school community plays a part in keeping children safe so that they can thrive, achieve and grow.

“Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.”
— Department for Education, Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025)

Click here to view our Safeguarding Pledge

For further information see our Policies below.

Child Protection Policy

Online Safety Policy

Operation Encompass

If a child has been involved in, heard or witnessed a domestic incident, Smithdown Primary’s Key Adult will be informed through Operation Encompass to allow immediate early intervention. Smithdown primary School Key Adult is Mrs Louise Worthington.

Click here for more information about Operation Encompass

Further Information

 

Please click the image above to visit the Safeguarding Hub Resource Page which is a free hub of national safeguarding resources to empower children, young people and all adults supporting them.