At the Federation of Yoredale Schools, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a culture where every child feels safe, valued, respected, and able to thrive. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we promote an open, vigilant, and positive safeguarding culture across all of our schools, ensuring that the welfare and best interests of every pupil remain our highest priority.
Our federation-wide approach ensures that all staff receive regular safeguarding training and understand their responsibility to identify, respond to, and report any concerns about a child’s wellbeing. We maintain a culture of professional curiosity and a mindset of ‘it could happen here’, enabling us to respond swiftly and effectively to concerns that may arise in school, at home, within the local community, or online. We work closely with families, safeguarding partners, and external agencies to protect children from all forms of harm, including neglect, abuse, exploitation, bullying, and online risks.
We recognise that some children may be more vulnerable than others and are committed to providing the support they need to feel safe and succeed. In particular, we take the safeguarding of pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) very seriously. We understand that children with SEND can face additional barriers to recognising abuse, reporting concerns, or accessing support. Staff are trained to be alert to these challenges and to ensure that communication, pastoral care, and safeguarding responses are tailored to individual needs. Close collaboration between our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs), and wider support teams helps ensure that vulnerable pupils receive the right support at the right time.
Listening to children is central to our safeguarding practice. We actively seek and value the views of pupils, parents, carers, and staff, ensuring that concerns are taken seriously and addressed promptly. Through strong relationships, clear reporting systems, and a commitment to transparency, we encourage everyone within our school communities to speak up when they have concerns.
The Federation maintains rigorous safeguarding procedures, including safer recruitment practices, robust staff induction and training, effective record keeping, and careful monitoring of attendance and wellbeing. Our policies are reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect current legislation, guidance, and best practice, helping us maintain the highest standards of protection for every child.
Your child’s safety and wellbeing are our foremost priorities. We are dedicated to providing a secure, nurturing environment where all children can learn with confidence, develop resilience, and enjoy their school experience. Below you will find key safeguarding information, policies, guidance, and contact details for our safeguarding team across the Federation of Yoredale Schools.
If you have any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, please contact a member of our safeguarding team immediately. If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact the police on 999.