Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd has a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy that ensures all staff and associates are recruited in line with ‘Safer Recruitment’ requirements outlined in KCSiE. Sandra Tibbles, the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Managing Director is a highly trained ex headteacher and consultant within Education, Special Educational Needs and Safeguarding and she ensures that all staff and associates are regularly trained and updated in line with local areas safeguarding board requirements and that safeguarding is central to the culture of the organisation.
We take a child/young person-centred approach to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person. This approach means keeping the child or young person concerned in focus when making decisions about their lives and working in partnership with them, their school if applicable, and their families.
All staff and associates of Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd are aware that children and young people may be vulnerable to neglect and abuse or exploitation from within their family and from individuals they come across in their day-to-day lives. We are aware of indicators of abuse and neglect, and understand that children can be at risk of harm inside and outside of school, inside and outside of home and online. These threats can take a variety of different forms, including: Sexual, physical and emotional abuse; neglect; exploitation by criminal gangs and organised crime groups; trafficking; online abuse; sexual exploitation and the influences of extremism leading to radicalisation.
We are aware that children and young people may not feel ready or know how to tell someone that they are being abused, exploited, or neglected, and/or they may not recognise their experiences as harmful. We understand that children and young people may feel embarrassed, humiliated, or being threatened. We also know that due to their context or situation they could be more vulnerable, for example due to non attendance within education, special educational needs or disabilities, being a child that is looked after and/or sexual orientation or language barriers.
All staff and associates are encouraged to be professionally curious at all times and know that they have a responsibility to speak to the DSL, or DDSL if they have any concerns about a child or young person they are supporting.
Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd believe that:
Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to work in a way that protects them at all times.
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment: Letter of Assurance for educational establishments
In accordance with the requirements of the DfE guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, I confirm that Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd has undertaken all the necessary safeguarding, safer recruitment and vetting and barring checks for all employees and its associates.
This includes checking that the following are in place:
- Enhanced DBS check
- Verification of identity
- Right to work in the United Kingdom
- Relevant overseas checks for those who have been abroad for more than three months during the last five years
- References
Childhood Matters Ltd are further confirming that staff working on behalf of Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd:
- Will share any safeguarding or child protection concerns with your educational establishment (immediately if it is believed the child is at risk of significant harm).
- Have undergone generalist level safeguarding training that is updated at least every 3 years.
- Have completed PREVENT and ACES training
- Have received an induction that focuses on safeguarding, ensuring all staff know how to respond in the child or young person’s best interests at all times.
- Have read and understood Part 1 of KCSiE and Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd AP’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Sandra Tibbles
DSL & Managing Director
