Keeping Safe at Ralph Sadleir
Ralph Sadleir works in partnership with parents/carers to help and support their child to achieve their full potential and have the best outcomes. However, all schools have a clear responsibility placed on them by the Children Act 1989 and guidance from the Department for Education to safeguard the welfare of all students. The school therefore works in conjunction with Hertfordshire’s Children’s Services if they believe there is a possibility that a child may be suffering from abuse or neglect and follows Hertfordshire’s Child Protection Procedures.
Ralph Sadleir has a Child Protection Policy which reflects the latest government guidance on ‘Keeping Children safe in Education’.
Safeguarding is the responsibility of all staff at Ralph Sadleir in order to keep all children safe.
However, our Safeguarding team play a key role. Members of the Safeguarding Team are:
Mrs Scripps, Designated Safeguarding Lead (Headteacher)
Mr Davison, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy Headteacher)
Ms Devonshire, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Assistant Headteacher)
Mrs Wilson, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (SENDCO)
Mrs Hindhaugh, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Wellbeing Lead)
We are here to support children and families, ensuring school remains a safe, caring environment. If anyone has a safeguarding concern about a student, contact should be made with a member the Safeguarding Team.
What is a school safeguarding team?
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, but every school must also have a dedicated safeguarding team to make sure children are safe, supported, and protected.
The team is led by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), a senior member of staff who has overall responsibility for safeguarding and child protection. The DSL ensures concerns are managed properly, staff are trained, and that children and families get the right help at the right time. Supporting the DSL are one or more Deputy Safeguarding Leads. They are trained to the same level and can step in whenever the DSL is not available, making sure there is always someone families or staff can turn to. The safeguarding team works closely with all teachers, support staff, and external agencies (such as children’s services, health professionals, and the police if needed).
Their role includes:
• Listening to children and parents if they have concerns
• Acting quickly to keep children safe
• Promoting wellbeing and resilience
• Ensuring school policies follow the latest KCSIE guidance
Parents and students can approach any member of the safeguarding team with a worry, however small.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
From 1 September 2025, updated government guidance on safeguarding, called Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), came into effect. This guidance sets out how schools protect children and what parents should be aware of.
One of the biggest changes is that regular school attendance is now clearly recognised as part of safeguarding. Being in school every day is important not only for learning, but also for keeping children safe and supported.
The guidance also places more focus on online safety. We talk to students about risks such as misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories, and the safe use of AI technologies. This is to help students think critically about what they see online and to keep them safe in the digital world.
Another change is around alternative provision (when students attend education somewhere other than their main school). Schools must now carry out more checks to make sure those settings are safe and suitable for children.
Further updates are expected later in the year, including new advice on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) and guidance on supporting gender-questioning children.
As parents, your ongoing partnership with school is vital in helping us keep all of our students safe, happy, and thriving.
Operation Encompass
Ralph Sadleir is part of Operation Encompass, a national initiative designed to ensure that children are supported at the earliest possible stage if they experience domestic abuse in their home. The scheme is a partnership between schools and the police.
When police attend a domestic abuse incident and a child has been present, they notify the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead before the start of the next school day. This information is shared securely and confidentially. It does not include detailed accounts of the incident, but it enables us to understand that a child may be upset, worried, or distracted. Knowing this allows us to provide sensitive and immediate support, whether that means a safe space to talk, a trusted adult to check in with, or simply extra kindness and understanding in the classroom. Every child deserves to come to school feeling safe and ready to learn. Operation Encompass helps us to meet children’s needs quickly, so that difficulties at home do not prevent them from achieving at school.
If you would like more information about how the scheme works or the support available, please contact our Safeguarding Team or visit the Operation Encompass website.
Attendance Matters
Excellent school attendance is vital for your child’s learning and wellbeing, and is also a critical part of our school’s safeguarding responsibilities. Our legal duty to safeguard children is underpinned by the government’s statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). This guidance explicitly links school attendance to safeguarding, stating that persistent and unexplained absences can be a warning sign of a range of harms, including abuse and neglect, criminal exploitation, or mental health issues. By ensuring your child attends school regularly, you are helping us fulfil our duty to monitor their safety and welfare.
Our robust systems for tracking attendance are not simply administrative; they are a vital tool for early intervention. A child being in school allows us to observe changes in behaviour or mood and identify potential problems before they escalate. It ensures they have access to the trusted support networks and pastoral care that are available within our school community. In line with KCSIE, we must work with children’s services where school absence indicates safeguarding concerns.
A strong partnership between home and school is crucial for this process. We urge you to communicate with us about any barriers to attendance, big or small, so we can work together to help your child thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
