At Sevenoaks Prep, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. Ensuring the safety, wellbeing and happiness of our children is our most important priority. Our dedicated safeguarding team, led by our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Helen Cook, works tirelessly to create a secure environment where every child can thrive. The team includes five Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs), each with specific areas of responsibility:
Safeguarding
Our safeguarding team meets weekly to discuss important topics and collaborates closely with the school leadership team to ensure that every child is supported. We introduce children to safeguarding, explain what it means and provide guidance on what to do if they have a concern. Safeguarding is not only the responsibility of our safeguarding team but also a commitment shared by every member of staff at our school. If a parent has a safeguarding concern, they should email Mrs. Helen Cook at helen.cook@theprep.org.uk.
What is Safeguarding
Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It encompasses all the measures we take to ensure children are safe, protected and supported. This includes preventing any form of abuse, neglect or exploitation and creating an environment where children feel secure, listened to and valued.
Common Safeguarding Concerns
The most common safeguarding concerns include:
Physical Abuse: Causing deliberate physical harm to a child.
Emotional Abuse: Persistent emotional maltreatment that impacts a child’s emotional development.
Sexual Abuse: Forcing or enticing a child to engage in sexual activities.
Neglect: Failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, emotional, or educational needs.
Online Safety: Protecting children from online risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Mental Health and Wellbeing: Identifying and addressing mental health issues that may affect a child’s wellbeing and development.
What to do if you have a concern
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to working together to keep all children safe. You can find a list of all our safeguarding policies on our dedicated policies page.
Useful Links
Support for staff
Education Support Partnership: educationsupportpartnership.org.uk
Professional Online Safety Helpline: saferinternet.org.uk/helpline
Support for Pupils
NSPCC: nspcc.org.uk
ChildLine: childline.org.uk
Papyrus: papyrus-uk.org
Young Minds: youngminds.org.uk
The Mix: themix.org.uk
Support for Adults
Family Lives: familylives.org.uk
Crime Stoppers: crimestoppers-uk.org
Victim Support: victimsupport.org.uk
Kidscape: kidscape.org.uk
The Samaritans: samaritans.org
Mind: mind.org.uk
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood): napac.org.uk
MOSAC: mosac.org.uk
Action Fraud: actionfraud.police.uk
Safeguarding Newsletters
Our monthly Safeguarding Newsletters are designed to keep parents informed and engaged with the ways we support the safety and well-being of all children at Sevenoaks Prep School, one version is tailored for families with children from Nursery to Year 5 and another for those with children in Years 6 to 8. Each version offers insights, resources and guidance appropriate for the different age groups to support parents and their child’s needs effectively.
Online Safety Guides
The National College have developed a series of guides designed to help parents, educators, and carers protect children online. Below is a selection of guides parents may find useful.
Operation Encompass at Sevenoaks Prep
Sevenoaks Prep is proud to be an Operation Encompass school, working in partnership with Kent Police to support children who may be affected by domestic abuse. This initiative ensures that if the police attend an incident where a child is present, they will inform the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead before the next school day. This allows us to provide timely and appropriate support to the child in a safe and understanding environment. Our priority is always the wellbeing of our pupils, and we are committed to offering care and reassurance when they need it most.
