Fullhurst Community College aims to safeguard and promote the welfare, safety and health of every registered student by fostering an honest, open, caring and supportive climate. The students’ welfare is of paramount importance. This means we will always work to:

• Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge.
• Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online
• Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development.
• Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable all children have the best outcomes.

What is involved in safeguarding

There are four main elements to our Safeguarding Children in Education - Child Protection Policy, which you can also read in full.

• Prevention (e.g. positive college atmosphere, teaching and pastoral support to students, preventing unsuitable people working with children)
• Protection (by following agreed procedures, including visitor information, and ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to child protection concerns)
• Support (to students, parents and college staff)
• Working with parents (build and maintain transparent, positive working relationships with parents to ensure appropriate communications and actions are undertaken)

Who are the main safeguarding contacts at the college?

• Designated Safeguarding Lead
  Mr Apollo Rai (Deputy Principal)
  arai@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk
  0116 2824326

• Safeguarding Manager 
  Miss Mary McKenzie 
  mmckenzie@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk
  0116 2824326

• Safeguarding Officers 
  Angela Schalkwyk and Emma Lunn
  aschalkwyk@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk 
  elunn@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk
  0116 2824326

• Safeguarding Admin 
  Louise Darlington 
  ldarlington@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk 
   0116 2824326, Option 3

• Named Safeguarding Governor & Chair of Governors
  Mrs Lynne Folwell
  0116 2824326

• Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) 
  Jude Atkinson
  0116 4542440

Information for Students:

Here is a list of agencies you can contact if you need someone to talk to about how you are feeling.

• The Samaritans can be contacted around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To contact the Samaritans from anywhere in the UK, call free, from any phone on 116 123.  
• Childline - 0800 1111
• Young Minds
• MindEd
• MIND

If more urgent support is required, and you feel unsafe or at risk of hurting yourself, please make contact with:

1.          Your GP

2.         Local Accident & Emergency Department

3.         Call 111 or 999

Where possible, try to talk to your parents/ carer or identify an adult you can talk to. If you feel at risk of immediate danger, contact the police on 999.

Information for parents:

If you have any safeguarding concerns about your child or any other child, please email the Safeguarding Team via safeguarding@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk and someone will be in touch.

If you need support for your family, you can contact Social Care. They can offer or direct you to support for families who are struggling with a variety of issues. If you live in the city, please call 0116 4541004, Option 1, Option 1, Option 2.

Early Help

The Early Help Offer via Leicester City Council brings together a range of services to support children, young people and their families who need some additional help. You can contact one number 0116 454 1004 – and professionals will be able to discuss concerns and share advice to ensure the correct support is in place for your family. You can also email them for more information - early-help@leicester.gov.uk

More information can be found using the link below:

Early Help Support Services

A member of our Safeguarding Team can also assist you in seeking support from Early Help – please email safeguarding@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk with your concerns, and we will contact you and make a plan as to how we should proceed.

If you live in the county, please call 0116 305 0005 – stay on the line as a family member or member of the public. If you feel there is a risk of immediate danger or harm, you can contact the police on 101 or 999.

The following websites offer guidance on a range of different issues:

NSPCC – Understanding situations can change daily, NSPCC has put together information ranging from early parenting advice to managing family life, staying safe online, friends and relationships and supporting yourself and your child.

NSPCC Keeping Children Safe

Freeva offers support for people that have experienced or are experiencing domestic and sexual violence or abuse. They also work to build healthy relationships and cohesive families and communities.

Freeva

Jasmine House is a Rape Crisis Support organisation for young women aged 13 and above. Support is offered via a support service (face-to-face, telephone, email, online, peer support groups), counselling, young woman’s service and support groups. You can self-refer or speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team who can complete a referral on your behalf.

Jasmine House

LiveSafe provides information and advice about a number of ongoing issues such as knife crime, exploitation and gangs, staying safe online and healthy relationships. You can also report concerns via this website.

Live Safe

If you are concerned about a child’s welfare, you can contact the police on 101 or 999 or, you can contact Children’s Social Care on 0116 454 1001 – Option 1, Option 1, Option 3

You can also email safeguarding@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk. Your email will be sent to the relevant staff member. This email address will be checked remotely during the holidays. Therefore, if your concerns are immediate, please contact the police or social care using the details above.

Advice for parents / carers

If you have any concerns about a student at Fullhurst Community College, please contact Mr Rai on 0116 282 4326 or via safeguarding@fullhurst.leicester.sch.uk.

A reminder to students

If you have any concerns about yourself or a fellow student, it is important to talk to someone.  Remember, you can talk to ANY member of staff.  You may want to speak to a member of your pastoral team, a member of the safeguarding team or Mr Rai.  If you feel unable to speak to someone in college, you may wish to contact Childline 0800 1111

Keeping Children Safe in Education 

Read the most recent version of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024

Protecting children and young people from extremism

The government has launched the ‘Educate Against Hate’ website to give parents, teachers and school leaders practical advice on protecting children from extremism. The website includes resources to assist teachers to build students' critical thinking skills and resilience to extremist ideologies.  If you are concerned that a child might be at risk of extremism, or if you have any other concern about extremism in a school, please contact  a member of the safeguarding team on 0116 2824326. Alternatively, you can email counter.extremism@education.gov.uk or call 020 7340 7264.

Operation Encompass 

As you may be aware, Operation Encompass is a protocol whereby schools will formally be notified by Social Care of any reported incident of domestic violence at an address at which children are present or normally reside. In Leicester, the protocol has been established in partnership between Leicester City Council and Leicestershire Police and is supported by the Leicester Safeguarding Children Board. 

By informing schools of any such incident, relevant support can be implemented for students where necessary.