Safeguarding

Safeguarding Statement and Information

If you have a safeguarding concern, please contact the school on 01204 333044 and ask to speak to Assistant Headteacher Julie McAllister who is our Designated Safeguarding and Prevent Lead or Rachel Podmore our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Alternatively email the pastoral team on Pastoral@firwood.bolton.sch.uk or phone the school office and ask to speak to any of the staff members below.

Dawn Evans - Head of School and DDSL

Catherine King – Deputy Headteacher and DDSL

Our Safeguarding Trustee is Ashley Mason - Contact@firwood.bolton.sch.uk

We are proud that safeguarding is an integral part of the culture and ethos at Firwood High school. At Firwood it is everyone's responsibility to safeguard child and young people. All staff working in the school have safeguarding training annually. This covers general safeguarding requirements, a deeper focus on topics that are relevant at the time and a section on the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This gives all the staff the confidence they need to notice potential problems and raise any concerns in a timely and appropriate way. Our safeguarding team all have regular external training to allow them to do their job with skill, knowledge and confidence.

Firwood is committed to providing a warm, safe and welcoming environment for all students, staff and visitors. Every student has the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. We believe it is important to work in partnership with parents, carers and outside agencies to help our students achieve their full potential.

To promote a safe environment for students, our recruitment policy includes all checks on staff and regular volunteers’ suitability, including Criminal Records Bureau checks, as recommended by Bolton Council in accordance with current legislation.

The procedures, which we follow, have been laid down by the Bolton safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP) and the school has adopted a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy in line with this for the safety of all. The Policy can be found on the school website under policies.

Further information:

For More information on Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance visit:

Keeping children safe in education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Useful links if you have a concern about a child or would like some more information:

Worried about a child? – Bolton Council (this has lots of links to helpful organisations and information and is also where you can report a concern about any child living in Bolton)

NSPCC | The UK children's charity | NSPCC (helpful information about how to safeguard children and links to get support)

Operation Encompass:

Firwood High School is in partnership with Bolton Safeguarding Board and Greater Manchester Police in a project called “Bolton Encompass”. The project is designed to provide support for children who may be impacted on by domestic violence. Information from Encompass will be shared with Head of School Mrs Dawn Evans who has been identified as key adult at Firwood. The key adult and the DSL will ensure that appropriate supportive strategies are put in place.

Fortalice - Domestic Abuse Charity North West - 01204 365677

Fighting against child exploitation:

Welcome to the NWG Network

Face up 2 it

Mental Health Support:

Childline: Call 0800 1111 or visit Childline | Childline

Papyrus offers support to young people feeling suicidal: Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)

Samaritans: Call 08457 909090 or visit

Kooth – Home - Kooth

Online Safety:

Minecraft | Parent Zone | At the heart of digital family life

CEOP Safety Centre