Safeguarding

At The Sandringham Federation, safeguarding is central to everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment in which children are respected, valued, and able to share concerns confidently. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)

Our safeguarding team consists of trained staff with specific responsibilities for child protection:

  • Mrs Catherine King – Executive Headteacher (Lead DSL)
  • Mrs Nichola Keir – Executive Deputy Headteacher (Deputy DSL)
  • Mrs Tamsin Herbert – KS2 Teacher (Deputy DSL Flitcham)

You can contact the safeguarding team via the school office or by emailing office@flitcham.norfolk.sch.uk or office@sandringhamwestnewton.norfolk.sch.uk with Safeguarding in the subject line. Concerns can also be raised with any member of staff.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, please dial 999.

Safeguarding Governance

  • DNEAT Safeguarding Lead: Louise Veeren
  • Chair of Governors: Laura Holland
  • Safeguarding Governor: Margaret Thorne

The Governing Body ensures the Federation meets all statutory safeguarding duties and that children are safe, protected, and supported.

Our Safeguarding Commitment

We follow statutory guidance including Keeping Children Safe in Education, Working Together to Safeguard Children, and local Norfolk procedures. We:

  • Provide annual safeguarding training for all staff, with updates throughout the year.
  • Maintain a culture of vigilance where staff are alert to signs of abuse or neglect.
  • Ensure children know who they can talk to if they feel worried or unsafe.
  • Promote safe behaviours through the curriculum, including online safety, healthy relationships, and personal safety.
  • Work closely with external agencies to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

Record Keeping

In line with good practice, we keep clear, secure records of:

  • Discussions or observations with a child
  • Discussions or observations with parents
  • Concerns raised by staff
  • Decisions made and actions taken

Records are stored confidentially and shared only when necessary and proportionate to safeguard a child.

Making Referrals

Anyone with concerns about a child’s welfare can make a referral to Children’s Social Care.

In Norfolk, concerns can be raised via the Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS) on 0344 800 8020.

The law requires school staff to pass on any information that gives rise to concern about a child’s welfare. While we aim to discuss concerns with parents wherever possible, there may be occasions where advice is sought from other agencies without parental consent if a child is believed to be at risk of harm.

Information Sharing

We follow Norfolk’s information-sharing protocols to ensure that information is shared:

  • Securely
  • Sensitively
  • Only when necessary and proportionate

Information is shared with other services solely to keep children safe and ensure they receive appropriate support.

Attendance and Safeguarding

Poor attendance is a known risk factor in abuse and neglect.

In addition to statutory attendance recording, we:

  • Follow up all unexplained absences promptly
  • Treat persistent absence as a safeguarding concern
  • Work with families early to remove barriers to attendance
  • Engage external agencies where needed

Safer Recruitment

We follow safer recruitment procedures to ensure all staff and volunteers working with children are suitable. This includes:

  • Enhanced DBS checks
  • Identity and qualification checks
  • Reference verification
  • Ongoing safeguarding training

Operation Encompass

Both Sandringham & West Newton and Flitcham Primary Academy participate in Operation Encompass, a partnership between Norfolk Police, Norfolk County Council, and schools.

This ensures that when a child has been involved in, witnessed, or present during a domestic abuse incident, the school receives a confidential notification before 9am the next day.

Our Key Adults are:

  • Mrs Catherine King
  • Mrs Nichola Keir

They use this information sensitively to ensure children receive timely, appropriate support.

Our Legal Duties

Under the Education Act 2002 (Section 175/157), schools must “make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.” 

Under Section 3(5) of the Children Act 1989, schools “may do what is reasonable… for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare.”

We take these duties seriously and act in the best interests of children at all times.

Get in Touch
Flitcham Church of England Primary Academy
Church Road, Flitcham
Norfolk PE31 6BU
Sandringham and West Newton Church of England Primary Academy
School Road, West Newton, Kings Lynn
Norfolk, PE31 6AX