The Forest Family is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We recognise that this is everyone’s responsibility. At The Forest Family, we pay due regard to new legislation when carrying out our duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
The Forest Family works with the procedures set out by the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (2026). We do this by:
- Ensuring that Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility.
- Ensuring children in our school can share their concerns and ensure that they have a ‘voice’.
- Ensuring our staff are trained, regularly and rigorously.
- Ensuring children in our schools are educated through a broad and balanced curriculum offering advice and guidance which allows them to make decision to help keep themselves safe.
- Ensuring we work collaboratively, knowing that no one agency can have the full picture, sharing information in a timely and accurate way and also ensuring that when required, we are not afraid to challenge professionals to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people.
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr Matthew Baxter
Deputy DSL All Saints
Mrs Jodie Jones
Deputy DSL Needwood
Mrs Donna Preston
Deputy DSL Yoxall
Mrs Ceri Jones
Deputy DSL (all schools)
Mrs Sally Ward (SENDCo)
Safeguarding Governor
Mrs Joanne Lowe
SENDCo
Mrs Sally Ward
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) takes lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection within the setting. The DSL and deputy DSL must meet the requirements of the EYFS and ensure safeguarding arrangements are effectively implemented, monitored and reviewed.
During school hours and term time you can contact the Safeguarding Team by calling the main school numbers:
- 01283 575216 (Needwood)
- 01283 712385 (All Saints)
- 01543 472236 (Yoxall).
During weekends and holidays, if you are concerned about the safety of a child or young person please use the contact details below:
Staffordshire
Staffordshire families integrated front door (SFIFD) (Monday- Friday 8am-5pm):
0300 111 8033
Emergency Out of Hours (Evenings and Weekends):
0345 604 2886
Police
Non-Emergency: 101
Emergency: 999
Derbyshire
Child Protection Referrals:
01629 533190
Operation Encompass
We are an Operation Encompass School
Home : Operation Encompass
PREVENT
The Forest Family Schools is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. As part of this commitment, we recognise our responsibility under the Prevent Duty to have due regard to the need to prevent pupils from being drawn into terrorism, extremism or radicalisation.
We believe that protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities. Through our curriculum, collective worship, personal development programme and wider school culture, we actively promote British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We encourage pupils to think critically, challenge stereotypes and develop resilience to extremist narratives.
All staff receive regular safeguarding and Prevent training to ensure they understand the signs and indicators of radicalisation and know how to report concerns. Any concerns relating to extremism, radicalisation or vulnerability to radicalising influences are treated seriously and managed in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.
The Forest Family Schools works closely with Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, local authorities, police and other relevant agencies to safeguard children where concerns arise.
The designated Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Prevent across The Forest Family Schools is:
Matthew Baxter
Executive Headteacher and Prevent Single Point of Contact
The SPOC is responsible for:
- Coordinating Prevent-related concerns across the schools.
- Ensuring staff receive appropriate Prevent training and updates.
- Acting as the first point of contact for Prevent referrals and advice.
- Liaising with external agencies, including the Local Authority and Police Prevent Team, where appropriate.
- Supporting safeguarding leaders to ensure effective implementation of the Prevent Duty.
Through strong safeguarding practice, effective staff training and a culture of respect and inclusion, The Forest Family Schools remains committed to creating a safe environment in which all pupils can learn, thrive and feel protected from harm.
Policies
The Forest Family of schools is committed to keeping our students safe, both in school and the wider community. As part of our safeguarding arrangements, we have a two-way information sharing agreement in place with the local police authority. The agreement is compliant with Crime & Disorder Act 1998 (s.115) and Data Protection Act 1998 (s.29.3; s.35.2.), and focuses on preventing young people from becoming involved or further involved in crime and anti-social behaviour as a victim or offender.
