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Safeguarding Overview

NHPS Parent Safeguarding Guide 2026-27

Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every pupil. All staff, governors and volunteers share that duty. We follow the procedures set by the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP), alongside Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In practice, that means we:

  • keep school a place where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to;
  • train all staff to recognise welfare concerns and act on them straight away;
  • make sure every child knows which adults they can go to if they are worried;
  • teach children the skills to recognise risk and stay safe, online and offline.

The welfare of each child is paramount. We are also alert to the fact that some children are more vulnerable than others, including those with SEND, those living in difficult circumstances, and those who have witnessed violence or domestic abuse.

Who to speak to

Designated Safeguarding Leads

  • Mrs Helena Gilchrist, Assistant Headteacher KS2 – Lead DSL
  • Mrs Hattie Lohman, Assistant Headteacher KS1 and SENCO – Deputy DSL
  • Mr Joseph Fulford, Headteacher – Deputy DSL
  • Mr James Driver, Year 6 – Deputy DSL
  • Miss Amy Kirkup, Reception – Early Years DSL
  • Ms Jess White, Year 1 – KS1 DSL

Safeguarding Governor: Mr John Allen, Chair of Governors.

Pastoral team: Mrs Hattie Lohman (Pastoral Lead / SENCO), Mrs Donna Pledger (Mental Health Lead), Mrs Sarah Hancon (ELSA), Mrs Andrea Bramley (Drawing & Talking), Mrs Kelly Jones (Drawing & Talking).

Worried about a child? Here is what to do

If you are worried about any child, tell us the same day. Phone the school office on 01327 351466 and ask to speak to a member of the safeguarding team. They will listen, record what you tell them, and explain what happens next.

Schools do not investigate concerns themselves. Our job is to record what we are told, assess the level of need using the NSCP's Right Help, Right Time guidance, and pass it to the right service. That might mean support from school, an Early Help assessment, or a referral to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

You do not have to come through school. Anyone can contact MASH directly on 0300 126 7000, or report a concern online through Northamptonshire Children's Trust. The same number reaches the Emergency Duty Team outside office hours. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Concerns about an adult in school

If you have a concern about the conduct of any member of staff, governor or volunteer towards a child, contact Mr Joseph Fulford, Headteacher, on 01327 351466. Concerns about the Headteacher should go to the Executive Principal or the Chair of Governors.

Allegations against adults who work with children are referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and handled under NSCP procedures.

Recognising abuse and neglect

The NSCP describes six areas parents should know about: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, child exploitation (both criminal and sexual), and bullying or cyberbullying. Abuse can be carried out by anyone, including family members, friends, people your child knows online, and strangers.

You do not need to be certain, and you do not need proof. If something feels wrong, tell us. Fuller descriptions of each type are on the NSCP's What is Abuse pages.

A parent's guide to MASH

Whenever anyone is worried about a child, for example a teacher or a health visitor, they make a referral to the team at the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. MASH brings together staff and information from services across Northamptonshire, including Children's Social Care, Education, Health, Police, Probation, Fire and Rescue, the ambulance service and the Youth Offending Team.

Working together in one team means risks and needs can be identified at the earliest possible point, and responded to with joined-up action. Children and families may come to the attention of MASH because:

  • a parent or carer has asked for support directly;
  • a professional feels a family needs help or support;
  • a child or their family has come into contact with the police;
  • a child has told someone about abuse.

What happens after a referral

A social worker reviews the concern, gathers information from partner agencies and speaks with parents and carers. A MASH manager then decides on one of four outcomes:

  1. serious concerns or complex needs are identified, and the case passes to Children's Social Care;
  2. there are no serious concerns, but the family would benefit from early help and support;
  3. additional needs are identified and addressed through an Early Help assessment;
  4. there is no evidence of concern, and the child is supported by universal services.

How will I find out what is happening?

In most cases MASH, or the service you are referred to, will contact you with an update. You can also ring MASH yourself on 0300 126 7000 to ask about a referral. If a case goes to Children's Social Care, the social worker will contact you to talk it through or arrange to meet your family.

Consent and information sharing

Where we refer a child for advice and support, we will ask your permission first and talk it through with you. We can refer without consent if we believe a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, harm. In those cases we will only tell you beforehand if we are confident that doing so would not increase the risk to the child.

Information is held and processed securely, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, and is shared with other practitioners or agencies only on a need-to-know basis: where there are believed to be child protection issues, or where the information is needed to make sure your child receives the right assessment or services.

If you are unhappy

If you are unhappy with how a referral about your family has been handled, raise it with the MASH team first. If you are still unhappy, you can make a complaint through Northamptonshire Children's Trust.

Online safety at home

Keep devices in shared spaces, check the age ratings on games and apps, turn on parental controls with your internet provider, and talk regularly about who your child is speaking to online. Make sure they know they can tell you anything without getting into trouble.

Useful contacts

Useful links

Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on our Policies page.