Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined in the guidance of Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2024 as:
Safeguarding children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is more complex than for the mainstream population. At Hedgewood we are aware of these additional challenges and ensure that all our staff receive regular safeguarding training and updates to provide them with relevant and current skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively.
At Hedgewood school, we put the best interests of the child at the heart of a child centered and coordinated approach to safeguarding.
Our commitment to safeguarding and the protection of children is demonstrated by:
Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found on our School Policies page
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) | Ayo Akinnola (Family Services Manager) |
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads |
Diane Owens (Deputy Headteacher) Jo Major (Senior Family Service Worker) |
Senior Staff in DSL Team |
Pearl Greenwald (Co-Headteacher) Bryony Smith (Co- Headteacher) Victoria Leahy (Assistant Headteacher) Ladan Jama (Assistant Headteacher) Tara Shiki (Assistant Headteacher) |
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) | Hannah Ives Tel No. 01895 250010 / 07753 431285 |
Link Governor for Safeguarding | Sally Channing |
We work in partnership with Hillingdon Stronger Families to support families with the help that they need, when they need it most, and to protect children from abuse and neglect.
The Stronger Families Hub is also available to help and support families with information, advice and support any time of the day or night. If you’re a parent/carer in Hillingdon, they can provide you and your family with help in the following areas:
You can also contact the Stronger Families Hub if you’re worried about another child who may be at risk.
Get in touch by emailing strongerfamilieshub@hillingdon.gov.uk or call 01895 556006.
We are part of a joint agency project with Hillingdon Council and the Metropolitan Police called Operation Encompass, to support our pupils and their families who have experienced a domestic incident.
Operation Encompass will ensure that our Designated Safeguarding Lead is informed of the incident, so that we can offer discreet support for you and your child. We aim to provide a secure and caring environment to help reduce the broader effects of domestic abuse.
Our Operation Encompass Lead, Ayo Akinnola, can be contacted via office@hedgewood.org or 0208 845 6756