SEN & Safeguarding

Safeguarding Spotlight: Reporting & Recording Concerns

At Christ’s College Finchley, the safety and well-being of our students is our absolute priority. We believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, including our parents and carers.

1. What Should I Report?

A concern is any sign that a child’s physical or mental health, development, or safety is being impaired. This could include:

• Changes in behavior or mood (becoming withdrawn or aggressive).

• Unexplained bruising or injuries.

• Comments made by a child that cause you worry.

• Concerns regarding online safety or social media interactions.

• Signs of neglect or extreme poverty.

2. How to Report a Concern

If you have a concern about your child or another student at the school, please use the following channels:

• Email the Safeguarding Team: You can reach us directly at safe@ccfplus.com. This inbox is monitored by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

• Phone the School: Call the main office and ask to speak with the DSL (Mark Hodges) or one of the Deputy DSLs.

• Direct to Barnet MASH: If you believe a child is at immediate risk and the school is closed, you can contact the Barnet Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) directly on 020 8359 4066.

3. How We Record Information

When you share a concern with us, we follow a professional and confidential recording process:

• CPOMS: We use a secure digital system called CPOMS (Child Protection Online Management System). This allows us to track patterns and ensure that information is shared only with the relevant staff members.

• Chronologies: By recording even small concerns, we build a "chronology" (a timeline) that helps us identify if a student needs extra support early on.

• Confidentiality: All records are kept separate from a student’s academic file and are only accessible by the Senior Safeguarding Team.

4. The "Golden Rule" of Reporting

"If you think it, say it." No concern is too small. Often, a small piece of information provided by a parent is the final piece of a puzzle that allows us to provide the right help to a family.

Useful Contacts

• School DSL: Mark Hodges (Deputy Headteacher)

• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

• Childline: 0800 1111

Digital Safety: The "Share" Test

Before your child posts or sends something online, encourage them to ask:

• Secure: Is my account private?

• Helpful: Is this comment kind?

• Appropriate: Would I want a teacher or grandparent to see this?

• Real: Is this person really who they say they are?

• Exit: Do I know how to block or report if I feel uncomfortable?