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Changes in behavior or mood (becoming withdrawn or aggressive).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