Safeguarding

At Southill Primary School, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility.

We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where every child feels secure, valued and able to thrive. We work closely with children, families and other professionals to identify concerns early and ensure children and families receive the right help and support.

All staff receive regular safeguarding training and understand their responsibility to recognise, record and report concerns about a child's welfare.

The Designated Senior Leaders (DSLs) for Safeguarding at Southill Primary are:

Please contact us if you wish to raise a concern or ask a question about a safeguarding matter at school.

Lisa Fisher is our Governor responsible for Safeguarding

lisa@southill.dorset.sch.uk

If you have a safeguarding concern about a child, please contact the school and ask to speak to a member of the Designated Safeguarding Team.

Our Approach to Safeguarding

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at Southill.

Our safeguarding arrangements follow current statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.

All members of staff understand their responsibility to:

listen to children and take their concerns seriously
recognise signs that a child may need help or protection
respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns
record and report concerns promptly
identify when children and families may benefit from additional help and support
remain alert to risks children may experience both in and outside school
maintain appropriate professional boundaries
understand how to report concerns about the conduct of an adult working with children

Staff are expected to act immediately if they have concerns about a child's welfare.

Reporting a Concern About a Child

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child at Southill Primary School, please contact us as soon as possible and ask to speak to a member of the Designated Safeguarding Team.

Southill Primary School
Sycamore Road
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 9UF

Telephone: 01305 773144

You can also contact Dorset Council's Family Support and Advice Line if you have worries or concerns about a child or young person.

Family Support and Advice Line: 01305 228866

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday: 8am–10pm
Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays: 9am–10pm

Out-of-hours emergencies: 01305 221000

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Family Help

We believe children and families should receive the right help at the right time.

Sometimes families experience challenges where additional support would be helpful. We work with children, parents and carers to identify needs as early as possible and, where appropriate, work alongside other services to provide support.

In Dorset, Family Help brings together targeted early help and children's social care support to provide a more joined-up approach for children, young people and families.

Parents and carers are encouraged to speak to us if they are experiencing difficulties or feel that their child or family would benefit from additional support.

Families can also contact Dorset Council's Family Support and Advice Line on 01305 228866 for advice and support.

Online Safety

Online safety is an integral part of safeguarding at Southill Primary School.

Our Online Safety Lead is Matt Ryan, Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead.

We teach children how to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully and help them develop the knowledge and confidence they need to recognise and manage online risks.

Online safety is addressed through our curriculum and wider safeguarding arrangements. This includes helping children understand risks associated with:

online communication and social media
cyberbullying
inappropriate or harmful content
sharing personal information and images
online exploitation and grooming
misinformation and harmful online influences
the safe and responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence

We also work with parents and carers to support children's safe and responsible use of technology outside school.

Any concerns about a child's online safety should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Concerns About an Adult

If you have a safeguarding concern or allegation about an adult who works or volunteers with children at Southill Primary School, this should be reported to the Headteacher.

If the concern relates to the Headteacher, it should be reported to the Chair of Governors, Jacqui Pateman-Jones.

The school follows the procedures set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 and local safeguarding arrangements when managing allegations or concerns about adults working with children.

Attendance and Safeguarding

Regular attendance at school is an important part of keeping children safe.

We monitor attendance carefully and follow up unexplained or concerning absences. Where patterns of absence raise concerns about a child's welfare, these are considered through our safeguarding procedures and appropriate support or action is taken.

Parents and carers should contact the school promptly whenever their child is absent.

Visitors and Volunteers

All visitors and volunteers are expected to follow the school's safeguarding procedures.

Visitors must report to the school office on arrival, sign in and wear the appropriate identification while on the school site.

Adults working or volunteering regularly with children are subject to appropriate safeguarding and safer recruitment checks in accordance with statutory guidance.

Key Safeguarding Documents

Our key safeguarding policies and guidance include:

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy 2026/27
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026
Behaviour and Relationships Policy
Online Safety Policy
Anti-Bullying Policy
Attendance Policy
Staff Code of Conduct
Whistleblowing Policy

These documents can be accessed through our Policies page.

Useful Safeguarding Contacts

Southill Primary School
01305 773144

Dorset Council Family Support and Advice Line
01305 228866

Out-of-hours emergencies
01305 221000

Emergency services
999

NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000

Childline
0800 1111

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child, please report your concern.