At Columbia Grange School, we regard the safeguarding of children as our main priority. We believe that we all have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn. We all have the responsibility to make this happen.

We will ensure that:

  • The welfare of the child remains paramount.
  • All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
  • All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report concerns to the designated leads for safeguarding.

Operation Encompass

We are an Operation Encompass School.

Operation Encompass is a unique police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people exposed to domestic abuse. Operation Encompass reports to schools before the start of the next school day when a child or young person has been involved or exposed to a domestic abuse incident the previous evening.

The information is given in strict confidence to a school's key adult to enable support to be given dependent on the needs and wishes of the child. We have members of staff (key adults) who have been fully trained to liaise with the police and children's social care, so are able to ensure the right support is made available to the child following the disclosure of a domestic abuse incident.

Operation Endeavour

We are an Operation Endeavour School.

Operation Endeavour is a joint operation between Together for Children and Northumbria Police to safeguard children and young people at risk of harm from going missing.

Operation Endeavour aims to support children and young people who go missing from home. Children who go missing from home are at risk of significant harm and they may be vulnerable to sexual exploitation, violent crime, gang exploitation, or to drug and alcohol misuse.

As a result, following any report of a child going missing to the Police, the Police will make contact with Children's Social Care who will then communicate relevant and necessary information to nominated school staff.

We have members of staff (key adults) who have been fully trained in liaising with the Police and Children's Social Care when required, and will ensure that the necessary support is made available to the child or young person following their return.

CAMHS/CYPS

CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. It is a free service run by the NHS and is made up of medical and mental health professionals. The service can be accessed in your local area. Sunderland Community CAMHS can only be accessed through referrals from education and health professionals. Please contact the school’s SENDCo, your GP or health visitor for advice and possible referral.

What can CAMHS offer?

CAMHS have qualified staff who can support you or your child if either you are experiencing mental health issues. Mental health issues may include depression, anxiety, panic attacks or self-harm but are not limited to these areas. If you are unsure about the help you need please contact the school, GP or other health professional.

To find out what CAMHS offer please visit their site https://www.sunderlandcommunitycamhs.nhs.uk/about-us/the-team/

CYPS stands for Children and Young People’s Service. It is a free service, within the NHS open to young people from 0 to 18 years living in the Sunderland locality, who present with mental health difficulties. They will also support children and young people with learning difficulties or who live in challenging conditions. The service can be accessed by referral from an educational and medical professional, by the young person themselves or their parent. To make a referral you can either contact CYPS directly, speak to the SENDCo at school or visit the GP.

What can CYPS offer?

CYPS can assess, diagnose and suggest support and intervention on a range of mental health issues. They can offer the following support: cognitive behaviour therapy, family therapy, and therapy for individual young people. They can also offer assessment (for children over the age of five) of neurodevelopmental issues such as Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and others. If you believe your child needs a neurodevelopmental assessment but is under 5 years, please contact the school SENDCo or your GP and they can refer directly to the paediatrician.

To find out what else CYPS offer please visit their site. https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/children-young-peoples-service-south-tyneside-sunderland/

Our Safeguarding Team

John Lines

Head Teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Sarah Kemp

Deputy Head Teacher and Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Gavin Briggs

Assistant Head Teacher and Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead