Safeguarding at Meridian High School
| Immediate danger If a child is in immediate danger or at immediate risk of harm, call 999. |
Meridian High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, volunteers and members of our school community to share this commitment.
If you are worried about a child, say something.
You do not need to be certain before asking for help.
At Meridian High School, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is our highest priority. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We work to create a culture in which students feel safe, are listened to and know how to ask for help. All staff have a responsibility to identify concerns, act on them promptly and ensure that children receive the right help at the right time.
Are you worried about a child?
You do not need to be certain that something is wrong before raising a concern.
STUDENTS
I need help or want to report something
If something is worrying you, or you are worried about another student, you can:
- speak to any member of staff at Meridian;
- speak directly to a member of the Safeguarding Team; or
- report your concern using SHARP, our online reporting system.
You can talk to us about anything that is making you feel unsafe, uncomfortable or worried, whether it is happening in school, at home, in the community or online.
We will listen to you and take what you tell us seriously. We cannot always promise to keep information secret because we may need to share it with other people who can help to keep you or somebody else safe.
PARENTS, CARERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
I am worried about a child
If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a Meridian student, please contact the school and ask to speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team.
Telephone: 020 3943 1328
Email: stop@meridianhigh.london
You do not need proof that abuse or harm has taken place. If something does not feel right, please share your concern.
WHEN SCHOOL IS CLOSED
I need safeguarding help out of hours
If you are concerned that a child is being harmed, neglected or may need safeguarding support while the school is closed, you can contact Croydon Children’s Services Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) directly.
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Croydon MASH: 020 8255 2888
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays
Croydon Emergency Duty Team: 020 8726 6400 – option 5
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Meet our Safeguarding Team
Students do not have to find a member of the Safeguarding Team before asking for help. Every adult in the school has a responsibility to listen and act on a safeguarding concern.
What happens if you tell us something?
When a safeguarding concern is raised, we will:
- listen carefully;
- make sure the child is safe;
- record the concern accurately;
- consider what support is needed;
- speak to parents or carers where it is safe and appropriate to do so; and
- work with other professionals, including Children’s Social Care, health services and the police, where necessary.
Information is shared only where there is a legitimate safeguarding reason to do so.
Our priority will always be the safety and welfare of the child.
Safeguarding at Meridian
Safeguarding is much wider than responding to child protection concerns. Our work focuses on prevention, early identification and effective intervention.
Our safeguarding approach includes:
- abuse and neglect;
- child-on-child abuse;
- bullying and prejudice-based bullying;
- sexual violence and sexual harassment;
- harmful sexual behaviour;
- domestic abuse;
- exploitation and serious youth violence;
- children who go missing from education;
- attendance where absence may indicate a safeguarding concern;
- mental health and emotional wellbeing;
- online safety;
- radicalisation and extremism;
- female genital mutilation and forced marriage;
- contextual safeguarding and risks within the local community; and
- supporting children and families who may need Early Help.
Staff receive safeguarding training and regular updates so that they understand emerging risks and know how to recognise and respond to concerns.
Safeguarding is also taught through the curriculum, assemblies, tutor time and our wider personal development programme so that students understand risk, healthy relationships, consent, online safety and where to seek help.
Child-on-child abuse
We recognise that children can abuse other children and that this can happen inside or outside school and online.
Child-on-child abuse can include:
- bullying;
- physical violence;
- sexual harassment;
- sexual violence;
- harmful sexual behaviour;
- abuse within relationships;
- sharing sexual images; and
- online abuse.
We do not dismiss harmful behaviour as “banter”, “part of growing up” or something children should simply tolerate.
Students are encouraged to report concerns about their own experiences or something they have witnessed. Reports will be taken seriously and appropriate support will be provided to those affected.
Online safety
Technology is an important part of children’s lives, but it can also expose young people to harm. Online safety is an integral part of safeguarding at Meridian. We teach students how to understand, recognise and respond to risks including:
- online relationships and communication;
- cyberbullying and online harassment;
- grooming and exploitation;
- sharing images and intimate content;
- harmful or inappropriate online material;
- misinformation and manipulation;
- social media risks;
- AI-generated or manipulated images and content; and
- how and where to report something that concerns them.
The school has appropriate filtering and monitoring arrangements in place as part of our wider safeguarding approach.
Parents and carers are encouraged to talk regularly with their children about their online lives and to contact us if they are concerned about something affecting their child online.
Parents and carers can find advice about online risks, parental controls and how to report harmful content on our dedicated Online Safety page.
Concerns about an adult working with children
If you have a safeguarding concern about the behaviour of a member of staff, volunteer, contractor or another adult working with children at Meridian High School, this should be reported to the Headteacher immediately.
If the concern relates to the Headteacher, it should be reported through the appropriate GLF Schools safeguarding and governance route, as set out in the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
The school follows statutory procedures for managing allegations and concerns about adults working with children and will seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where appropriate.
Worried about something but not sure whether it is safeguarding?
Tell us anyway.
Children and adults do not need to decide whether something meets a particular safeguarding threshold before sharing it with us.
The Safeguarding Team will consider the information and determine what action or support is needed.
Early help can prevent difficulties becoming more serious.
Independent help and support
Childline
Free, confidential help and support for children and young people.
NSPCC
Advice for adults who are worried about a child.
Croydon Children’s Services
For concerns about the safety or welfare of a child in Croydon.
020 8255 2888 – Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays
Croydon Emergency Duty Team: 020 8726 6400 – option 5
Emergency
If a child is in immediate danger:
Call 999
Safeguarding policies and guidance
Our safeguarding arrangements are underpinned by statutory guidance and school and trust policies.
GLF Safeguarding Team
Gaby O’Meara is the Safeguarding Trustee for GLF Schools: go'meara1@glfschools.org
Fiona Jarman is the Multi Academy Trust Designated Safeguarding Lead (MAT DSL) for GLF Schools.
At GLF Schools we have a Strategic Safeguarding team who:
● Support each individual school’s safeguarding team
● Audit and monitor the consistent delivery of statutory safeguarding responsibilities and the GLF Child Protection and Safeguarding policy
● Provide training, advice and updates to ensure effective practice
Our commitment
Meridian High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, volunteers and members of our school community to share this commitment.
If you are worried about a child, say something.
You do not need to be certain before asking for help.
Key Documents
