Safeguarding procedures

All staff working in school (including teachers, office staff, governors and facilities team) are fully trained on ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026’ and ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026’.

We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for both sites , a number of deputy DSLs and a trained social worker based at the main site. 

Concerns are taken very seriously, and we follow all procedures and policies thoroughly. Please see our safeguarding policy and our e-safety policy in the policies. 

Students can also contact pastoral staff on a dedicated email address at school, and are reminded of contacts for support in and out of school regularly, and these are listed in the student planners. 

We support many students with targeted support through ELSA, Early Help, family Support as well as robust risk assessments and wellbeing plans for individual children and young people which are produced with parents and any other agencies involved. 

Safeguarding always is the top priority at Cobham Free School and this is addressed through a whole school system that fully utilises and draws together different aspects of school life. This includes effective pastoral support, behaviour/relationships policy with appropriate sanctions, and a carefully planned relationships, sex and health education curriculum that covers issues of consent. 

We ensure that safeguarding and child protection are at the forefront of, and underpin all relevant aspects of, process and policy development. 

Children's concerns are always taken seriously, and they know they can safely express their views and give feedback.

We have a designated off-site visits coordinator and robust risk assessment procedures. View our Safeguarding Policy in Policies for further information

Child Protection and Safeguarding Leads

The designated Staff for Child Protection are Mrs L Newman, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who works with a team of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads:  

Mrs Becky Hodgetts (Lower Juniors)

Mrs Granander and Mrs Kammerling (Upper Juniors)

Mrs Basu, Mrs Short, Mrs Ladkin and Mrs Razey (Seniors)

Mrs Johnson (Sixth Form)

These people can be contacted on dsl@cobhamfreeschool.org.uk if you or your child ever have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of others in school.

If you have a child protection or safeguarding concern outside of the school term times, please contact the Surrey Children’s Single Point of Access (C-SPA)

Availability: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

• Phone: 0300 470 9100
• Out of hours phone: 01483 517898 to speak to the emergency duty team.
• Email: emails are dealt with during normal office hours.
• For concerns for a child or young person: cspa@surreycc.gov.uk

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Support

Cobham Free School is committed to supporting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of all our children in school.  As well as the support offered by our Pastoral Care Team – see Pastoral Care pages – our pastoral is a group of adults who can offer support for individuals or small groups of students through targeted emotional wellbeing sessions or referring for mental health support interventions.

We also have a Mental Health Schools Team onsite from Mindworks, who offer targeted interventions at school or at home. We also have emotional support sessions from East to West, and the Matthew Hackney Foundation. Should you have any concerns about your child’s mental health or wellbeing please contact their Form Tutor or Year Group Leader in the first instance.

The pastoral team is made up of Mrs Newman (DSL), Mrs Short (Mental health lead), the Year Groups leaders, the Head of Key Stages, deputy designated safeguarding leads, SENDCOs and ELSAs.

Safeguarding Support

Please note, in an emergency you must call 999/111 or visit A&E. 

For free Emotional and Mental Health Crisis support and advice for children, young people and parents, open 24/7, please call the Surrey Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 915 4644

Additional support

Online safety for children and young people

• ThinkUKnow - Age related advice to online safety

• NSPCC - Online Safety and mobile safety advice

• Childnet Hub - Aimed at children aged 11-18, find top tips

• Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) - CEOP is a law enforcement agency working to help keep children and young people safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. They are able to give you advice, and you can make a report directly to them if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried.

• Childline - Free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, there for you online, on the phone, anytime.

Online safety for parents and carers

• Childnet International - Website providing a wealth of advice and resources on how to keep your child safe online so they can take advantage of the positive opportunities the internet brings. Parents and Carers Toolkit takes account of the government’s Online Safety Policy and includes guidance and resources for parents and carers together with a Family Agreement for internet use.

• ThinkUKnow - Parent section of this website has lots of useful ways you can help your child stay safe online, as well as advice on the use of mobiles and social media.

• NSPCC Online Safety - Advice for parents on online issues from setting up parental controls to advice on sexting, online games and video apps.

• Parent Zone - Provide support and information to parents, children and schools, working globally to help families to navigate the internet safely and confidently.

• Parent Info - Parent Info provides support and advice to parents, with contributions from the leading experts and organisations in matters related to young people and families in a digital world.

• Educate Against Hate - Info on protecting young people from radicalisation and extremism.

• UK Council for Internet Safety - A comprehensive resource related to all aspects of online safety.

• Get Safe Online - Source of unbiased, factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety.