Safeguarding
The safety of our students is paramount. At Uffculme School we take our duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children extremely seriously.
We follow all statutory guidelines as well as our own policies and procedures. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be viewed here (or on our Policies page of the website) and we would be happy to provide a paper copy on request.
We will always act to protect a child where there is a disclosure or concern about child abuse. Child abuse can take a range of different forms. It is any action by another person (adult or child) that causes harm to a child. It can be defined as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.
More information about child protection and safeguarding can be found on the Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership website.
Safeguarding Team
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Chris Lepper – Deputy Headteacher (lepperc@uffculmeschool.bep.ac).
Chris is the Designated Safeguarding Lead as well as the Designated Officer for Child Exploitation, and also for Radicalisation
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
Julie Parkhouse – Student Welfare Manager (parkhousej@uffculmeschool.bep.ac)
Laura Jenkins – Headteacher (jenkinsl@uffculmeschool.bep.ac)
Katie Francombe – Assistant Headteacher (francombek@uffculmeschool.bep.ac)
Kasia Dobbinson – Assistant Headteacher, SENDCo & Inclusion (dobbinsonk@uffculmeschool.bep.ac)
Stephanie Hammond – Student Welfare Officer (hammonds@uffculmeschool.bep.ac)
Lyndsey Poortman – Assistant Headteacher (poortmanl@uffculmeschool.bep.ac)
Kate Reed – Head of Personal Development
Rosemary Alford - Pupil Secretary (alfordr@uffculmeschool.bep.ac)
Safeguarding Governor
The Designated Safeguarding Governor is Mr Fraser Wallace
Reporting A Concern
If you have a concern which involves the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, please contact Mr Chris Lepper during school hours on either:
Phone: 01884 840458
Email: lepperc@uffculmeschool.bep.ac
If the concern is serious and outside of school hours, please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on
Phone: 0345 155 1071
(Mon-Thurs 9-5, Fri 9-4)
If outside these hours, contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0345 6000 388
Click here to download an information sheet – Reporting a Concern
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
MASH is a partnership between Devon County Council children’s social care, education and youth services; Devon NHS health services; Devon and Cornwall Police; and the Probation Service working together to safeguard children and young people.
When a professional, family member or member of the public is concerned about a child or young person’s safety, they can contact MASH. They deal with all enquiries/referrals where there is a child protection concern. You can find out more about what the organisation does and how to contact them in the MASH Information sheet below.
If you have serious concerns about a child or young person, or if you need help parenting your child, you can call 0345 155 1071 or email: mashsecure@devon.gcsx.gov.uk
Managing allegations against adults working with children or young people
Local Area Designated Officers (LADO) provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations that have concerns about a person working or volunteering with children and young people who may have behaved inappropriately or if information has been received that may constitute an allegation.
If you consider a LADO referral is needed:
Gather the relevant information: the name, date of birth and home address of the ADULT connected to the allegation/incident; the child/children’s details (LADO procedures cannot begin without this information)
It is advisable that you initially discuss the details with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Chris Lepper – lepperc@uffculmeschool.net) and record/log the details in your relevant records
They will also need your name, your organisation’s address and the role you have in your organisation
Once you have this information, call Exeter (01392) 384964
For more information please visit the Local Area Designated Officers website.
Click here to download an information sheet: Managing Allegations against at Adult
Safeguarding Advice and Support
Further general safeguarding information is available through the Uffculme Academy Trust’s Safeguarding website that you can access here.
We also have dedicated information pages on our own website for each of the following areas, just click on the appropriate link: