Safeguarding at The Upper Nidderdale Primary Federation is everyone’s responsibility.
We are committed to providing our pupils with a safe, caring and inclusive environment where they feel happy and supported. We work closely with parents to ensure that everyone has the information they need to keep our young people safe.
Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a student MUST report it to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mrs Wilkinson), or if she is not available, one of the other members of the Safeguarding Team, as soon as possible by calling 01423 711440/711407. The Team is made up of our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Nicola Wilkinson) who holds lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, including online safety, and the deputy safeguarding leads who are trained to the same standard and work as a team to ensure safeguarding remains a priority throughout the Federation. The Safeguarding Team work under the governance of the Safeguarding Governors, Marianne Tharby and Amanda Simmons.
Safeguarding News
Previous Newsletters
Other non-urgent concerns can be emailed to dsl@uppernidderdalefed.school
If you have a concern at times when staff cannot be contacted then please use this webpage to raise you concerns: NYSCP
We acknowledge that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and all our staff are trained to be vigilant and aware of the signs and indicators of abuse.
As Rights Resecting Schools, our pupil’s voices are of paramount importance to our schools, and we will always listen to their thoughts and feelings, as well as identifying and supporting their needs. We will work alongside pupils to develop trusting, consistent and professional relationships.
We use the Early Help process and, where possible, we will identify any difficulties or concerns early to act preventatively. We will always provide support and advice for families and parents/carers, whilst always acting in the best interests of the pupil. Safeguarding also includes ensuring we follow safe working practices and provide a secure learning environment for our pupils and staff.
The Upper Nidderdale Primary Federation safeguards pupils by:
- Maintaining secure sites and ensuring that all visitors are expected, identified, recorded and monitored.
- Ensuring that safer recruitment practices are followed to prevent those who pose a risk to children gaining access to our students.
- Ensuring that all students understand the importance of e-safety, both at school and at home.
- Filtering and monitoring all internet traffic into the school to ensure that students cannot be exposed to harmful material and communication.
- Ensuring that all staff employed by the school have received Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance which is recorded in the Single Central Record.
- Providing regular training and briefings for all staff in child protection and ensuring that all staff, pupils and visitors know who our designated safeguarding leads are.
- Ensuring that admission and attendance procedures are robust to protect pupils, ensure that they are safe and prevent pupils from going missing from education.
- Empowering pupils to identify risks both within The Federation and in their community; ensuring that they have the skills and confidence to protect themselves and others.
- Making sure that all pupils understand the importance of disclosing concerns about themselves and peers; and giving them the confidence to discuss sensitive issues.
- Providing pastoral support to ensure that all students have access to guidance and advice, and when needed, referrals for additional agency support to meet their needs.
- Sharing information with other agencies and services to ensure that pupils and their families have support to meet their needs and prevent children from harm.
- Delivering a high quality, robust curriculum to ensure that all pupils are aware of risks, how to access support, and how to keep themselves safe.
If you have concerns about an adult working with a child, then we would ask that you follow our complaints policy . You are also able to contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who plays a crucial role in safeguarding children by overseeing and managing allegations against adults working with children. The LADO ensures that concerns are addressed promptly, fairly, and consistently, working in close partnership with schools, settings, and agencies to uphold the highest standards of child protection. Information on how to contact the LADO can be found here: NYSCP
Please click here for our 'Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy'
Please click here for the latest guidance on 'Sharing nudes and semi nudes' from the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS)
Please click here for the most up to date version of 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'.
Please click here for the most up to date version of 'Working Together to safeguard Children
Please click here for our staff Code of Conduct. We adopt the Safer Recruitment Consortium documentation
Please click here for our 'Online Safety Policy'.
Operation Encompass - We are now part of Operation Encompass.
Operation Encompass is a police and school early intervention safeguarding information sharing partnership, which supports children experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
For more information, click here
Prevent Strategy
The Prevent Duty is part of the UK’s counter‑terrorism strategy that requires schools to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism." Protecting children from extremism is treated as a safeguarding duty.
We promote Fundamental British Values, helping pupils to respect different beliefs, understand right from wrong, and develop tolerance and inclusion.
Staff are trained to spot signs that a child may be vulnerable to radicalisation, including changes in behaviour, isolation, or concerning views influenced by others.
We work with local safeguarding teams, police Prevent partners, and other agencies to monitor risks and protect pupils.
If a child is at risk of radicalisation, concerns are reported to the PREVENT Lead, Mrs Fearnley, who may consult with Prevent professionals and refer to Channel if needed.
Please then add in the existing links on the Prevent Strategy section of the original page, i.e:
Please click here for a link to the official government document.
Please click here for our 'Prevent Duty Policy'.
Please click here to view the Upper Nidderdale Prevent Risk Assessment (XLS)
Please click here to view the PREVENT Self Assessment
Parent Wellbeing
At the heart of everything we do is our vision: Believe, Achieve, Inspire.
We believe in nurturing a culture where wellbeing is important. When we feel supported, safe and valued, we’re empowered to achieve our best. Through our achievements, we inspire one another.
At our school, your children’s wellbeing is always a top priority — but we also care deeply about your wellbeing as parents and carers. Parenting is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be one of the most stressful and ever‑changing roles you’ll face. You don’t have to navigate it alone.
We want you to know that support is available, both within school and in the wider community. This could be as simple as joining us for a cuppa and a chat, or, if you prefer, we can offer a more structured assessment of needs to help identify what support might benefit you and your family. From there, we can signpost you to a range of services designed to help.
Many of these services are listed on our school Padlet, which you can access here:
Upper Nidderdale Federation Parent Support information
💛We’re here for you 💛 please don’t hesitate to get in touch at any time: familysupportworker@uppernidderdalefed.school
Useful websites:
Childline | Free counselling service for kids and young people | Childline
Support & advice for families | NSPCC
