Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

At Cardrew Court, safeguarding is the golden thread through everything we do. Staff know and understand their safeguarding responsibilities, with all staff following Cornwall Children's Partnership procedures and the school safeguarding ethos of; ever in doubt, speak out / if you see something, say something.

"Cardew Court School presents as a specialist provision with a strong relational safeguarding culture. Leaders and staff demonstrated openness, professionalism and a clear commitment to safeguarding during the visit. Safeguarding is understood as a core responsibility across the school rather than a discrete function. Safeguarding leadership is highly visible."

LA Safeguarding Review March 2026

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As such we work hard to create a culture in which staff, pupils, parents, and trustees feel able to articulate concerns comfortably; safe in the knowledge that effective, appropriate action will be taken.

When there are concerns about a child’s welfare, we must share information and work in partnership with other agencies. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that doing this would harm the child's welfare.

Policies and Procedures

We ensure all policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding children are up-to-date and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025. Policies and procedures are reviewed and revised by the Senior Leadership Team regularly. 

Board of Governors and Trustees Responsibilities

The Trustees at Cardrew Court School have oversight of all Safeguarding matters. Cardrew Court School is associated with the Cornwall DSL Network. Any issues related to safeguarding children will be discussed with the associated partners of this network such as the MARU (Multi Agency Referral Unit) LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) Police as required.

"Governance arrangements, while not statutory, are taken seriously and demonstrate a developing safeguarding focus. The safeguarding governor is engaged, knowledgeable and able to articulate priority areas for strengthening oversight."

LA Safeguarding Review March 2026

Disclosure & Barring Checks

Cardrew Court School meets statutory requirements in relation to Disclosure & Barring Service – all staff and volunteers who work at CCS are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check prior to employment.

Safeguarding Leads

Designated Safeguarding Leads have ultimate responsibility for safeguarding issues.  The DSL’s are clear about their role, have sufficient time, and receive relevant support and training, to undertake their role, which includes close contact with outside agencies including social services, the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and relevant health care organisations as well as the MARU and LADO.

"Weekly safeguarding meetings are held and form a central forum for triangulating safeguarding, attendance and behaviour information, ensuring that emerging concerns are viewed within the wider context of pupil wellbeing and engagement."

LA Safeguarding Review March 2026

Training

All staff and volunteers are required to undertake relevant and regular safeguarding training and this is regularly reviewed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure it is up-to-date. A training database for all staff and volunteers is maintained, while training needs are reviewed as part of individual performance. All staff undertake a safeguarding induction when starting at Cardrew Court School and are required to read all associated safeguarding policies.

"To the school’s credit, developing systems, shared processes and a growing collective understanding of safeguarding responsibilities are increasingly well embedded. These arrangements provide emerging resilience beyond any one individual and reflect thoughtful, reflective leadership, particularly within an expanding specialist provision."

LA Safeguarding Review March 2026

Audit

Cardrew Court School has robust audit checklists to ensure that safeguarding systems and processes are working. This includes the monitoring of the Single Central Record, Child Protection Policies and Procedures including, Allegations against Professionals, and the monitoring of training for all employees and volunteers, including guidance and support.

We also engage with Cornwall LA taking part in external safeguarding reviews. Please see our latest report attached.

 

"Pupils spoken to during the visit reported feeling safe in school and were able to identify trusted adults. Bullying was reported as non-existent, and pupils expressed confidence that concerns would be addressed appropriately if raised. Several pupils were able to describe not only who they would speak to if worried, but also conveyed confidence that concerns would be taken seriously and acted upon, indicating trust in both staff and safeguarding processes. This aligns with pupil voice activity and parental feedback."

LA Safeguarding Review March 2026