Everyone who works with children and young people has a responsibility to ensure they receive the right support at the right time. 

At Christ’s College, we see our students as infinitely precious and take our role in safeguarding extremely seriously. Our staff are committed to protecting students from harm and maintaining a ‘culture of vigilance’. All staff are trained to recognise the signs and indicators of abuse. 

We prioritise the viewpoints and voices of our students, listening to their wishes, thoughts, and feelings, and identifying and supporting their needs. We strive to develop trusting, consistent, and professional relationships with our students. By advocating for early intervention, we aim to identify and address any difficulties or concerns promptly, acting preventatively whenever possible. We provide ongoing support and advice for families and parents/carers while always prioritising the best interests of the student. Safeguarding also involves adhering to safe working practices and ensuring a secure learning environment for both students and staff. 

Safeguarding legislation and government guidance define safeguarding as: 

• Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment 

• Preventing harm to children’s health or development 

• Ensuring children grow up with safe and effective care 

• Taking action to enable all children and young people to achieve the best outcomes 

Child protection is a crucial aspect of safeguarding, focusing on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures detailing how to respond to concerns about a child. 

Schools play an essential role in protecting children from abuse, as they have regular contact with children and young people and are well-positioned to identify signs of abuse and neglect. 

Christ’s College will safeguard children and young people by: 

• Creating safe environments through robust safeguarding practices 

• Ensuring that adults who work at the College, including volunteers, pose no risk to children 

• Keeping staff trained and up-to-date with policies and practices 

• Teaching children and young people about staying safe 

• Maintaining an environment where students feel confident approaching any staff member with worries or problems 

We are an Operation Encompass College, a programme designed to safeguard and support children and young people affected by domestic abuse. 

Christ’s College collaborates closely with all agencies to ensure the safety of our students. If you need help or support for yourself, a family member, or a friend, please contact the following services: 

• Together for Children: Works on behalf of Sunderland City Council to deliver children’s services in Sunderland. 

• NSPCC: Offers extensive information for parents on keeping children safe online. 

• Childline: Provides information on domestic abuse, safety planning, and obtaining help. 

• Wear Recovery: A support service for people addicted to alcohol and other substances, with self-referrals available. 

For more information on keeping your child safe online, please visit: 

• Childnet 

• Safer Internet 

• Thinkuknow 

If you have any concerns related to safeguarding or child protection, please contact the Safeguarding Team at Christ’s College. 

Telephone: 0191 534 4444 

Email: enquiries@christscollege.org.uk