What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting children and preventing harm. At Cambourne Village College, we aim to provide a safe, welcoming environment where every child is respected, valued and supported.
We follow local and national safeguarding procedures and are always alert to signs of abuse or neglect. When concerns arise, we act quickly to ensure pupils receive the right help and protection.
How safeguarding works
- Staff must, by law, pass on any concerns about a child’s welfare, including risks of neglect or physical, emotional or sexual harm.
- We usually discuss concerns with parents/carers, but if a child may be at risk, we may seek advice from other agencies without informing families first.
- Information is shared securely and sensitively, and only when necessary to keep a child safe.
- The Data Protection Act 2018 allows professionals to share information without consent if gaining consent is not possible, reasonable, or would place a child at risk.
- Our safeguarding team consults Social Care whenever there is reasonable cause to suspect significant harm.
- Occasionally concerns prove unfounded; however, staff always act in line with the law and in the best interests of children.
- In rare cases, the school may need to hold a child on site while Social Care or Police assess immediate concerns.
- Vigilant staff – all staff notice small changes, listen carefully and act on concerns.
- Designated Safeguarding Team – a trained team responds to concerns raised by staff, pupils, parents and external agencies. See the document of the left of this page for the Safeguarding team.
- Pupil voice – pupils can speak to staff or use the Report a Concern button on their iPad.
- We prioritise strong, positive relationships so pupils feel safe to talk and families feel supported.
If you have concerns about your child or need support, email: cam-safeguarding@cambournevc.org
The safeguarding inbox is not monitored during school holidays.
If you live in Cambridgeshire and have an urgent safeguarding concern:
- Children’s Social Care (office hours): 0345 045 5203
- Out of hours: 01733 234 724
If you live outside Cambridgeshire, please contact your local MASH (Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Hub).
If a child is at immediate risk, call 999.
Professionals contacting the school will receive a response when staff return.
Chris Boother (SSPO 477) works across secondary schools in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. His role is to safeguard young people and help them avoid criminality through education, guidance and early support.
He:
- Provides advice on issues such as drugs, knife crime, cybercrime and sexual offences
- Is on site every Thursday
- Works closely with school leaders and the Sixth Form
- Acts as a trusted, approachable link between pupils, staff, families and the police
- Supports referrals and receives reports of criminal concerns in school
To contact him: saferschools@cambournevc.org