child protection
& safeguarding
At Avanti House, we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure students receive effective support, protection, and justice.
Our Safeguarding Team
If you have concerns over a child’s safety, it is your responsibility to inform the designated teacher immediately.
All concerns are taken seriously and confidentially on a need-to-know basis.
Mr Remi Moynihan
DSL for Avanti House Secondary
Ms Paula Soiza
Deputy DSL for Avanti House Secondary
Ms Sajana Kabaria
SSC Member for Safeguarding
Out of Hours
If your concern is urgent and requires immediate attention, especially outside of school hours, contact the appropriate authorities.
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Social Care & Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub: ‘Golden Number’: 0208 901 2690 Emergency Duty Team: 020 8424 0999 weekends, bank holidays and between 5pm-9am during the week: 020 8901 2690
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Police: 101 or for immediate emergency: 999
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A mandatory reporting duty for FGM requires regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report known cases of FGM in under 18-year-olds to the police. FGM: Police on 101
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Local Authority Designated Officer for Allegations against staff (LADO): Initial referrals via MASH/Golden Number above. For ongoing cases:
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Harrow: Ms Rosalind South, Rosalind.south@harrow.gov.uk, 07871 987 254
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Brent: Ms Mona Cook, Mona.Cook@brent.gov.uk, 0208 937 2057, Ms Cecilia Gabriel, cecilia.gabriel@brent.gov.uk, 0208 937 4593, 07826 549 777
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Hillingdon: Ms Hannah Ives, hives@hillingdon.gov.uk, 01895 250975
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Whistleblowing
The Avanti Schools Trust Policy can be found here.
The NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line can be reached at 0808 800 5000 and is available 8.00am – 10.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am – 6.00pm at the weekend. You can also email help@NSPCC.org.uk at any time. It’s free and reporting can be anonymous.
More Information can be found here.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is a command of the National Crime Agency. CEOP work to protect children from harm online and offline, directly through National Crime Agency led operations and in partnership with local and international agencies. They offer advice to parents and carers.
If you are concerned about your child’s activities online, you can contact CEOP here.
CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to CEOP, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the link above.
For immediate concerns please call 0191 421 2244 or 0191 607 8063
Encompass
Operation Encompass is a scheme by which police inform the child’s school soon after a domestic abuse incident occurring within the family. Children can be significantly physically or emotionally harmed when this is the case and the information received will be used to make sure the right support is available for children and their families. This will usually happen by the start of the next school day.
Operation Encompass will ensure that a specially trained member of the school staff, known as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), is informed. The DSL can then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to ensure the wellbeing of the child.
The school will be able to make provisions or adjustments to assist for any difficulties experienced by the child or the families involved.
We are committed to offering the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this scheme is extremely beneficial for all involved.