Child Protection Officer: Mr Campbell Caldwell, Depute Head Teacher
Willowbank School is committed to ensuring that every child and young person is safe, respected and protected from harm. Safeguarding is fundamental to our ethos and underpins all aspects of school life.
All children have the right to grow up in an environment where their safety, wellbeing and dignity are protected. Protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and requires vigilance, compassion and professional judgement from all adults who work with children and families.
Safeguarding practice in Willowbank School reflects the principles of Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the commitment of Scotland’s services to keep children safe through partnership working and early intervention. National guidance emphasises that protecting children is everyone’s responsibility and that agencies must work together to prevent harm and respond effectively when concerns arise.
This policy sits within the framework of the Pan-Ayrshire Child Protection Practitioner Procedures, which set out how agencies work together to respond to child protection concerns and protect children from abuse or neglect.
Within East Ayrshire Council, the responsibilities of educational establishments are further described in Standard Circular 57, which outlines the duty of all education staff to observe, record, report and cooperate with partner agencies when concerns about a child arise.
Willowbank School recognises that safeguarding is not limited to responding to concerns. It includes creating a safe culture, building trusting relationships, promoting wellbeing and ensuring children have adults they can turn to for help.
