Safeguarding at Porter Croft
Safeguarding
Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility and it is central to all of our work. We are proud of how we safeguard our children and we prioritise training and development for all staff so all are vigilant and knowledgeable about needs. We talk about safety with our children to ensure they understand the safeguarding issues they face in the community. We want all children and young people to be safe, feel secure, well cared for and able to reach their full potential.
Safeguarding children & pastoral care is seen as a priority at Porter Croft Academy and is an extremely important part of our core values in which we provide a caring and supportive environment where children can be completely safe.
Anyone who visits our school comments on the kind and supportive atmosphere, the respect that our pupils have for each as well as the excellent rapport between adult and pupil. We also put a very high priority on keeping our site safe for all users.
Whilst much appreciating the amazing scope that ICT brings to our learning, we place a high priority on educating our children about the e-safety & focus on this regularly & particularly as part of our Online Safety Day in February each year. We also have an annual workshop led by our Online Safety Subject Leader, Mr Rowe.
Porter Croft has adopted the Sheffield Safeguarding Board Policies in its role for Safeguarding/Child Protection.
Sheffield Safeguarding Board Procedures
We support our families to access Early Help support when needed. We work closely with the Family Intervention Service (Previously called MAST)
Parents and families can also access information about Early Help Services in Sheffield by clicking on this link:
CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY 2024 TO 2025
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN EDUCATION 2025
HOW WE SAFEGUARD CHILDREN IN OUR SETTING
Key People with responsibility for Safeguarding at Porter Croft:
The Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Thomas (Headteacher)
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Mrs Long (Learning Mentor)
The School Governor of Safeguarding: Miss C Dawson
Safeguarding Information for Parents
Out of Hours Help:
As part of our Safeguarding Policy, we want to ensure that all parents and carers know who to contact out of school hours if they have a concern about a child’s safety at home or in the community.
Sheffield Safeguarding Children Board run an out of hours service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you do have a concern, then you would need to have the information about where the child or young person normally lives so that you can speak to the correct area team. If you cannot provide this information, then you should still call & any team will respond to your enquiry in the first instance. For our area Out of Hours Team (5:15 pm and 8:45am) please ring 0114 273 4855 or 0114 2734491.
Our safeguarding Policies
At Porter Croft we are proud to be making the White Ribbon Promise
About White Ribbon UK
White Ribbon UK is part of the global White Ribbon movement—the world’s largest initiative engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls. Through education, awareness, and community action, White Ribbon UK works to change the attitudes, behaviours, and systems that perpetuate gender-based violence.
At the heart of the organisation is a simple but powerful message:
Men can make a difference.
White Ribbon UK strives to:
• Prevent violence against women and girls before it starts
• Promote healthy, respectful relationships
• Challenge harmful attitudes, stereotypes, and behaviours
• Support organisations to create safer, more equitable cultures
Rather than responding after harm has occurred, the focus is on primary prevention—tackling root causes and driving long-term cultural change.
The White Ribbon Promise
Supporters are encouraged to make the White Ribbon Promise:
To never commit, excuse, or remain silent about violence against women and girls.
By making the Promise, individuals publicly commit to being part of the solution—challenging inappropriate behaviour, speaking up against sexism, and modelling respect in their communities.
Accreditation & Partnerships
White Ribbon UK partners with workplaces, schools, local authorities, and community organisations to create meaningful change. Through its accreditation programme, organisations receive guidance, training, and resources to:
• Develop policies that promote gender equality
• Equip staff and leaders to challenge harmful behaviour
• Foster safe and inclusive environments
• Demonstrate leadership in preventing violence
• Accredited organisations signal a clear commitment to cultural change—not just compliance.
Why It Matters
Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread human rights issues globally. Preventing it requires collective action—especially from men, who play a critical role in challenging harmful norms and behaviours.
White Ribbon UK believes change is possible when individuals take responsibility, organisations show leadership, and communities work together.
Together, we can create a future where women and girls live free from fear, violence, and inequality.