Raising Concerns & Complaints
At Belmont Park School , safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do.
We are committed to creating a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where every student feels valued, protected, and empowered to thrive. As a specialist SEMH setting, we understand the complex challenges our young people face, and we work tirelessly to safeguard their wellbeing — emotionally, socially, and physically.
All staff at our school receive regular training in safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and contextual safeguarding. We work in close partnership with families, carers, local services, and external agencies to ensure that every student is kept safe, listened to, and supported to overcome barriers.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility — and we are here to help.
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting children from abuse, harm, and neglect. It also includes:
• Promoting children’s health and wellbeing
• Supporting mental health and emotional resilience
• Recognising signs of exploitation or risk in the wider community (contextual safeguarding)
• Ensuring students feel safe in school, at home, and online
If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Abedah Karim – dsl@belmontpark.waltham.sch.uk – 0208 556 0006
Deputy DSLs: Rohan Cummings, Karim Miah, Cristalina Fernandes-Bates
However, if you feel your concern is an emergency, then please contact 999.
Support for Parents, Carers and Young People
We know that navigating safeguarding and mental health concerns can be difficult, but you’re not alone. Below are trusted websites and organisations offering advice, support, and guidance:
Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
• YoungMinds
Support for young people’s mental health, plus advice for parents.
• Mind – For Young People
Mental health support, coping strategies, and advice.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people
• Kooth
Free, safe, and anonymous online counselling for young people.
Online Safety
• ThinkUKnow (by CEOP)
Advice on staying safe online for young people, parents and carers.
• Internet Matters
Practical tips to help keep children safe online.
https://www.internetmatters.org
• NSPCC Online Safety Hub
Information about online risks and how to manage them.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety
Contextual Safeguarding & Exploitation
• The Children’s Society – Exploitation
Help and information about child exploitation and grooming.
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk
• Fearless (by Crimestoppers)
A site where young people can report concerns anonymously.
• PACE (Parents Against Child Exploitation)
Support for parents and carers dealing with child exploitation.
Useful Contacts
• NSPCC Helpline – 0808 800 5000 – https://www.nspcc.org.uk
• Childline – 0800 1111 – https://www.childline.org.uk
• Samaritans – 116 123 – https://www.samaritans.org
• CEOP (Report Harm Online) – https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
We have also attached our Complaints Procedure for your information.
Alternatively, you can contact The Special Educational Needs Disability Information & Advice Support Service provided by Waltham Forest Citizen's Advice Office who offer a confidential listening and support service.
Their contact details are as follows:
Tel 07494280073
E-mail sendiasswalthamf@centre404.org.uk
Website www.walthamforestsendiass.org.uk/
Working Together to Keep Every Child Safe
Safeguarding is not just a policy — it’s a commitment we live every day. If you have any concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Together, we can ensure that every young person in our school community feels safe, heard, and supported.
Safeguarding Policies
We review our Safeguarding Suite of Policies regularly to ensure compliance with current guidance and cascaded out to staff and governors.
Our safeguarding policies are listed on this page for your information.
We have also provided parents/carers with safeguarding information within the Parents & Carers section of this website so that they are also empowered.
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See attached for Safeguarding Policy.
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See attached for Staff Grievance Procedures.
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See attached for Medical Needs Policy.
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See attached for Whistle Blowing Policy.
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See attached for Positive Handling Policy.
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See attached for Complaints Policy.
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See attache for Data Infringement Policy.
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See attached for Anti-bullying Policy.
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As part of our ongoing holistic approach to safeguarding pupils against any threat to their health, safety and wellbeing, we support the teaching of Traditional British Values at Belmont Park School. We also work closely with partner agencies to promote the safety of our community.
Working with the Local Authority, we have made sure that we have clear procedures in place to address any concerns that we may have about potential radicalisation or extremist views.
Our Anti-Radicalisation & Extremism statement sets out our beliefs, strategies and procedures we have adopted to protect pupils from being radicalised or exposed to extremism. Our Teaching Traditional British Values statement outlines how we aim to effectively address this area within school.