Safeguarding & Child Protection
EdStart Schools is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and underpins all aspects of our work across every EdStart site.
Our safeguarding arrangements are robust, transparent and compliant with statutory guidance and are applied consistently across our multi-site provision.
Our Safeguarding Framework
Safeguarding at EdStart Schools is carried out in accordance with:
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025/26
- The Independent School Standards (Part 3 and Part 6)
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Local Authority safeguarding procedures
All staff receive regular safeguarding and child protection training and understand their duty to act on concerns immediately.
Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)
Each EdStart Schools site has a named Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), supported by trust-wide safeguarding leadership to ensure effective oversight, consistency and escalation.
Site-Based Designated Safeguarding Leads
Salford Registration
Salford
Simon Spencer
📧simon.spencer@edstartschools.com
Bury
John Gorner
📧john.gorner@edstartschools.com
Manchester – Northern Moor
Louise Kirwin
📧louise.kirwin@edstartschools.com
Wirral Registration
Wirral
Stephen McNulty
📧stephen.mcnulty@edstasrtschools.com
Oldham Registration
Oldham
Luke Willis
📧luke.willis@edstasrtschools.com
Bolton Registration
Bolton – Castlehill
Carla Willis
📧carla.willis@edstartschools.com
Bolton – Horwich
Jessica Holt
📧jessica.holt@edstartschools.com
Bolton – Manchester Road
Melanie Gee
📧melanie.gee@edstartschools.com
Trust-Wide Designated Safeguarding Leads
The following Trust-Wide DSLs provide strategic safeguarding oversight, quality assurance and escalation support across all EdStart Schools sites:
- Kevin Buchanan – kevin.buchanan@edstartschools.com
- Jayne Szpunar – jayne.szpunar@edstartschools.com
- James Bradley – james.bradley@edstartschools.com
- Samantha Jordison – samantha.jordison@edstartschools.com
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child:
- Contact the site DSL immediately
- Or contact a Trust-Wide DSL
- Or email safeguarding@edstartschools.com
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Contacts
Concerns or allegations regarding the conduct of an adult working with children must be referred to the appropriate Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). This will normally be done by the DSL.
LADO Contact Links
Salford LA –
https://safeguardingchildren.salford.gov.uk/professionals/managing-allegations-against-adults-who-work-with-children/
Bolton LA –
https://www.boltonsafeguardingchildren.org.uk/managing-allegations
Oldham LA –
https://www.olscb.org/professionals/lado/
Manchester LA –
https://www.manchestersafeguardingpartnership.co.uk/allegations-against-professionals-lado/
Wigan LA –
https://wigansafeguardingchildren.co.uk/professional-zone/lado
Lancashire LA –
https://lancashiresafeguardingpartnership.org.uk/p/safeguarding-children/lado-concerns-about-professionals
Wirral LA –
https://www.wirralsafeguarding.co.uk/professionals/lado-allegations/
Cheshire West and Chester LA –
https://cheshirewestscp.uk/p/policies-and-procedures/allegations-management-lado
Whistleblowing
NSPCC
Allegations Against Adults
Any allegation against a member of staff, volunteer or adult working at EdStart Schools will be managed in line with KCSIE 2025/26 and Local Authority procedures.
- Immediate action will be taken to safeguard children
- The relevant LADO will be consulted
- Confidentiality and due process will be maintained at all times
KCSIE 2025/26 Quality Assurance Statement
This Safeguarding & Child Protection page has been reviewed and quality assured against:
- Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025/26
- Part One – Safeguarding information for all staff
- Part Two – Management of safeguarding
- Part Three – Safer recruitment
- Part Four – Allegations against staff
- Independent School Standards (ISS) Parts 3 & 6
Last reviewed: September 2025
Next review: September 2026 (or sooner if guidance changes)
Parent and Community Support and Links
Please do contact school if you require any further information around our policies and procedures.
We support our pupils via our strong curriculum offer, pastoral approaches and home-school communication we will review these personal targets and curriculum learning in the review days you will be invited to each term.
We can also support you with advice and guidance around digital safety, child and young people well-being and mantal health, reducing risk taking behaviours, relationship education and managing behaviours. We see our positive enrichment and aspirations and post 16 programmes as being key to good safeguarding choices and environments do contact your local head of school to find out more.
Some useful websites and information can be found below;
NSPCC
Advice for Families Sub-Section
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-families/
CEOP
https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/
Child Net
https://www.childnet.com/resources/parent-and-carer-toolkit/
Common Sense Media
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Internet Matters