Barnhill Community High School

Safeguarding

Barnhill is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, staff and visitors. We promote an environment where students and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns which they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.

What is the role of DSL/DDSL at Barnhill?

The Dedicated Safeguarding Lead, Ms Hernandez (DSL) has a crucial role in taking lead responsibility for child protection issues in school. DSL’s must be senior members of the schools leadership team and at Barnhill we have a Deputy DSL supporting the DSL, Miss Snaith. There are many other staff also trained to the same level in school such as PSM’s and Heads of Year.

A DSL is always available during school hours for staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns. There is a DSL on school site from 8am to 4pm every day.

DSL’s are trained to take on this role and that training is updated every two years with additional training and conferences in between.

The DSL has many responsibilities including working with staff and agencies involved with safeguarding children, working with parents and families, giving advice to staff, training staff, managing referrals from staff and investigating concerns passing them onto the correct body as necessary, managing records of safeguarding and Child Protection concerns, keeping own knowledge up to date etc.

If you have a safeguarding concern about the welfare of a student you are required to report this immediately to one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads or a senior member of staff. 
Outside of school hours please contact Hillingdon Stronger Families Hub on 01895 556006.

Support During School Holidays

As we are not in a position to call or visit over the holiday, please take on the following advice

  1. If you are in danger you must call 999 immediately
  2. If you are concerned about hurting yourself please go straight to A and E, or to hospital
  3. The easiest option is to ring Childline - on 0800 1111 this is a free phone number and can be made from a mobile, home or pay phone and is not traceable so your parents will not be aware. If you or your sibling has a mobile then use this. Explain how you are feeling as they are trained professionals and will be able to direct support to you eg counselling, the police or other services 
  4. If you have any family or a trusted adult I would advise you speak to them or go and see them immediately. They will be able to offer you support and someone to talk to

You can also use Kooth website and Shoutout (both linked below) for free confidential counselling on your phone or computer and there is also new app called Hidden Strength which does a similar job.

Please ensure you take up one of the suggestions above and talk to a trusted adult.

Take care and remember the support mentioned above, whilst this won’t be an instant cure to how you are feeling they will understand and be able to talk you through strategies and support available to help you.

Useful places to go for information: 


For more information about our approach to safeguarding please see our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy.

Barnhill Community High School actively supports the Metropolitan police and the local community when called upon. This could include but not limited to supporting the act of random knife arches, bag searches and/or sharing student information when requested.