Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If You Are Worried About a Child

If you are concerned about the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child, it is important that you report this as soon as possible.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We take all concerns seriously and will respond promptly and appropriately.

You do not need proof to report a concern — if something does not feel right, please tell us.

How to Report a Concern to the School

If you have a safeguarding concern about a pupil at Healey Learning Centre, please contact our safeguarding team immediately.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Name: Abbie Chadwick-Wood
Role: Designated Safeguarding Lead
Email: abbie.chadwick-wood@apex-specialisteducation.com
Phone: 07746 628 476

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs)

Each learning centre has trained Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads who can also receive concerns.

Please contact your child’s learning centre directly or contact the DSL above and we will ensure the concern is directed appropriately.

If a Child Is in Immediate Danger

If you believe a child is in immediate danger or at risk of significant harm:

👉 Call 999 and ask for the police.

After contacting emergency services, please inform the school safeguarding team as soon as possible.

Reporting a Concern Outside School Hours

If you need to report a safeguarding concern outside school hours and cannot reach the school, please contact your local authority safeguarding team.

Rochdale Children’s Social Care

Phone: 0300 303 0440 or 0300 303 8875 (out of hours)

Stockport Children’s Social Care

Phone: 0161 217 6028 or 0161 718 2118 (out of hours)

Trafford / Altrincham Area Children’s Services

Phone: 0161 912 5125 or 0161 912 2020 (out of hours)

If you are unsure which service to contact, you may contact any local authority children’s social care service or the police.

What Happens After You Report a Concern

All safeguarding concerns are taken seriously and handled in line with our Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures.

The safeguarding team will:

✔ Listen carefully to the concern
✔ Record the information securely
✔ Assess risk and need
✔ Decide what action is required
✔ Provide support where appropriate
✔ Work with external agencies if needed

In some cases, we may need to share information with other professionals to protect the child. This is part of our safeguarding duty.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding concerns are handled sensitively and confidentially. However, information may need to be shared with relevant professionals where this is necessary to keep a child safe.

The welfare of the child is always our primary consideration.

Speaking to the School in Person

You can also report a safeguarding concern in person by speaking to any member of staff, who will ensure the information is passed immediately to the safeguarding team.

All staff are trained to respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

Further Information

For full details of our safeguarding procedures, please see:

Our Commitment

We are committed to ensuring every child is safe, protected and supported.

If you are worried about a child, please report it.