Immediate Danger
- If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999 for Kent Police.
- If you need advice or support with mental health, please call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
Worried About a Child?
If you are concerned about a child, please contact Medway Children's Services:
- Monday to Friday (9am – 5pm): 01634 334 466
- Out of Hours: 03000 419 191
- You can also report a child safeguarding concern online via Medway Council’s website.
Concerns About a Student at The Howard School
If you have a concern about a student who attends The Howard School, please contact a member of our Safeguarding Team:
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mr S. Green
- Deputy DSLs: Mrs J. Deakin and Ms T. McComas
Telephone: 01634 388765 (ask to speak to the Safeguarding Team)
Email: office@thehowardschool.co.uk — FAO Safeguarding Team
You can also report concerns directly through our ‘Tell Us’ button below. You can also seek immediate support through the Hub of Hope - mental health support directory.
Safeguarding at The Howard School
At The Howard School, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Safeguarding is a core priority that underpins everything we do as a school.
Our Safeguarding Commitment
We ensure that all staff receive regular safeguarding training and updates so they can:
- Create and maintain a safe environment where children feel secure, valued, and able to talk openly.
- Ensure that students know there are trusted adults in school they can approach if they are worried or need support.
- Provide curriculum opportunities—through PSHE, SMSC, Tutor Time, Assemblies, and Activity Week sessions—to help pupils develop the knowledge and skills to recognise, respond to, and stay safe from abuse.
- Deliver a robust wellbeing programme to support students who may have experienced trauma or are in crisis, ensuring timely, compassionate, and professional care.
We follow the latest statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education to ensure best practice in all areas of safeguarding and child protection.
Reporting Concerns
If you have a safeguarding concern about a student, you can:
- Contact a member of the Safeguarding Team using the details below.
- Report concerns directly through our ‘Tell Us’ button below.
- If you or someone you know needs mental health support, you can also access help through the Hub of Hope - a national mental health support directory that connects you to local and national services.
Key Safeguarding Contacts
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) / Prevent Lead:
Mr S. Green, Vice Principal
Telephone: 01634 388765
Email: greens@thehowardschool.co.uk
- Safeguarding / Child Protection Officer:
Mr S. Green
Telephone: 01634 388765
Email: greens@thehowardschool.co.uk
You may also find helpful information on the following links and telephone numbers:
NSPCC or Child Protection Helpline via telephone on: 0808 800 5000
Childline or Freefone: 0800 1111
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child outside of school hours, weekends or school holidays, please contact Medway Children's Services on 01634 334466 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm). Outside of these hours, you can call 03000 419 191.
Online Safety
Responsible Use of Social Media and Mobile Phones
At The Howard School, we are committed to keeping our students safe online and promoting responsible use of technology.
Mobile Phone Policy
The Howard School operates a strict no-mobile-phone policy.
- Students may bring mobile phones to school; however, they must be switched off and kept in their bags at all times.
- Phones should only be used when directed by a member of staff.
- Failure to follow this rule will result in immediate confiscation.
- Repeated incidents will mean parents or guardians will be asked to collect the phone from school.
Keeping Students Safe Online
We take online safety seriously and use filtering and monitoring technology, including the Senso platform, across all school systems and networks. This helps us to ensure students remain safe when using school devices and online facilities, and that technology is used responsibly and appropriately.
Guidance for Parents and Carers
In today’s social media age, children have more access to one another than ever before. We encourage parents and carers to set clear boundaries around the use of phones, devices, and the Internet. Please:
- Ensure your child only plays age-appropriate games and attends age-appropriate events.
- Use parental controls to manage which games, apps, and websites your child can access.
- Monitor your child’s phone usage regularly.
- Talk openly with your child about how they use their devices to help them understand what is appropriate and expected.
Helpful Online Safety Resources
We regularly share information to support parents and carers in keeping young people safe online. The links below provide practical advice and guidance:
- Thinkuknow – Ask the Awkward
- Thinkuknow – Parents and Carers
- Safer Internet Centre
- Parent Info
- Online Safety Alliance
- SWGfL – TikTok Checklist
- Childnet – Helping Your Child with WhatsApp
- Report Remove – Supporting Young People to Remove Nude Images (NSPCC Learning)
Operation Encompass
At The Howard School, we work in partnership with Kent Police and Children’s Services to identify and provide appropriate support for pupils who have experienced domestic abuse in their household. This initiative is known as Operation Encompass.
What Is Operation Encompass?
The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in, or witnessed, a domestic abuse incident.
Domestic abuse can have a significant impact on children. They may be:
- At increased risk of physical injury, either accidentally or when trying to intervene.
- Emotionally distressed by witnessing the physical or emotional suffering of a parent or carer.
Operation Encompass ensures that schools are informed so they can offer timely and sensitive support to those affected.
How It Works
Operation Encompass is a partnership between the police and schools, designed to ensure that appropriate adults in the school community are made aware — in confidence — when a child has been involved in a domestic incident.
- The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) shares relevant information from Kent Police with the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL (DDSL).
- Upon receiving this information, the DSL/DDSL will determine the most suitable way to support the child, taking into account their needs and wishes.
- All information is handled sensitively and in accordance with the Kent Police and MASH Encompass Protocol Data Sharing Agreement.
- Records are stored securely and in line with our school safeguarding record-keeping procedures.
Our Commitment
The purpose and procedures of Operation Encompass have been shared with all parents, carers, and governors. This partnership allows our staff to provide informed and compassionate support to pupils, helping them feel safe, valued, and understood within the familiar environment of school.
For more information, please visit the official Operation Encompass website.
Police and Child-Centred Policing
At The Howard School, we work closely with Kent Police’s Child Centred Policing Team and the Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit to promote safety, prevent crime, and support the wellbeing of our students.
This partnership focusses on proactive engagement and early intervention, with police officers working collaboratively with schools to build trust, provide education, and keep children safe.
Child-Centred Policing in Medway Schools
The Child Centred Policing initiative is designed to:
- Increase safety and feelings of safety among young people while building trust and confidence in the police.
- Advise and signpost students to appropriate services and resources based on their individual needs.
- Provide a visible and approachable police presence, ensuring every child is treated with respect and their voice is heard.
- Reduce youth crime and help prevent young people from becoming victims of crime.
- Identify and support groups of young people at risk of becoming victims, offenders, or those vulnerable to radicalisation or exploitation.
- Work collaboratively with schools on safeguarding matters, including participation in child protection meetings where appropriate.
- Partner with school staff to identify students vulnerable to serious violence, gangs, exploitation, or county lines, and plan appropriate intervention and diversion strategies.
- Support a holistic approach to exclusions and work with home-schooled children to ensure ongoing safety and support.
- Act as a point of advice and guidance to school staff, carers, and students on policing and legal matters.
- Take an innovative, partnership-led approach to problem solving.
- Engage directly with children and young people, creating meaningful two-way communication and giving them a voice in community safety and policing.
Police Presence at The Howard School
The Howard School’s Police Officer visits the school every week, working directly with students, staff, and families.
They provide education on key topics such as knife crime, online safety, and positive community engagement, while acting as a vital link between the school and the wider Kent Police team.
Through this partnership, we aim to ensure our students feel safe, supported, and confident both in school and in the community.
Safeguarding Policy
Our Safeguarding Policy can be accessed here: