Safeguarding
Severn Vale School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children through:
- The provision of a safe environment in which children and young people can learn
- Fulfilling our statutory (legal) responsibilities to identify children who may need extra help or who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm
The Team:
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Catherine Stevenson (Associate SLT)
cstevenson@severnvaleschool.com
The school’s Designated Safeguarding lead (DSL) is Catherine Stevenson. Catherine is an Associate member of the School’s Senior Leadership team. Catherine joined in 2022 and has a wide range of expertise in safeguarding having worked in another mainstream secondary school in Gloucester for 10 years and then within the Local authorities Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). Catherine is the CEOP Education Ambassador for Severn Vale school and holds responsibility for those students who are registered Young Carers.
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL) and Family Support Practitioner
Charlotte Merryfield
cmerryfield@severnvaleschool.com
The Deputy DSL (DDSL) is Charlotte Merryfield. Charlotte joined Severn Vale in January 2025, bringing with her more than 10 years' experience in safeguarding. Her roles have varied from crises communications for children's services, managing a range of projects at Young Gloucestershire and being assistant head of safeguarding in a further education setting. Charlotte is qualified as a Triple P trainer and has supported many of our families and students.
The Safeguarding Team can also be contacted via the team email address:
safeguarding@severnvaleschool.com
Other key roles:
The Safeguarding team also work closely with the School’s IT Department. Their role within the team is to ensure that the school’s IT network is continually equipped and monitored to limit and restrict misuse or abuse online.
All of the team are members of the School’s Operational Safeguarding Committee which monitors, co-ordinates and controls all safeguarding and welfare processes at the school. The safeguarding team meet frequently to share knowledge and ideas, as well as to discuss any concerns they may have about pupil welfare.
The school’s Safeguarding Governor is Debbie Jones.
The school’s Single Central Record Administrator is Lyn Woodrow (Headteacher’s PA)
Safeguarding Training & Learning
Each of Safeguarding team hold up to date Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (GSCP) Child Protection accreditation. The DSL and the Deputy DSL undergo appropriately accredited Level 3 Safeguarding training, to provide them with the knowledge and skills required to carry out their role. Their accredited training is updated every two years.
New staff whose roles involve 1:1 contact with students receive Safeguarding training delivered by the DSL as part of their induction. This training includes GSCP approved online accreditation which is mandatory for staff to complete. Staff whose roles do not involve 1:1 contact with students (Site and Canteen staff) receive bi-annual Safeguarding training delivered by the DSL.
All teaching and support staff members undergo safeguarding and child protection training delivered in by Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership. The training explores thresholds for intervention, looks at the signs and symptoms of the 4 main categories of abuse and examines legal frameworks, national guidance and local procedures. The training is in line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidelines, which all staff must have an awareness of. The new guidelines came into force in September 2025.
All staff receive regular Safeguarding updates from the DSL on National, Local or school specific Safeguarding issues/concerns as well as reminders of good practice and student relevant notifications.
All staff have access to the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
All staff have participated in accredited PREVENT anti-Radicalisation Training.
All staff have participated in accredited FGM training.
The Safeguarding team actively participate in a range of training to ensure their knowledge is up to date:
- The DSL has attended the Safeguarding Children in the Digital World Masterclass run by INEQE to look in depth at various different areas of online abuse.
- The DSL and DDSL have completed online training for Safer Recruitment in Education.
- The DSL has attended Harmful sexual behaviour training delivered by the GSCP.
- The DSL has attended Risk Taking and the teenage brain training, delivered by The Virtual school.
Useful Links:
Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children's Partnership
Child Safety Online: A practical guide for parents and Carers
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
National Crime Agency - Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)