Keeping children safe is everyone's business. We are dedicated to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which the children in our care are protected from abuse and harm. Any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to. We comply with local and national child protection procedures and ensure that all staff are fully trained.

For more information about safeguarding at Smiles of Quorn, please see our Safeguarding Policy.

For more information regarding safeguarding children from the Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children Partnership , please see this leaflet.

Safe Award Winners

We are very proud to share that after a comprehensive expert review of all our safeguarding arrangements and successful submission of the detailed SAFE risk assessment, we have officially achieved the 'Child and Adult Safe Award'. This award recognises excellence in Safeguarding. SAFEcic is not for profit and defined as an "eligible body" delivering educational services and specialist child and adult safeguarding solutions both in the UK and Internationally. The expert SAFE team has offered safeguarding audits and pre-inspection audit services for a wide range of organisations such as those in leisure, health and education since 1999. In the feedback the advisor wrote that "It was a pleasure" to review our arrangements and it was "an excellent submission so congratulations and well done."

Designated Safeguarding Team

There is a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) onsite at all times while the club is in session.

The designated safeguarding lead coordinates child protection issues and liaises with external agencies (e.g. Social Care, LRSCP and Ofsted).

You can contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) by emailing safeguarding@smilesofquorn.co.uk or by phoning the on call Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) on 07410 155993.

Rachel Marshall

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Completed Designated Safeguarding Lead for Children Qualification on the 19th September 2024.

Harvey Marshall

Senior Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) and Prevent Coordinator.

Completed Designated Safeguarding Lead for Children Qualification on the 14th September 2022.

Lucy Hardy

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) for Holiday Club

Completed Designated Safeguarding Lead for Children Qualification on the 22nd May 2024.

Alice Hall

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) for Wraparound and E-Safety Coordinator.

Completed Designated Safeguarding Lead for Children Qualification on the 19th September 2024.

Early Help

At Smiles of Quorn, we understand that every family faces challenges from time to time — whether that’s a child’s behaviour, emotional wellbeing, or changes in family circumstances.

We believe that getting help early can make a real difference, which is why we provide information and guidance about Early Help (also known as Family Help).

Early Help is a voluntary, confidential service that supports children, young people, and families at the earliest possible stage — before issues become more difficult to manage. It focuses on what’s working well in your family, what could be better, and what support might help.

Families stay in control at every stage. Nothing happens without your consent, and support is only provided if you agree to it. The process is built on partnership — professionals work with you, not to you, helping you build on your strengths and make changes that suit your family’s goals.

Early Help can provide access to a wide range of services and practical support, including:

• Parenting advice and behaviour management programmes

• One-to-one keyworker support or home visits

• Help with school attendance, routines, and family relationships

• Guidance with finances, housing, or wellbeing

• Links to youth work, counselling, and community activities

The main benefit of Early Help is that it prevents small challenges from turning into bigger problems. Families often say it helps reduce stress, strengthens relationships, and improves children’s wellbeing, behaviour, and confidence — both at home and in school.

If you feel your child or family might benefit from this kind of support, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Please speak to any member of our Safeguarding or Senior Leadership Team, or talk to any member of staff at Smiles of Quorn — we’ll be happy to listen and help you take the next steps.

For more information about how Early Help works in Leicestershire, visit the official Leicestershire County Council Early Help and Family Help Services page.

Online Safety

10 Tips to Keep Your Children Safe Online

What Parents and Carers Need to Know about Instagram

What Parents and Carers Need to Know about Tik-Tok

What Parents and Carers Need to Know about YouTube

What Parents and Carers Need to Know about Snapchat

What Parents and Carers Need to Know about Facebook

What Parents and Carers Need to Know about Age-Inappropriate Content

If you have a concern

It is very important that you take action straight away if you think a child you know is being abused.

Speak to our designated safeguarding lead, or any member of staff, if you have any concerns.

If we are not available, or you would like to speak to someone else, contact Leicestershire County Council First Response Children’s Duty Team on 0116 305 0005 (24 hour phone line) if you think a child is being:

• neglected

• physically abused

• sexually abused

Always phone 999 if a crime is being committed or if a child is in immediate danger.

Safeguarding: Further information and support

Should you require any advice or support with safeguarding out of hours, please refer to the following contacts.

If you are in an emergency situation, please call 999.

Leicestershire County Council First Response - If you have significant concerns about a child’s safety.

Phone: 0116 305 0005 (24hr phone line)

Website: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ report-abuse-or-neglect-of-a-child

Police - If a crime is being committed or if a child is in immediate danger.

Phone: In an emergency dial 999. For non-emergency enquiries call 101.

Website: www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) -If you have child protection concerns about someone in a position of trust.

Phone: 0116 305 4141 (allegations Line)

Email: CFS-LADO@leics.gov.uk

Leicestershire & Rutland Safeguarding Children Partnership (LRSCP) -If you would like to view leaflets, posters and information related to safeguarding children.

Website: www.lrsb.org.uk/leaflets

Childline - Childline offers free, confidential advice and support, whenever you need help for under 18s.

Phone: 0800 1111

Website: www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC - NSPCC provide therapeutic services to help children move on from abuse, as well as supporting parents and families in caring for their children.

Phone: 0808 800 5000

Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Stop it Now - Stop it Now provides a confidential helpline, live chat and secure email for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse prevention.

Phone: 0808 1000 900

Website: www.stopitnow.org.uk/helpline/

Kooth - Kooth is a provider of online mental health services for children, young people and adults.

Website: www.kooth.com/

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Community Family Therapy Service - CAMHS is a new service that has been set up for families across Leicester and Leicestershire that families can ring and self refer for support.

Phone: 0116 2952909

Samaritans - Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.

Phone: 116123

Website: www.samaritans.org

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) - CEOP is a law enforcement agency and is here to help keep children and young people safe from sexual abuse and grooming online.

Website: www.ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting/

Karma Nirvana - Karma Nirvana is charity supporting victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage, running national helpline offering direct support and guidance to victims, survivors and professionals.

Phone: 0800 5999 247

Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk

Barnardo’s - Barnardo’s make sure children, young people feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful, by running over 800 specialist services across the UK, and campaigning to change the way the system works for the better.

Website: www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support