Southwark Policies, Procedures and Links
This is the September 2025 version of Southwark Council's model policy that can be used to develop your school's/setting's policy.
| Copy showing amendments to the September 2024 version of the policy: | Model Safeguarding Policy 2025 September (amendments) (docx, 119kb) |
| Final version of the policy incorporating the amendments: | Model Safeguarding Policy 2025 September (final) (docx, 109kb) |
- Referring to Southwark MASH: best practice guidance (pdf, 287kb)
Information about what to consider and the steps to take when referring to social care.
- MASH Threshold Meeting info for schools (pdf, 233kb)
Information for schools about referring to and participating in the fornightly MASH threshold decision making meetings.
- Southwark LADO 7-minute briefing (docx, 20kb)
Key information about the role of the LADO and how to address concerns or allegations about people who work or volunteer with children.
- Southwark's Letter of Assurance for Schools (updated 2026) (pdf, 157kb)
This letter provides assurances about the arrangements for council staff visiting schools.
- Resources to address use of cannabis edibles
There is a joint campaign led by Southwark Children’s Services, the Metropolitan Police and Change Grow Live (CGL) in response to concerns around young people’s access to, and use of, cannabis edibles. The use of cannabis edibles poses significant risk due to their unpredictable potency, delayed onset of effects, and resulting risk of overdose. Edible products and packaging often resemble genuine, branded sweets and snacks, making them both appealing to young people and difficult to spot. Through the joint campaign, we want to ensure schools and the wider community are able to take actions to safeguard young people against the risk of this form of drug use. The following flyers are available:
For any queries or further information and support, please contact:
CGL Substance misuse prevention work and interventions for schools and young people:
Southwark.YoungPeople@cgl.org.uk
Metropolitan Police: MARIA.Bruford@met.police.uk
- Safeguarding Information Sheet: SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN-Info Sheet (doc, 32kb)
Our model information sheet contains brief information about school’s safeguarding arrangements with some basic DOs and DON'Ts and can be used to make volunteers, supply and visiting staff and everyone else who comes into contact with children aware of school’s policy and procedures if they do not have time to go through whole policy and procedures.
- Child Protection Concerns Record Sheet: CP concerns record sheet (doc, 24kb)
This very simple record sheet can be used to log separately each CP concern that is raised in the school if your school/setting is not using an online recording system. These record sheets may become quite significant in terms of recording and sharing these concerns especially if the concern does not lead to a referral to other agencies. These record sheets and all other records on children referred and/or known to Children's Social Care should be forwarded to receiving schools separately and under a confidential cover when pupils leave the school and a confirmation of receipt should always be obtained from receiving schools.
- Protocol for Children who are Uncollected from School: Protocol for Children who are Uncollected from School (2025) (pdf, 111kb)
- Safeguarding information booklet for parents/carers
This booklet 'Protecting children in education settings' explains the schools' duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. You may want to put the pdf copy on yur school's website and encourage parents/carers to access it online, which hopefully will help cut down on paper. However, hard copies are still available to give out to parents/carers and can be ordered, free of charge, by contacting the Schools Safeguarding Coordinator Apo Çağırıcı (apo.cagirici@southwark.gov.uk , 020 7525 2715)
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Protecting children in education settings (pdf, 734kb) 
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Early Help referral form
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Southwark’s Children Missing Education (CME) Protocol
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Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP)
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Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership New Arrangements
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- Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership Courses |
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- Southwark Safeguarding Joint Service Protocols April 2020 |
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SSCP - Joint Service Protocol 2020- parents with disabilities 
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SSCP - Joint Service Protocol 2020- parents with mental health problems 
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SSCP - Joint Service Protocol 2020 - Parents who misuse substances 
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- Southwark Safeguarding Partnership: Southwark safeguarding
- Private Fostering in Southwark
Private Fostering
Private fostering information and advice for parents and carers
(pdf, 15.8mb) leaflet
Flowchart: What is a Private Fostering Arrangement and what to do once identified?
Translation of Private fostering information and advice for parents and carers leaflet is also available in French, Pashto, Spanish and Yoruba. They can be accessed here.
- Violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Southwark
The Women's Safety Alliance is the new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) service in Southwark. The service is available to all those living in Southwark, including men and boys, who have experienced, or are at risk of, gender-based abuse. The service delivered by Bede House consortium expands our current domestic abuse support to include a wider range of non-domestic-abuse VAWG crimes. To contact the Women's Safety Alliance:
- call 020 7232 0860
- email wsa@bedehouse.org
- Domestic abuse and how to get help in Southwark
The Women's Safety Alliance is the new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) service in Southwark including domestic abuse. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline can also be contacted for advice and support by calling 0808 2000 247.
- Southwark Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
There are a number of CAMHS teams providing services to children, young people and families that live in the London borough of Southwark. Their services are based at several sites within the community across the borough.