At Coloma, it is a duty of all our staff to be trained in Safeguarding and apply the principles and practices of Keeping Children Safe in Education.
If you have a concern that a young person is being harmed, is at risk of harm, or you receive a disclosure then please contact Coloma’s Designated Safeguarding Leads at
Safeguarding@coloma.croydon.sch.uk
If you wish to speak to our Designated Safeguarding Team directly, please call the school on 0208 654 6228 and ask to speak to either:
Safeguarding is led by a dedicated team across the school. This includes our Heads of Year, who are key members of the safeguarding team and work in close partnership with the Designated Safeguarding Leads to promote and uphold the wellbeing and safety of every pupil.
Further Support and Guidance
Please find below a selection of trusted external organisations offering advice and support for children, young people and families.
NSPCC
The UK’s leading children’s charity, offering advice, guidance and a helpline for anyone concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-families/
Childline
A free, confidential service for children and young people, available 24/7 by phone and online for support with any worry or concern
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/
CEOP
A police-led service where concerns about online abuse, grooming or exploitation can be reported, alongside advice on staying safe online.
https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Digital tools, Mental Health and Wellbeing Apps
Our school recognises that digital tools, including mental health and wellbeing apps, can provide useful support for some students as part of a wider approach to emotional wellbeing.
However, these apps are not a substitute for professional support, such as the school’s pastoral team, counselling services, or external health professionals (including GPs and NHS services). Their effectiveness varies, and many apps are not clinically validated or formally regulated as medical interventions.
Where we signpost or reference wellbeing apps, we do so in good faith as optional self-help tools. We encourage students and parents to be mindful that:
The school does not formally endorse any specific commercial app.
We remain committed to ensuring that all students have clear, safe, and appropriate routes to support within school and through external services where needed.
Young Minds - YoungMinds is a UK-based mental health charity dedicated to supporting children, young people, and their families. It provides trusted advice, resources, and campaigns to improve mental health awareness and access to support. The organisation also works to influence policy and ensure that young people’s voices are at the centre of mental health services. https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Kooth - Kooth is a free, confidential online mental wellbeing service for young people in the UK. It offers access to trained counsellors, peer-to-peer support forums, and self-help tools without the need for a referral. The platform is accessible via mobile, tablet, or desktop and is designed to provide immediate, anonymous mental health support. https://www.kooth.com/
Calm - Calm is a popular wellbeing and meditation app that supports users with sleep, relaxation, and stress management. It features guided meditations, breathing exercises, sleep stories, and mindfulness programmes designed to improve mental wellbeing. The app is widely used by both young people and adults to build daily habits that support calm and focus. https://health.calm.com/
Please refer to our Coloma Safeguarding Policy and our Trust Child Protection Policy via our Policy Page for further information.