Is this normal with safe guarding issues at school?

[user63214]

DD aged 6 has a friend at school. For about a year I have noticed and had concerns about this friend. My DD has told me afew things that her friend has said if true they are concerning.

I have just found out since the start of this year (DD randomly mentioned it) that DD and her friend have been having private time with a teacher I hadn't heard of. I have looked this teacher up and she is the pastoral lead so assume it's relating to safeguarding. I ask DD why she has been going and apparently her friend requested for DD to be there.

We haven't been told anything by school about this. Is this normal? On one hand I can understand as anything regarding the friend will be confidential. At the same time though I feel abit strange about the situation, the fact DD is potentially missing time in class and we haven't been informed. Am I overthinking this?

It will just be "let's choose a friend to play with". I do this a lot in my role. There will never be a time when they talk about anything safeguarding related with another child there. I also make sure they choose different children or that the child has finished the work in that lesson so no-one misses learning.

On a separate note, if you have safeguarding concerns about this child, please report it to your local council safeguarding team.

It may be that your daughter's friend is having some issues, and the school have felt she would benefit from speaking to the Pastoral Care person. Your daughter, is most likely only there, to keep her friend company and it also gives Pastoral Care the chance to see how the friend interacts with your daughter. It would not be Safeguarding problems, no one would be discussing these issues in front of your daughter. If there was a Safeguarding issue, that involved your daughter, you would be notified. If you have concerns regarding your daughter's friend, then please report these to the Safeguarding Lead at the school.