Safeguarding
"Nothing is more important than children’s welfare. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving home. Children who need help and protection deserve high quality and effective support."
Safeguarding our pupils is our number one priority. Our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy is for all staff, parents, trustees, volunteers and the wider school community. It forms part of the safeguarding arrangements for our school and can be defined as:
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providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge
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protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online
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preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
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ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
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promoting the upbringing of children with their birth parents, or otherwise their family network through a kinship care arrangement, whenever possible and where this is in the best interests of the children
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taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in line with the outcomes set out in the Children’s Social Care National Framework.
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
We will always communicate any concerns we may have with you directly, where possible. We are aware that sometimes these conversations may be difficult but want you to know that we are having them with the best interests of your child at heart.
If you have concerns about any child please do not hesitate to act. Contact 999 if you feel the child may be in imminent danger. If you have general concerns please ensure they are communicated to one of the Designated Safeguarding Leaders within school, to any member of staff. The school telephone number is: 01274 579576. An automated message will give you instructions for reaching the Safeguarding Team. If no-one is immediately available, you will be able to leave a message.
The Safeguarding Team
Head Teacher: Louise Woffendin
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Huma Raza
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Sofia Yaqub, Emma Regan & Manjit Panesar
Designated Teacher for Looked After Children - Sofia Yaqub
Alternatively, these are the numbers that you can ring for advice and to make a referral:
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During office hours (8.30am – 5pm Monday to Thursday, 4.30pm on Friday) call Children’s Social Services Initial Contact Point on 01274 433999
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At all other times, Social Services Emergency Duty Team on 01274 431010
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If you have reason to believe that a child is at IMMEDIATE RISK OF HARM, contact the police on 999
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For all general enquiries, please contact Children’s Specialist Services on 01274 433999
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Childline: 0800 1111
School Guidance Documents
Safeguarding Prompt for New Staff - LGPS
Statutory Guidance Documents
Summary of Working together to Safeguard Children 2023
Working Together to Safeguard Children Guidance 2023
Advice and Guidance on Sharing Nudes and Semi-Nudes
Responding to incidents involving the sharing of Nudes and Semi Nudes
Working Together to Improve School Attendance
Operation Encompass Safeguarding Statement
Our school is part of Operation Encompass.
Operation Encompass is a national police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children who experience Domestic Abuse.
Operation Encompass is in place in every police force in England and Wales, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.
Children were recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right in the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act. There is a legislative requirement for police forces to share information with educational settings through Operation Encompass.
Through Operation Encompass the police will share information with our school about ALL police attended domestic abuse incidents which involve any of our children who are related to either of the adults involved in the incident. This sharing of information will occur PRIOR to the start of the next school day. The notification will inform us about the context of the incident and will include the Voice of the Child.
A Key Adult (DSL) in school has completed the free National Online Operation Encompass Key Adult training; they will cascade the principles of Operation Encompass to all other staff.
All staff have had training about Operation Encompass, the prevalence of Domestic Abuse and the impact of this abuse on children. To raise awareness of Operation Encompass we display the posters within school and share information with parents. Operation Encompass notifications are stored in line with all other confidential safeguarding and child protection information.
As a school we have also discussed how we can support our children who are experiencing Domestic Abuse on a day-to-day basis and particularly following the Operation Encompass notification.
