Safeguarding and Child Protection
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding covers a wide range of activities and actions taken by a number of different people and agencies.
By ‘safeguarding’ we mean:
- protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
- preventing harm to children’s mental and physical health or development
- ensuring children are provided with safe and effective care
- taking action to enable all children to have the best possible outcomes.
Safeguarding is about keeping children safe at all times.
The safety and wellbeing of our children is a key priority for all. We have a range of safeguarding measures in place and robust child protection procedures.
As a school we have a statutory duty to report any suspected incidents or occurrences which may cause concern in respect of the welfare of any child in our care and any circumstances when it is felt a child may be at significant risk of child abuse occurring (e.g. physical, sexual, emotional, neglect). When we can, we will discuss our concerns with parents/carers before a referral is made to Social Services. However, if we have concerns that this action could put a child at risk of harm then we would contact Social Services in the first instance. Our first concern is always the welfare of the child and we will always put the child’s needs first.
All schools follow the procedures set down in the Local Authority Child Protection Guidelines and we can seek advice from Social Care in both a formal and informal capacity.
Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs Z. Fairbairn (Headteacher)
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads – Miss Springall (Deputy Headteacher), Mrs Sapiano (EYFS Lead) and Mrs McGaughey (SENCo)
Designated Safeguarding Governor – Mrs K. Burgess
All school staff have annual safeguarding training and regular updates throughout the year.
The full procedures and guidance are available as a reference copy at the school. Please refer to our Child Protection Policy.
The Governing Body is committed to:
• safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety, and the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of children and young people;
• promoting equality of opportunity and community cohesion where the diversity of different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued;
• the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs, and expects all staff, volunteers and other workers to share in this commitment.
Governors place great value on safeguarding and equality, we have a Nominated Governor for Safeguarding (Mrs K. Burgess) who gives a termly report to the governors about all such matters where applicable.
All governors have annual safeguarding training and have also taken part in Prevent training.
All visitors to the school read our safeguarding guidance before entering and all staff and volunteers undergo all the relevant safety checks. Lanyards are worn by all staff, governors and visitors.
Expressing Your Concern
If you have a concern about a child, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads. Any concerned adult is able to contact the Essex Family Operations Hub. During office hours, please use 0345 6037627, out of office hours please use 0345 6061212.
We all have a duty of care to help keep all children safe.
The Prevent Duty
The Prevent Duty outlines the responsibility of everyone to ensure that others are not drawn into any sort of radicalisation, violence, extremism or terrorism; this can be online or not. Children in particular can be incredibly vulnerable and we, as professionals who work with your children, have undertaken the recommended training to look out for possible indicators. A change in your child’s behaviour, or a child that you know, could be an indication that something is not quite right. If you are worried, please speak to one of our safeguarding leads.
Site security
The main entrance to our school is via Church Road with additional entrances further along Church Road and De Vere Close. Entrance to the school outside of drop off and collection time is by the main gate only. There is an intercom system which will allow the visitor to speak with the office who will release the gate.
For your child’s safety we ask all visitors to ensure they enter through the main entrance at the school office, sign into the visitors’ book, make themselves aware of safeguarding procedures and wear a visitor lanyard at all times.
Any child leaving the premises temporarily to attend appointments (dental or medical, etc) must be signed out and signed back in by their parents at the office.