We will ensure that:
- The welfare of the child remains paramount.
- All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/ or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and
appropriately. - All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report concerns to the designated leads for Safeguarding:
Areas of Safeguarding
Our safeguarding policies cover all areas of school life and include:
- Staff & Visitors- ensuring they are vetted, informed & trained.
- Children’s Behaviour- promoting safer & happier behaviours & lifestyles.
- Parents & Carers- promoting links & supporting families.
- Premises -keeping them safe, pleasant & fit for purpose.
- Curriculum -providing positive, life affirming learning experiences.
- Outside School- ensuring safer activities and environments outside school.
Members of Staff Responsible
We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe, however the Designated Leads for Safeguarding are Mrs Telfer, Mrs Russell, Mrs Henry and Mrs Stavers.
Our link governor is Mr Cowie, Chair of Governors.
Safer Recruitment
We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. Ongoing checks and ‘whistle-blowing’ are in line with current policy.
Staff Training
- Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow.
- Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children.
- All Staff & Volunteers are given a copy of the Staff / Volunteer Handbook and are directed to the document ‘KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN EDUCATION’.
Safeguarding Policy
All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately. Policies are in line with current guidance and procedures.
Staff are able to respond appropriately to any:
- significant changes in children’s behaviour;
- deterioration in their general well-being;
- unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
- signs of neglect;
- comments children make which give cause for concern.
All staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
Safeguarding and child protection policy
Information Sharing
We have an obligation to obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to school, including:
- emergency contact numbers;
- the child’s special dietary requirements, preferences or food allergies the child may have;
- the child’s special health requirements;
- information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child.
Written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child’s admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.
PARENTS & CARERS MUST TELL US OF ANY CHANGES TO THESE DETAILS.
We take confidentiality very seriously. Any information which we hold is treated as confidential and shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis.
Links with External Agencies
As our first concern is the well-being of your child, there may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies before we contact you. The procedures we have to follow have been laid down in accordance with the local authority child protection procedures.
We are fortunate to be supported by a range of external agencies which can be called upon to support the work we do in school. These include School Nurse, Health Practitioners, Educational Psychology, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Social Services and Specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs.
Reporting Concerns or Complaints
Further to the above procedures, we have in place a concerns and complaints policy. This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern.
Concerns should be raised in accordance with the Trust Complaints Policy.
Prevent
Prevent is part of the government’s wider safeguarding strategy and aims to protect children from being drawn into extremism or radicalisation. At our school, we recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we work proactively to keep pupils safe, both in school and online. Through an age-appropriate curriculum, assemblies and discussions, children are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, understand right and wrong, and respect others. Staff are trained to identify any concerns early and to work closely with families and external agencies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all pupils.
As a school, our staff are trained regularly in Prevent Duty guidance. We work closely with our partners at Durham Police to challenge and address any extremist views or behaviours.
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is a partnership between schools and the police that helps to support children who may be affected by domestic abuse. When the police attend an incident where a child is present, the school is informed confidentially before the start of the next school day. This allows trained school staff to offer timely, sensitive support to the child, helping them feel safe and cared for while in school. Information is shared on a need-to-know basis, and the child’s wellbeing remains the school’s priority at all times.
Children Missing Education (CME)
Children missing education (CME) is the term used to describe children of compulsory school age children who:
- are not on a school roll and are not being educated in another way (for example at home, privately, or in alternative provision)
- have been out of any educational provision for a substantial period of time and we do not know their whereabouts
There are many reasons why children and young people fall out of the education system and are at risk of 'going missing'. These range from failing to start in a new school or appropriate education provision to simply not re-registering at a new school when they move into the area.
Schools have a duty to work closely with families and the local authority to identify, monitor and support pupils who may be at risk of missing education. By maintaining accurate attendance records, following up unexplained absences promptly, and sharing concerns appropriately, we aim to safeguard children’s welfare and ensure every child has access to the education and support they are entitled to.
Our school works closely with Durham Attendance Team to ensure the safety of our children.
Children missing education - Durham County Council
Review of Policy and Practice
In order to ensure that best practice is maintained, our policies are reviewed regularly to incorporate the latest statutory guidance. Further information can be found in the School Policies section of our website.
If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact the school.