Safeguarding

Safeguarding

At Wearhead Primary School, safeguarding children is our main priority. We believe that they have the right to learn in a happy and safe environment. We all have the responsibility to make this happen.

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.
• Off site – ensuring safer activities and environments outside school.

Members of Staff Responsible

• Designated Lead: Mrs Sarah Hodgkinson (Executive Headteacher)
• Deputy Designated Lead: Pending Appointment.
• School Governor with special responsibility for Safeguarding : Mr Sean Hayes.

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.  The following governors have completed the Safer Recruitment Training through the NSPCC; Mrs N. Dalton. Mr S Hayes carried out his training through The Safer recruitment Consortium. Mrs Sarah Hodgkinson via Virtual College.

Staff Training and Awareness

• 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 sign posted to our  guidelines on Safeguarding and are directed to the document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (updated September 2020).

Child Protection with 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.

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 school. This includes 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

Because our first concern must be the well-being of a child, there may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies before we contact parents/carers. 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 (CAMHS), 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 normally be raised in the following order.

1. To the Class Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
2. To the Executive Head Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
3. To the Chair of Governors. Then, if there is no resolution;
4. To the Local Authority.

Contact details are available from the school office.

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.

If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact the school for all our policies or view our policies section on our website.

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