Children maximise their potential in an environment which is safe, secure and supportive of all their needs. At Tow Law Millennium Primary School, we regard the safeguarding of our children as our main priority. We all have the responsibility to make this happen.
We will ensure that:
- The welfare and well-being of each child is of paramount importance.
- 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.
- We respect and value each child as an individual.
- The protection of children from abuse is a whole-school issue, and the responsibility therefore of the entire school community.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
- All staff and volunteers working in our school have a responsibility to report concerns to the Designated Lead for Safeguarding – Mrs Jackson, Miss Dobson and Miss Mawson.
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 and supporting families.
- Premises – keeping them safe, pleasant and 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 Lead for Safeguarding is Mrs Jackson.
In her absence, the other Designated Leads will take responsibility: Miss Mawson or Mrs McNally.
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 regularly trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow which complies with the advice laid down in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ 2018 and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ revised guidance 2022.
- Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children.
- All staff & volunteers are requested to read our ‘Staff Handbook’ which contains important practical advice, and are directed to the document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.
Child Protection with Safeguarding Policy
All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the Child Protection Policy and procedures appropriately.
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 & volunteers are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
Information Sharing
We have an obligation to obtain necessary information from parents/carers 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 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. Our school takes care to ensure that information about a child is only given to the appropriate external people or agencies. Staff will take names and ring back via a main switchboard if unsure. All staff within school will be aware of the confidential nature of personal information about a child and the need for maintaining confidentiality. They will seek advice about parental responsibility issues if unsure.
Links with External Agencies
Because our first concern must be 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 and 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 Schools Nurse, Health practitioners, Educational Psychology, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Education Welfare, Social Services and Specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs.
Reporting Concerns or Complaints
Further to the above procedures, we have in place a Complaints Policy. This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern.
Concerns should be raised in the following order:
- To the Class Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Headteacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Chair of Governors. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Local Authority.
Contact details are available from the school office.
Review of Policy and Practice
In order to ensure the best practice is maintained, our policies are reviewed regularly to incorporate the latest statutory guidance these can be found in the School Policies section of our website.
If you would like further information on safeguarding, please contact the school for all our policies or view our School Policies on our website.
Operation Encompass
As part of safeguarding, our school is part of the Operation Encompass programme. If you would like any more information regarding this please come into school to speak to Mrs Jackson or Miss Mawson.
