At Escomb Primary School keeping our children safe is paramount. We believe all children at our school have the right to feel safe and secure and know that they are part of a supportive family community. We all work together to create a happy healthy, safe and caring environment in which learning can take place with enjoyment. We all have the duty to make sure this happens (Article 19, UNCRC).
Designated Leads for Safeguarding
- Mrs Emma Woodhouse (Headteacher)
- Mrs Leanne Collings (Deputy Headteacher)
- Mr Nathan Cox (Inclusion Leader)
- Governor with the responsibility for safeguarding: Mrs K Bennett
Child Protection
We will ensure that:
- The welfare of every child is a priority.
- All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin 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 lead for Safeguarding: Mrs Gill.
Areas of Safeguarding
Our safeguarding policies cover all areas of school life and include:
- Staff and Visitors – ensuring they are vetted, informed and trained.
- Children’s Behaviour – promoting safer and happier behaviours and lifestyles.
- Parents and 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
All staff are responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe, however the Designated Lead for Safeguarding is Mrs Woodhouse.
Safer Recruitment
Escomb Primary School adopt safer recruitment procedures that help deter, reject or identify people who are unsuitable to work with children. All staff appointed to school will be subject to appropriate identify and qualification checks. References will be verified and appropriate checks (Disclosure and Barring Service – DBS) will be undertaken. Governors and volunteers will also be subject to DBS checks.
Staff trained in Safer Recruitment procedures:
- Mrs Emma Woodhouse (Headteacher)
- Mrs Karen Bennett (Governor Resposible for Safeguarding)
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 and Volunteers are given a copy of Safeguarding Procedures. and are directed to the document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (2023)
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 provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.
PARENTS AND 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 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 I 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 and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Crises Response, Social Services and Specialist 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 the following order.
- To the Class Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Head Teacher (Mrs E Woodhouse). Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Chair of Governors (Mrs J Tremewan). 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 that best practice is maintained, our policies are reviewed regularly to incorporate the latest statutory guidance.
If you wold like more information on safeguarding, please contact the school for all our policies or view our policies section on our website.
Downloads
If you would like to download the information in this section please click the document below:
