Safeguarding
At Silloth primary school, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone' s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carer's has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professional should make sure their approach is child -centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
Silloth primary School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children in school. We believe that children have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment which includes the right to protection from all types of abuse; where staff are vigilant for signs of any pupil distress and are confident about applying safeguarding processes.
Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm - safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment - and that we all feel safe in our environment. If you are ever concerned about the safety or well being of some-one at our school please talk to one of the school's Designated safeguarding Leads (DSL's).
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This mean that we have a Child protection Policy and procedures in place. Parents and carer's are welcome to read the policy on our website. Sometimes we may need to share and work in partnership with other agencies when their are concerns about a child's welfare.
We will ensure that our concerns about pupils are discussed with his/ her parents/ carers first, unless we have reason to believe that this would be contrary to the child's welfare. If a member of staff is concerned about a child's welfare, they will record their concern, and any observations or conversation heard and report to one of the DSl's as soon as possible on the same day.
Keeping Children Safe
At Silloth primary school the welfare of our children is our main priority and we aim to provide you with all the information you need to help you understand our role when it comes to keeping your child safe.
As a school we aim to :
- take a child centred approach
- look out for signs of a safeguarding issue
- we teach our pupils about staying safe and introduce lessons on bullying, healthy eating, internet safety and road safety so that children are aware of how to keep themselves safe.
- work with carer's, parents and children to resolve concerns brought to our attention.
If you believe that a child or young person is at risk of significant harm, please contact the Cumbria Safeguarding Hub on 0333 240 1727.
Our Safeguarding Team
The Designated Safeguarding Lead in our school is the Head Teacher, Mrs Bellas.
In the event of her absence, the following staff act as Designated Safeguarding Leads:
Mrs Smart - Senior Teacher & Phase 3 Leader
Miss Mounsey - Phase 2 Leader and SENDCo
Miss Butler - Senior Teacher & Phase 1 Leader
All members of our safeguarding team have a current Level 1, 2 and 3 Safeguarding qualification and Level 1, 2 and 3 Prevent qualification.
Safeguarding Governor - Mr Tom Hailwood
Staff and Governors who have completed safer recruitment training- Mrs Bellas, Mrs Hagan and Mrs Jackson.
Key Documents
Working with other agencies
In order to ensure all children are safe and cared for, all professionals should make sure their approach is child- centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
Police
Under the Children Act 1989, the police service, working with other agencies such as the local authority children's social care services, health services and education services, is responsible for making enquiries to safeguard and secure the welfare of any child within their area who is suffering (or is likely to suffer) significant harm.
The police are duty- bound to refer to the local authority those children in need whom they meet in the course of their work.
Their role includes;
- the identification of children who might be at risk from abuse and neglect
- the investigation of alleged offences against children
- their work with other agencies, particularly the requirement to share information that is relevant to child protection issues.
- the exercise of emergency powers to protect children.
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass was set up to provide early reporting to schools etc about any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school hours to which a young person attending our school has been exposed, and which might then have an impact on them attending school the following day. Information will only be shared with the school by police where is is identified that a young person was present, witnessed or was involved in a domestic abuse incident.
For more information , visit the Operation Encompass website
Social Care
Social Workers have a central role within the Local Authorities witha duty to promote, support and safeguard the wellbeing of all children in need in their area, and, insofar as is consistent with that duty, to promote the upbringing of children by their families by providing a range and level of services appropriate to children's wellbeing needs.
The Local Authority has a duty to make enquiries underr section 47b of the Children Act 1989 if they have 'reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm'. This investigation is carried out by a social worker.
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
If there are allegations against a member of staff, these must be reported immediately to the Headteacher. Where necessary, the LADO must be contacted within one working day in respect of all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has;
- behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed a child;
- Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child;
- behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates that they may pose a risk of harm to children.
The LADO is responsible for:
- Providing advice, information and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations around allegations and concerns regarding paid and unpaid workers.
- Managing and overseeing individual cases from all partner agencies.
- Ensuring the child's voice is heard and that they are safeguarded.
- Ensuring there is a consistent, fair and thorough process for all adults, working with children and young people against whom an allegation is made.
- Monitoring the progress of cases to ensure they are dealt with as quickly as possible.
- Recommending a referral and chairing the strategy meeting in cases where the allegation requires investigation by Police and/ or social care.
Prevent Strategy
Silloth primary School is fully compliant with the HM Government revised Prevent Duty Guidance 2023. We recognise that we must have 'due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism'. this duty is known as the Prevent duty and enables us to protect children from the risk of radicalisation.
As part of our wider safeguarding duties, we recognise that it is essential that we are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified. All staff undertake online CPD provided by the Home Office annually. Updates are provided through team meetings and INSET.
Reporting Concerns
If you are concerned that somebody close to you is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could lead them into harming themselves or others, please report your concerns by visiting the website below.
Key Documents
The Prevent strategy and the Channel Programme Process
Safeguarding support for Parents
Call the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) helpline for support and advice if you have a concern of your own or another child's safety on 808 800 5000
If you feel that a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999
You can report concerns to the Police on their non-emergency number 101.
You can also contact the Safeguarding Hub at the Local Authority to report a concern by calling 0333 240 1727 or via website at www.cumbriasafeguardingchildren.co.uk
Children and young people who have been victims of a crime may need support to recover. You don't have to report the crime to the police to get support.
You can find free, local support teams across England and Wales.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IS EVERYONES RESPONSIBILITY
Guidance for parents/carers on internet safety is available at internetmatters.org - it's a site worth visiting!
'The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff are vigilant and well trained. Leaders ensure that staff keep their knowledge up to date, including how to prevent pupils from radicalisation and extremism. The safeguarding lead has a very good understanding of any issues of particular concern and has ensured that staff have received additional training in these areas.'
(Ofsted 2017)
