Policies Relating to Safeguarding Children...

Behaviour Policy

Confidentiality Policy

Equality Statement

Safeguarding: Keeping Children Safe in School - Child Protection Within Safeguarding

Safeguarding: Protecting Children from Extremism and Radicalisation

Safeguarding: Protecting Children from Being Drawn into or Supporting Terrorism

Procedure for Parents Failing to Collect Children

Procedure for Child Going Missing

Emergency Evacuation Procedure

Infant Pupil Charter

Junior Pupil Charter

Here at Finchale Primary School we regard the safeguarding of children as a key priority.

We believe that we all have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn in a community where we are all respected and that we all have a responsibility to make this happen.

We will ensure that:

• the welfare of every 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

• any and all suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to quickly and appropriately following the policies and procedures adopted by the school and local authority

• all staff and volunteers working at our school understand that they have a responsibility to report concerns to the school’s designated leads for safeguarding, Dr. Whitton (HT) or Mrs. Sleeman (DHT).

Key Personnel Responsible for Safeguarding at Finchale

As mentioned, we are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe. The Designated Lead for Safeguarding at Finchale Primary is Dr. Sandra Whitton (Head Teacher) and she is supported by Mrs. Margaret Sleeman (Deputy Head Teacher). The governor with special responsibility for safeguarding is Mrs. Kate Hall.

Areas of Safeguarding

Our safeguarding policies cover all aspects of school life and include:

• staff, students, volunteers and visitors, ensuring they are appropriately vetted, trained and informed of our policies and procedures

• children’s behaviour, ensuring we expect and promote the highest standards

• parents and carers, through accessing and signposting support for families

• building and premises, keeping them well-maintained, safe and fit for purpose

• curriculum, through teaching children how to keep safe and by providing positive, life affirming learning experiences

• extra-curricular activities, ensuring safe, well-planned activities and environments outside school.

Safer Recruitment

We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. All staff, governors and long-term volunteers are required to complete a DBS check. Finchale has also adopted the Local Authority’s Confidential Reporting Code, formerly known as ‘whistle-blowing’ policy.

Staff Training

• Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the correct procedures to follow.

• Staff and governors have completed Level 1 training together.

• Dr. Whitton, Mrs. Sleeman and Mrs. Richardson have completed the Level 2 Designated Lead Training for Child Protection and regularly attend training updates.

• Dr. Whitton has completed a number of Level 3 courses in child protection

• Staff are actively encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children

• All staff and volunteers are given a copy of our Code of Conduct and our Safeguarding Summary. They are directed to our school Safeguarding  Policy and the document Keeping Children Safe in Education (see link above).

• Staff have completed online training in preventing radicalisation.

Keeping Children Safe in School: Child Protection within Safeguarding

All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement our safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately. Policies are in line with current guidance and procedures and are updated annually.

Staff are able to respond appropriately to any:

• significant changes in children’s behaviour

• deterioration in the general well-being of children

• unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse

• signs of neglect

• comments children make which may give cause for concern

All staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality.

Information Sharing

We are required to obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to our school, including:

• emergency contact numbers

• the child’s special dietary requirements, preferences, and food allergies

• information regarding any other allergy the child may have

• any health requirements the child may have

• 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 Finchale regarding us seeking any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. If the child has a medical condition that requires a Medical Care Plan, this should be completed by the parent/carer and a member of staff in school as soon as possible after their admission.

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. This will usually include the child’s class teacher, the designated leads for Child Protection, Dr. Whitton, Mrs. Sleeman and Mrs. Richardson. It may also include a member of our Learning Support Team if they are working closely with that child.

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 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 the School Nurse, Health Practitioners, Educational Psychologists, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Social Services and Specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND).

Reporting Concerns or Complaints

Further to the above procedures, we have a Complaints Procedure. This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern.

Concerns should be raised in the following order:

1. To the Class Teacher and if there is no resolution,

2. to the Head Teacher and if there is no resolution,

3. to the Acting Chair of Governors, Mrs. Gayle Foster and 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 as they emerge. Our safeguarding governor, Mrs. Kate Hall also audits our school safeguarding policies and procedures regularly.

If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact school or view our policies by clicking the link at the top of the page.