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At Burnopfield Primary School, we regard the safeguarding of children as our main priority. We believe that we all have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn. At Burnopfield Primary School we believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

 

The Designated Lead for Safeguarding is Mrs Brunton.

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In her absence, any concerns must be reported to a member

of the safeguarding team.

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We will ensure that:

• The welfare of the 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.

• 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 Brunton. In her absence, any concerns must be reported to a member of the safeguarding team.

• Our governor for Safeguarding is Mrs Marie Scott.

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Areas of Safeguarding

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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.

• Outside School- ensuring safer activities and environments outside school.

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Safer Recruitment

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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. Mrs Brunton, Mr Robertshaw and several members of the governing body have undertaken Safer Recruitment Training in line with the Local Authority’s recommendation.

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Staff Training

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• All Staff and Volunteers are given the document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education'

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

• All teachers and support staff have Level 1 Child Protection Training from the Local Authority.

• The Designated Lead is trained to Level 3.

• All members of the safeguarding team are trained to Level 2.

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

• All Staff and Volunteers are given a handbook containing all safeguarding procedures.

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Child Protection with Safeguarding Policy

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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.

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View our Policies section to view our policies in full.

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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.

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

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Information Sharing

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The school has a duty to record, in writing, any concerns it may have about a child/family and share these with the relevant agencies when required.

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The school follows the recommendations from the Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board and keeps chronologies of significant events in the case of any safeguarding concerns about a child/family.

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In the event of a safeguarding concern about a child, the Designated Lead may seek advice from Social Care Direct and the First Contact Service.

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Keeping Your Child Safe

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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.

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PARENTS & CARERS MUST TELL US OF ANY CHANGES TO THESE DETAILS.

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We take confidentiality very seriously. Any information which we hold is treated as confidential and shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis.

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Links with External Agencies

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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, Behaviour Support, Social Services and specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs.

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Reporting Concerns or Complaints

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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.

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Who to speak to if you have a concern;

• Mrs Marley ( SENDCo) SEND queries 

• Mrs Huntley (Key Stage Leader) EYFS/KS1 issues and transition 

• Mrs Sizer (Key Stage Leader) KS2 issues including behaviour 

• Mrs Ferris (Pastoral Support) Pupil or parental well-being  

• Mr Robertshaw (Deputy Head) KS2 issues including behaviour or safeguarding 

• Mrs Brunton (Headteacher) Safeguarding, concerns around staff or escalation of any other issues 

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Concerns should be raised in the following order.

• To the Class Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;

• To the Key Stage Leader. Then, if there is no resolution;

• To the Deputy/Head Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;

• To the Chairman of Governors. Then, if there is no resolution;

• To the Local Authority.

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Contact details are available from the school office. We also have a contact form on our website which is linked to our school office. For more information about our complaints procedure see our Complaints Procedure.

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Review of Policy and Practice

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Our Child Protection with Safeguarding Policy is reviewed every two years and agreed upon with governors.

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If you would like to view any of our policies that relate to safeguarding please see below:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education

• Safeguarding School Policy

• Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

• Anti Bullying Policy

• Equality Information and Objectives

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Safeguarding Online

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An important part of safeguarding is keeping our children safe online. For more information please see our E-Safety page. View our Online Safety Policy

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All of our pupils adhere to our school’s Acceptable Use Policy whilst online in school.

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