Safeguarding and Child Protection

 

Safeguarding is about keeping children and young people safe, including from abuse or neglect. Put simply, keeping children safe is everybody's responsibilty. If you are concerned about any child or family, please call Lincolnshire Children’s Services on 01522 782111 or talk to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads. You can also call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.

Everyone in our school, staff and volunteers alike, is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we also brief all visitors on our procedures. Staff work hard to maintain an environment where children feel safe and secure. The curriculum is designed to ensure opportunities for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from potential risks and abuse. Children know that they can approach any of the adults in school if they are worried and that they will receive a consistent, supportive response. 

In recognising our responsibilities for Safeguarding and Child Protection, as a school we:

  • have clear staff recruitment and selection procedures, ensuring that all staff (including volunteers) who have unsupervised access to children, have been appropriately checked for their suitability through the DBS procedure.
  • have an ongoing training plan for all members of staff and governors.
  • aim to raise awareness of child protection issues and equip children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
  • develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases of abuse.
  • refer our concerns to the Children’s Services at Lincolnshire Local Authority if abuse/neglect is suspected.
  • support children who have been abused in accordance with their Child Protection Plan.
  • establish a safe and nurturing environment free from discrimination or bullying, where children can learn and develop happily.

 

Designated Safeguarding Leads/Deputy Safeguarding Leads:

Mr Spendlow (Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead)

Mrs Butler (ELSA & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead)

Governor: 
Mrs A Jones is our governor responsible for safeguarding.  This role involves checking that procedures and policies are in place; governors are not aware of the details of individual cases.   

Reporting a Concern of Abuse or Neglect
Keeping children safe from harm is everyone’s responsibility. It is important people voice their concerns, no matter how small they think they are. If you have concerns that a child you know is at risk of serious harm through abuse or neglect, it is important that you report your worries to the correct agency: The Safeguarding Children Customer Call Centre 01522 782111. You could also contact the NSPCC Helpline number 0808 800 5000 or the Police in the case of an emergency.

Safeguarding in the curriculum and how we teach pupils to stay safe
Throughout the curriculum we build in opportunities to teach pupils the skills they need to stay safe. We also make use of assembly time to cover different aspects of staying safe and emotional wellbeing.  There are also specific opportunities throughout the school year, such as the following:

  • the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign/workshops by NSPCC visitors (Speak out Stay safe) with more in-depth information for our Year 5/6 children.
  • Bikeability for Year 5/6 children.
  • Work by our JOSOs (Junior Online Safety Officers) and Online Safety Committee.
  • Our Sex Education curriculum for all pupils from Year 1-6.
  • Water safety is covered during our swimming sessions in the summer term.
  • Visits and assemblies from our local PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers)

Further information and advice for parents
Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available in the Policies section of this website.  Alongside our own policies and procedures, see below for information from other sources that are posted to give advice, facts and resources to support parents and carers to help protect their children.

Child Sexual Exploitation
Child Sexual Exploitation, or CSE, is a form of sexual abuse which sees children/young people being manipulated or coerced into sexual activity for receiving ‘something’ such as; gifts, money, food, attention, somewhere to stay etc.Technology is very often used to groom victims. This may occur through social networking sites and mobile phones with internet access. This is not limited to inner city/urban communities – it happens in small, leafy rural villages too!

CSE has gained a large amount of media attention over the last year as lots of services involved with children and young people have noticed a big rise in cases involving CSE. Charities such as NSPCC and Barnardo’s have been campaigning to raise the profile of this form of child abuse.

Information regarding CSE can be found on the following links:

 

Domestic Abuse
Sometimes you will hear the phrase domestic abuse, sometimes domestic violence. They mean the same thing. Domestic abuse encompasses a range of abusive behaviours which are used by an abusive partner/ex-partner or family member to maintain power and control over another adult. Domestic abuse is not just a disagreement. It can also affect anyone, regardless of age, social background, gender, religion, sexual preference, and ethnicity.

There are many different types of abusive behaviour. It should be recognised that abuse is an ongoing pattern of behaviour, which will escalate over a period of time.

  • Physical violence - such as assault
  • Psychological abuse - such as some forms of harassment
  • Sexual abuse - such as rape or indecent assault
  • Emotional abuse - harm deliberately or recklessly inflicted on another person’s emotional wellbeing
  • Financial abuse - where one partner maintains control over the other’s money.
  • Stalking or harassment - such as following their victim, appearing at their home or workplace, repeatedly making phone calls, sending texts and emails

Further advice and support can be found at https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/domestic-abuse/

 

Mental Health and Self-Harm
Concerns are growing for young people's mental health. We support children with emotional difficulties in a range of ways, and have several members of staff who have completed counselling training.  We also have links with Healthy Minds, who are able to help young people with a range of emotional wellbeing concerns e.g. exam stress, worries, low mood, low body image, self-harm, relationship difficulties, low self-confidence.

Below are details of agencies where support and advice can be found.

Childline – 24 hour counselling and safeguarding 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk

 

Eating Disorders

Self Harm

Suicide

Depression and Anxiety