Safeguarding

At Walworth 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.

We all have the responsibility to make this happen.

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 safeguarding leads (DSL): Miss Bourne, Mr Cooke and Deputies (DSL) Miss Reed, Ms Matthews and Miss Maitland.

Please watch our Local Authorities Children’s Animation – Keeping us Safe

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 & happier behaviours and lifestyles.
• Parents & 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.
• School Security

Members of Staff Responsible

We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe, We have identified Designated Safeguarding Leads in school named above and the Governing body safeguarding lead is Mr Flynn.

Safer Recruitment

We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. On-going checks and ‘whistle-blowing’ are in line with current policy

Staff Training 

• Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow and are asked to read all relevant safeguarding documents and updates.
• Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children.
• All staff and volunteers are directed to the document Safeguarding Children in Education Policy
• All Governors are directed to the document Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021- Part 2 for Governors
• All Designated safeguarding leads are trained in Safeguarding and Child Protection DSL
• All Staff are trained in safeguarding children Level 1.
• All Staff are trained in PREVENT duties.
• All Staff are trained in Child on Child Abuse (Child Sexual Exploitation)

Child Protection within Safeguarding Policy

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 & 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 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 School Nurse, Health practitioners, Educational Psychology, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Social Services and Specialists 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.

1. To the Class Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
2. To the Head Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
3. To the Chair of Governors. Then, if there is no resolution;
4. To the Local Authority.

Our Local Authority Designated Officers  (LADO) are Sharon Lewis & Louise Brooke. Contact details are available from the school office, in the Safeguarding Policy.

Where there is an immediate risk to a child ring First Contact on 03000 267979 (listen to the options and select ‘Safeguarding’) or ring 999 and speak to the Police if risk of harm is imminent.

First Contact – Durham Local Authority

Review of Policy and Practice

In order to ensure that best practice is maintained, our policies are reviewed at least annually to incorporate the latest statutory guidance.

If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact the school for all our policies or view the policies section on our website www.walworth.durham.sch.uk