At Oakley Cross 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 a statutory duty to “safeguard and promote the welfare of children” and to maintain a professional attitude of “it could happen here” where safeguarding is concerned.
To ensure all children can access their right to be safe and feel protected, we will:
- Ensure that the welfare and well-being of each child is paramount
- Respect and value each child as an individual
- Ensure we are a listening school, and encourage an environment where children feel free to talk
- Ensure that we will use the school curriculum to resource our children to protect themselves from abuse, both as victims and as potential perpetrators
- Ensure all suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and reported swiftly and appropriately
- All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report concerns to the Designated Lead for Safeguarding: Mrs Atkinson.
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 & lifestyles
- Parents and Carers-promoting partnership working and supporting families
- Premises- keeping them safe, inviting and fit for purpose
- Curriculum – providing positive, life affirming experiences
- Outside school- ensuring children can participate in safe enrichment activities
Designated Staff
All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report any concerns to one of our designated safeguarding leads: Mrs Atkinson (Head Teacher) and Mr Howe ( Deputy Head Teacher and SENCO).
Safer Recruitment
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 policies. Mrs Atkinson, Mr Howe and members of the governing body have undertaken Safer Recruitment Training.
Staff Training
- All Staff and Volunteers are given the document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’
- All staff are trained in child protection expectations and are aware of the procedures to follow
- All staff are asked to remain vigilant and report concerns to ensure all of our children stay safe
- All staff complete a school induction and have regular safeguarding updates
Child Protection with 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 are obliged to hold necessary information regarding our children. This will be obtained prior to your child starting school and will include:
- emergency contact numbers
- your child’s address
- information about who has parental responsibility for the child
- any special health requirements including allergies
- any special dietary requirements
Parents and carers must let us know as soon as any of these details change.
Links with External Agencies
We work in partnership with a number of other agencies to ensure your child has the full range of support he/she needs in school. These include our School Nurse, the Educational Psychology service, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), the Behaviour Intervention (EWEL) Team, our school Educational Welfare Officer, Social Services and other specialists supporting Special Educational Needs.
Our first concern is always for the safety and well-being of your child and as such there may be times when we need to consult with other agencies before we contact you. These procedures are in line with local authority procedures.
Reviewing our Policies and Practices
To ensure we maintain best practice at Oakley Cross, our policies are regularly reviewed to incorporate the latest statutory guidance as it emerges.
For more information on safeguarding you can view our policies section on this website or contact the school.
Safeguarding Online
An important part of safeguarding is keeping our children safe online.
All of our pupils adhere to our school’s Acceptable Use Policy whilst online in school.