Safeguarding
Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL)
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Edleston Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy, which can be viewed under the policies section (under the 'Key Information' tab above) or by clicking here: Safeguarding Policy
If there are concerns about a child's welfare, we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are Miss K Goldsmith (Headteacher). Miss C Procter (Deputy Head) Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs R Astles (SENCO).
The Governor with responsibility for safeguarding in our school is Len Simm.
Safeguarding children – Information for Parents
At Edleston, therefore, we believe that it is of the utmost importance to have robust systems for protecting children and safeguarding their welfare, throughout all the activities which the school undertakes. All our pupils have a right to be safe and to be treated with respect and dignity and we work effectively with outside agencies to ensure that this is the case.
Safeguarding in school is a very wide area which covers all aspects of keeping children safe at all times. It includes the physical environment of the school buildings and land, a wide range of practices and procedures, and close liaison with a range of other agencies.
As part of our Safeguarding role, we teach all children how to keep themselves and others safe (at an age-appropriate level). Our PSHE Scheme of Work includes work on Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Bullying, Personal Safety, Inappropriate touching, Secrets, Relationships, Cyber Bullying, Internet security etc. Children are also given clear information about how to report things they feel uncomfortable about.
We are committed to monitoring and listening to all our pupils to identify possible problems. Where there are serious concerns about a child’s safety, we will share our concerns with the relevant authorities.
We work closely with other agencies such as the Police, Social Care and the Health Service to ensure that children in danger are identified and kept safe.
From time to time, families may find themselves in difficulties which could prove detrimental to their children. We will also work closely with those families so that they are supported to ensure their children’s safety and well-being and signpost them to other agencies who may be able to offer help and support.
It is important for parents to be aware that:
Staff and volunteers in the school have a duty to report concerns about a child, whether this means the child may be in need of additional support or help of some kind or whether it is thought that a child may have been abused or be at risk of abuse.
There are four categories of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect.
In some cases, the school is obliged to refer children to children’s social care staff, for children to be assessed for their needs or if an investigation into possible child abuse is required. In many cases, there will already have been discussions between school staff and the parents of the child, and the situation and concerns will not be a surprise to the parents.
However, parents may not be told that the school has referred their child to children’s social care if it is thought that this might put the child at risk.
If school staff need to express concerns about a child or refer a child to children’s social care, it is appreciated that this can cause distress or anger for the child’s parents/carers. It is important however that all parties – parents and school staff – try to discuss these matters as reasonably as possible so that the best interests of the child can be secured.
Children’s social care also tries to carry out its enquiries sensitively. It has to gather information with parents about the steps being taken and it is therefore beneficial that discussions are as open and as constructive as possible.
ONLINE SAFETY
Please be vigilant on the websites and apps your children are speaking on and check their settings to ensure they are not at risk speaking to inappropriate adults or peers. If you feel there is a situation that is not appropriate Call the police immediately and photograph any evidence of such behaviours.
If you identify online any websites or individuals through social media prompting terrorism and extremism please log these with the police and the government portal. https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism
We are an Operation Encompass school.
Photographs and Videos
Whilst lots of parents and carers really enjoy seeing photos and videos of their children’s school life, we are very mindful of our duty of care towards all our pupils. We take the issue of safeguarding very seriously and this includes the use of photographic and video images.
Any photographs or videos taken by parents, carers and relatives at school productions, sports days or other events, are for the enjoyment of individual families. They must therefore not be used in any way that could potentially place a child or family at risk. This would include publishing images in any form of print or on the internet this includes sharing on any social media platforms.
Occasionally, the local press will be invited to take photographs of school events and special achievements. We like to use photographs of our children on our website, in school documents, for parent information meetings, newsletters and on our display screens around the school. Your preferences are held on file and can be changed at any time in writing or by requesting a data amendment form from the school office.
Helpful Links
To find out more please click here: https://www.operationencompass.org/
Cheshire East Safeguarding Practice information
Skips Safety Net offer lots of useful and informative advice to help keep your child safe online. Please take a look at their website here: Skips Safety Net
Anti bullying Alliance: Anti-Bullying Alliance
Staying Safe Online: CEOP Education
Staying Safe Online - E Safety Guidance for parents regarding keeping children safe online and how to report
Pants are Private Guidance for parents regarding keeping children safe from sexual abuse.