Sampford Arundel Safeguarding Statement

We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils.

We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued.

We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure pupils receive effective support, protection and justice.

 

Sampford Arundel Primary School aims to work in close partnership with parents to support the children in every way possible. However, there is a clear responsibility on all schools to ensure they work together with other agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.

As a result, if concerns are raised within the school, or a child or parent reports a situation involving possible abuse, we are required to refer such matters to the appropriate Children’s Services, in line with Government and Somerset Council policy.

Sampford Arundel Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Consequently all adults working in school are required to complete a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Enhanced Police Check.

We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, children and staff at school. All concerns are passed through the members of staff who are trained as "Designated Child Protection Officers" in school in compliance with the "sharing of information" guidance.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Jacqui Collier, Head teacher.  She is supported by Philip Mann who is the Deputy Safeguarding Lead.  All of our staff have completed Safeguarding training and are committed to ensuring all children are safe.

If you have any serious concerns about your child or any other pupil at Sampford Arundel Primary School please do not hesitate to contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead who knows who to contact for the best advice and help and is experienced in using the appropriate degree of confidentiality.

If a child discloses any concerning information to an adult working in our school, the adult is asked not to question the child or comment on the disclosure. A designated child protection person is informed as soon as possible and a factual record of the disclosure is made. All concerns which are brought to our attention are recorded confidentially as recommended by the Somerset Safeguarding Children's Board. Disclosures made which compromise the safety of an individual cannot be kept a secret.

For the best interests of all our children we use the following safeguarding measures:

Minor Concerns

Staff are asked to record any and every minor concern they have about the children in our school.  They are encouraged to talk through any concerns they have with one of the safeguarding leads.  Often these issues are resolved by simply talking to parents or other children dependant on the issue raised.  This ensures that minor concerns do not become large issues for children.

Cause for Concern

Any concerns will be shared with parents as early as possible as more often than not there are extremely reasonable explanations for the concern. Concerns may range from children being visibly upset to persistent lateness to children ‘disclosing’ concerns.  In these cases the school will work closely with parents to resolve any issues which may include access to support e.g. Parent and Family Support Assistance.

Attendance

All lateness and absences are recorded on SIMS by teachers. Reasons will be sought for all absence or lateness. Attendance is monitored through these systems and referrals to the Safeguarding Team can be made. Parents will always be informed of concerns around attendance at the earliest point. If attendance concerns continue the school will refer to the Education Welfare Officer.

It may be helpful for parents to know that the Local Authority requires Head Teachers to report any obvious or suspected case of child abuse which includes non-accidental injury, severe physical neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. This procedure is intended to protect children at risk and schools are encouraged to take the attitude that where there are grounds for suspicion it is better to be safe than sorry. This does mean that Head Teachers risk upsetting some parents by reporting a case, which on investigation proves unfounded. In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents, appreciating how difficult it is for Head Teachers to carry out this delicate responsibility, would accept that the Head Teacher was acting in what were believed to be the child’s best interests.

Visitors to the school site must:

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· Report to the main door and call the bell immediately on arrival.

· Sign in the visitors’ book; recording who they are visiting and time of arrival.

· Wear their visitors badge AT ALL TIMES.

· Only use the adults toilets.

· Switch off mobile phones whilst on the school premises.

· Sign out on departure and hand back their badge to the office.

If you are concerned about the safety of any pupil please contact the Child Protection Officer Jacqui Collier.

​If you believe a child may be at risk of harm, you can also contact Children's Social Care: 0300 123 2224 or the NSPCC: 0808 800 5000. If you need to speak to a social worker outside of office hours, please phone the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on: 0300 123 23 27.

For more information about what to do if you are worried about a child, please go to the NSPCC website: NSPCC Helpline

The Somerset Safeguarding Children's Board can be contacted directly on

0300 123 2224