Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Weston

Safeguarding display

Governors and staff at Weston are committed to keeping children safe by safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the children in our care through our culture, which is underpinned by robust policies, procedures and practices. We expect all our pupils’ parents and visitors to share this commitment and understanding.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners at Weston make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that we consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

We recognise that we form part of the wider safeguarding system for children. This responsibility also means that we are aware of the behaviour of staff in the school; we maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned.

At Weston we ensure that:

  • All children, regardless of age, gender, ability, culture, race, language, religion or sexual identity, are treated equally and have equal rights to protection
  • All staff act on concerns or disclosures that may suggest a child is at risk of harm.
  • Pupils and staff involved in Safeguarding issues receive appropriate support.
  • Staff adhere to the AMAT Code of Conduct and understand what to do in the event of any allegations against any adult working in the setting
  • All staff are aware of Early Help and ensure that relevant assessments and referrals take place.
  • All staff are aware that abuse, neglect and safeguarding issues are rarely standalone events that can be covered by one definition or label; they recognise that, in most cases, multiple issues will overlap with one another
  • All staff understand that children’s poor behaviour may be a sign they are suffering harm or that they have been traumatised by abuse.

Our comprehensive policy is available here on our school website and printed copies of this document are available to parents upon request.

Our Aims

All staff must:

  • Ensure that they listen to and reflect on the voice of the child at all times and take seriously any concerns raised to them by a child.
  • Ensure that they report any concerns of harm to any child to the Designated Safeguarding Lead team immediately, in accordance with school policy. All staff should also refer their concerns directly to the Integrated Contact and Referral Team and the police if necessary or appropriate.
  • Ensure that they share any information shared directly with them by a child or observed/witnessed with the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. At Weston, we use an electronic form and reporting system, CPOMS, to ensure that all relevant information is shared with all relevant staff in a timely and consistent way and that clear records and timelines are maintained.
  • Ensure that they maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ and report any concerns regarding the behaviour of a child /an adult/staff member in school directly to the Headteacher or follow the correct procedure if the concerns relate to the headteacher.
  • Ensure that they feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practices of staff and potential failures in the school’s safeguarding regime through whistleblowing procedures and the staff Code of Conduct.
  • Ensure that they attend regular formal training/updates at least annually to support them in recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse, particularly in support of early identification of needs of children to prevent an escalation of need or risk to the child.
  • Ensure that under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act, April 2015 that the school adheres to the stipulations of the Prevent Duty in order to assess the risk of children and young people being radicalised or drawn into extremism. This includes all staff engaging in regular training and the school having clear protocols in place for all visitors so that views are appropriate and not an opportunity to influence others.
  • Ensure that there is mandatory reporting to the police in all cases where staff discover that an act of FGM appears to have been carried out.
  • Ensure that staff understand the additional risks for pupils online and continue to promote the School’s Online Safety Policy.
  • Ensure that they remain vigilant whilst visitors are on site and continue to promote the school’s commitment to keeping children safe through reminding visitors and parents of the school’s appropriate use of personal mobile phones/devices whilst they are on school premises. This includes staff understanding and adhering to the Code of Conduct, Mobile Phones and Devices policy and other relevant policies.

All staff will undergo an enhanced DBS check and it is their responsibility to notify the governors if there has been any change in their personal circumstance that may pose a risk to children. 

Our Designated Safeguarding Team includes:

Designated Safeguarding Lead:  Thomas Cutts, Headteacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead:  Emma Loveland, Assistant Headteacher 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Emma Grindley, The Hive Supervisor

Governor with responisbility for safeguarding: Rebecca Clifford-Ball

 

Mental Health Lead: Emma Lovleand

Mental Health Team: Maria McKenzie, Jackie Bate, Kathryn Inskip


Who to talk to within school:
If you have any concerns about a child’s safety, please contact us on 01270 814848 and ask to speak with someone from the Designated Safeguarding team.

Please find below a number of contact numbers, should you require any support or help during times when school is closed:

Weston Village Primary School

01270 814848 or head@weston.cheshire.sch.uk

Cheshire East Children’s Consultation  Service (CHECS – Social Care)

0300 123 5012 (option 3)

Cheshire East Children’s Consultation Service out of hours emergency number (CHECS – Social Care)

0300 123 5022

Childline

0800 1111

NHS 111

111

Non- emergency police contact

101

The emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)

999

Staffordshire First Response Team (if you live in Staffordshire)

0800 1313126

0345 6042886 (out of hours emergencies) 

Prevent Referrals

Prevent Referral Process

Mental Health Helpline

0300 3033972

Adult Safeguarding

0300 1235010

You can also follow the link below for Cheshire East’s Safeguarding Team:

https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell/care-and-support-for-children/are-you-concerned-about-a-child/cheshire-east-consultation-service-checs/checs.aspx

Please follow the below link for Domestic Abuse Guidance from Cheshire East:

CE-Domestic-Abuse-Services-for-you-COVID19

The NSPCC has updated its online safety content for parents and carers on its website and this also now includes new advice on talking to children about upsetting coronavirus content which they may have viewed online.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/inappropriate-explicit-content

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/talking-child-online-safety

The Safer Schools Home Learning Hub is a free library of resources to support parents and carers who are taking the time to help their children be safer online. The resources have been adapted to make them easily accessible for everyone.

https://oursaferschools.co.uk/home-learning-hub  

There are many websites and organisations that can offer a wealth of safeguarding and e-safety advice much of which is updated regularly. On this page, you will find links to a selection of recommended resources.
If your child has a mobile device, then please monitor it closely and seek help where required. For more information see our Staying Safe Online page.

 

Parentzone Think U Know
Cheshire East Safeguarding NSPCC
UK Safer Internet Centre

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