Safeguarding and Child Protection

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is best defined as: “protecting ALL children under the age of 18 from maltreatment and abuse”

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children at Firthmoor Primary School is everyone’s responsibility. Members of the public as well as staff and visitors to school play a vital role in helping to protect children. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy applies to all adults, including volunteers, working in or on behalf of the School and it is expected that everyone working in or for our School shares the responsibility to keep children safe from harm.

In order to protect our children, we aim to establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to. We train staff to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse. We respond quickly and effectively to cases of suspected abuse and monitor and support children at risk. In accordance with our Safeguarding Policy, if we feel that a child is at significant risk of harm, a referral will made to Children’s Services.

FPS Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Keeping children safe in education part 1 – Sep 2020

Safeguarding Notice for Visitors

Safeguarding – Allegations against Staff Statement

If you suspect that a child may be at risk, or if you have any concerns about the safety or well-being of a child, you can contact any of the following:

Firthmoor Primary School Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL):

Designated Safeguarding Lead:  Mrs Ann Dixon, Headteacher

Deputy Safeguarding Leads:  Mrs Victoria Morrow (Deputy Headteacher) and Mrs Dawn Kilpatrick (Inclusion Officer)

Designated Teacher for looked after and previously looked after children

Mrs Ann Dixon, Headteacher

Darlington Borough Council Safeguarding Board

Local Authority Designated Officer: Marion Garland. Secure email: DSP@darlington.gov.uk

Children’s Access Point (CAP)

Telephone: 01325 406222    E-mail: childrensaccesspoint@darlington.gov.uk

Website: http://www.darlingtonsafeguardingboards.co.uk/

Police

Non-urgent enquiries 101, Emergency calls 999

NSPCC – 0808 800 5000 or visit https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/report-abuse/

Operation Encompass

Operation encompass has been introduced in schools and academies throughout County Durham and Darlington, and supports children and young people affected in any way by domestic abuse. The project is a collaborative initiative involving Durham Constabulary, Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council and schools and academies in the area. The scheme provides a method of sharing information between the police, local authorities and schools.  Following an incident at home, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day. The scheme enables designated Key Adults within the school, Mrs Dixon and Mrs Kilpatrick, to be provided with information to support the child when they arrive in school.

Safer Recruitment

All employees of the school, including volunteers, are subject to Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service checks. When recruiting staff, at least one member of the panel has completed Safer Recruitment Training. Pre-employment checks completed include the right to work in the UK.

School Security

The school has a very effective security system, which includes a key fob entry system. All staff and visitors to school are required to sign in and out of the register and are required to wear identification badges.

Mobile Phones and Devices

Mobile phones and portable devices are not allowed to be used in school. Visitors and staff are requested to switch off their devices when they arrive on site and and instructed to not use them in the presence of children. If a phone call is expected they are advised to only use their phone in designated areas away from children.

Mobile Phone Use

Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation

This is part of our wider safeguarding duty. The Academy will intervene where possible to prevent vulnerable children being radicalised. Varying forms of communication and access to the internet has become a major factor in radicalisation and the recruitment of group members. As with all other forms of abuse, concerns should be reported to the Academy’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, or alternatively you can contact:

Police Prevent Team: (office hours)        0191 375 2234

Non-urgent enquiries 101, Emergency calls 999

To report illegal information, pictures or videos found on the internet www.gov.uk/report-terrorism. Anti-terrorist Hotline: 0800 789 321. Further information can be found at https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/

Firthmoor Primary School – Protect and Prevent Policy (Extremism and Radicalistion)

Useful resources:

Protect young eyes