Safeguarding
Bournebrook C of E Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We fully expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. If you are concerned about a child, talk to us
If it is urgent, please ask to speak to Mrs Smith or Mrs Pemble via the school office.
Mrs Smith
Lead Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs Pemble
Designated Safeguarding Leader
The Bournebrook approach to safeguarding:
Please read our child protection and safeguarding policy on our website.
At Bournebrook, we fully recognise our responsibility for safeguarding children and young people. It is difficult to accept, but every child can be hurt, put at risk of harm or abused, regardless of their age, gender, religion or ethnicity. That is why we do everything within our power to:
· Listen to all children without judgment
· Protect children from maltreatment
· Prevent impairment of children’s health or development
· Ensure that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
· Take action to enable all children and young people to secure the best outcomes
The action we take at our school to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play which we take our part very seriously. We ensure we operate a child-centred safeguarding system. We acknowledge that children want to be respected; have their views heard; to have stable relationships with their teachers, built on trust; and to have consistent support for their individual needs. All adults within school have received safeguarding training. Our school appreciates that it has a duty to ensure arrangements are in place for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we will carry out this duty through our teaching and learning, pastoral care and extended school activities. All members of the school (including volunteers and governors) will at all times establish and maintain a safe and stimulating environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk to adults they can trust and are listened to. Through training, all staff (teaching and non-teaching) are able to recognise the signs of abuse and understand their responsibilities when a child may be at risk of harm. Our designated members of staff are fully trained and receive updated training every 2 years. They ensure all confidential records are kept securely. It is the responsibility of the designated member of staff to have discussions with Social Care when concerns arise regarding the safety of any children. All such children are closely monitored, including attendance, and where extra concerns arise, these are always passed on to the appropriate agencies. The Designated Leaders ensure that all staff are trained with regard to Safeguarding and Child Protection. When staff have an immediate concern for a child, they may contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for further advice and support.
Parents / carers should know that the law (Children Act 1989) requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with the parent / carer and discuss the need to make a referral to MASH if that is considered necessary. This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm or cause undue delay. The school will seek advice from the MASH when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later found to be unfounded. Parents / carers will appreciate that the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead carries out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acts in the best interests of all children.
Safeguarding within school:
Children are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult- somebody on their ‘network hand’ if they have a worry or concern. Sometimes children find initiating tricky conversations difficult. Each classroom has a ‘chatterbox’. The box is a way of communicating with an adult, the youngest members of the school write their names and place them into the box, older children are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings. Children can also write messages on behalf of others. Once message is in the box, a counter is used to alert an adult. Adults within school will then provide time to speak to the child about their concerns or worries. .
Posters around school, inform children different staff names and that they can talk to any adult within school.
Safeguarding outside of the school day:
Some children may have worries outside of the school day. The Microsoft form linked below allows children to express a concerns outside of the school day. The form is directed to the head’s account (Mrs Smith’s account) and will result in a follow up conversation.
Other advice and support:
Children can also use professional bodies to express their worries and concerns:
Childline 0800 1111 or via their website https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/our-services/childline/