Safeguarding

At Ebchester CE Primary school, we are committed to safeguarding the children in our care. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to protect them from harm.

Keeping our children safe is our main priority and the shared responsibility of everyone who comes in contact with our children, including teaching and other staff, Governors, volunteers and students. All adults have a vital part to play in shaping the lives of the children in our school and are accountable for the way in which they interact, manage risk, use resources and protect pupils from discrimination and harm.

At Ebchester CE Primary School, we recognise the importance on developing the whole child, ensuring that they reach their full potential academically, emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually irrespective of their age, culture, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and sexual identify. We understand that a safe and secure environment is necessary for all children in order to for them to succeed and develop and that working in partnership with children, young people, their parents and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare, supporting any needs they may have, including any needs they have for protection from abuse.

We ensure that:

• All members of our school community, including volunteers are aware of their responsibility to safeguard children.
• All members of our school community know how to report a concern to the designated leads within school.
• All concerns are taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• An effective online safety policy is implemented.
• Training and support is provided so that all staff and volunteers  understand and follow our policies and procedures confidently and competently.
• Effective management is provided for staff and volunteers through regular supervision.

Recruitment and Training

We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children has had official checks, in order to keep our children as safe as possible. Ongoing checks and ‘whistle-blowing’ are in line with current policy. The Safeguarding Team attend Designated Safeguarding Training and updates, including E safety training. All Staff are given a copy of our Staff Handbook, Child Protection Policy, Behaviour Policy and part one of 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'. Staff sign to acknowledge they have received, read and understood these documents.  Safeguarding is a standing item for each staff meeting. Weekly staff briefings include reference to Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Information Sharing

We have an obligation to obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to school, including, emergency contact numbers, the child’s special dietary requirements, preferences or food allergies the child may have, the child’s special health requirements, information about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child.

Written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child’s admission to our school, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. It is the responsibility of parents and carers to tell us of any changes to these details. We take confidentiality very seriously. Any information which we hold is treated as confidential and shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis. 

Reporting Concerns and Complaints

We have in place a school’s complaints policy. This enables children, staff and parents to report anything they feel is of concern. Concerns should be raised in the order set out in our complaints policy which is available on the school website.

Review of Policy and Practice

In order to ensure that best practice is maintained, our policies are reviewed at least annually to incorporate the latest statutory guidance. Ebchester CE Primary School is committed to promoting the welfare of all children by working in partnership with parents, the Local Authority (LA) and multi-agency partners in Early Help and Child Protection, in accordance with locally agreed Local Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements and Procedures. Our Safeguarding Policy applies to members of the school community in its widest sense. This includes children and young people, their parents, school staff, governors, visitors, specialist staff and the local and wider community where they interface with the school. Within its framework, the policy outlines entitlements and responsibilities in securing the protection of children who attend our school.

Links with External Agencies

Our first concern is the well-being of each child in our care and there may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies before we contact parents. The procedures we have to follow are in accordance with the Local Authority Child Protection procedures.

Working with Parents 

Our school believes in effective communication with parents and carers. We welcome parent views and concerns about the welfare of their children and use this feedback to review our practices. We aim to have good working relationships with parents and carers and to work in partnership with them through transparency and honesty.