Safeguarding
Safeguarding Statement
Walderslade Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding children and protecting them from harm is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.
We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection & Safeguarding. Children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical /emotional harm, neglect and sexual abuse and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be viewed in the policies section on our website. On occasions our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult outside agencies such as social services. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed first with parents/carers before any such referrals are made, unless of course we believe that such action may be contrary to a child’s welfare.
We actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism, and all staff have CSE and FGM training.
Safeguarding/ Filtering and Monitoring Governor - Mrs Gemma Pressman
Important documentation
- Walderslade Primary Safeguarding Policy
- Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 Guidance for Schools
Keeping children safe in education 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
- PREVENT Guidance for schools and childcare providers on preventing children and young people
Safeguarding Newsletters
Alternative telephone numbers if you have concerns about a child.
- NSPCC on 0808 800 5000
- Child Line on 0800 1111
- Medway Police on 0162 2690 690
Child Missing in Education information
Other useful contact details
Non emergency number 101
Emergency number 999
LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) - Tel: 01634 331307 / 01634 336 204
Worried about a child?
Information, help, support and advice if you are worried about a child in Medway.
If you have concerns that a child or young person living in Medway is suffering from harm please use the following contact details;
- Medway Children’s Safeguarding Partnership https://www.medway.gov.uk/mscb/
- Children Missing in Education
You can also phone 01634 334 466 or the 24 hour emergency number 03000 419 191.
Links to:
NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
NSPCC Whistleblowing helpline is 0800 028 2085 (8am - 8pm Monday to Friday) or via email help@nspcc.org.uk
CEOP https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Addiction issues support - Rehab Recovery - Drug & Alcohol Rehab Treatment in the UK (rehab-recovery.co.uk)
WHAT DO CHILDREN NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT SAFEGUARDING?
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Adults will not promise to keep secrets.
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All adults will listen to what you have to say with an open mind.
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Adults will not ask leading questions
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If they are worried about your safety, they might invite another professional to talk to you.
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Adults never stop us from freely talking or sharing about significant events
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Adults will make accurate and specific notes of discussions to make sure that all concerns are recorded.
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They will explain that they have a responsibility to report what has been said to someone else if they are worried about your safety.
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All adults will immediately tell the Safeguarding team if they are worried about your safety.
FAMILY SOLUTIONS PARENTING SUPPORT SERVICE
Parents and carers must be referred for the programmes by a professional working in Health, Social Care or Education.
The support programmes available for parents or carers to help with behaviour management are:
- Triple P - for any parent with a child aged 5 to 11 who has general behavioural concerns or conduct problems.
- Triple P ADHD - any parent with a child aged 5 to 11 who is being assessed for ADHD by a paediatrician or already has a diagnosis of ADHD.
We currently do not offer a programme specifically for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but we can accommodate those children with an ADHD co-morbidity.
OP ENCOMPASS INFORMATION
Walderslade Primary currently takes part in a jointly run operation between Kent Police and all Kent and Medway schools, known as Operation Encompass.
Operation Encompass has been set-up to help schools provide support to children who have been present, exposed to or involved in any domestic abuse incident.
We know that children can be significantly physically or emotionally harmed when they witness or are involved, directly or indirectly, with any domestic abuse incident. When a police officer attends a domestic abuse incident where a child or young person has been in the house or exposed to the abuse, the officer will obtain in full details of the incident. This will include, if the child or young person is of school age, information relating to the school or academy they attend. The School will be notified (via a dedicated email account) of the name of the pupil that was present at the incident. No further information about the incident is shared.
At Walderslade the designated safeguarding lead and deputy will be able to access these notifications. This will enable us to support the pupil and their family should that be required. We are always keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.
If you have any concerns or questions, then please contact MrsRowley-Jones (DSL) or Mrs Bridger (DDSL) who will be happy to discuss this further.
