Safeguarding

At Consett Junior School, we regard the safeguarding of children as our main priority. We believe that we all have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn. We all have the responsibility to make this happen.

The school day commences at 8.55 a.m., the school bell will ring and children are to line up in their classes to be taken into school by their teachers. Children have access to the school yard from 8.45 a.m., where they will be supervised by the breakfast club staff. Unless your child has paid to access the breakfast club, they should not be on the premises before 8.45 a.m., therefore remain the responsibility of the parent/carer if dropped off outside the premises before this time. On occasions of inclement weather, children can come into the school hall, but again access is from the school yard.

We will ensure that:

The welfare of the child remains paramount.
All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/ or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and
appropriately.
All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report concerns to the designated leads for Safeguarding: Mr. P. Dixon (Lead) and Mrs. D. Raine (Officer)

Areas of Safeguarding

Our safeguarding policies cover all areas of school life and include:

Staff & Visitors- ensuring they are vetted, informed & trained.
Children’s Behaviour- promoting safer & happier behaviours & lifestyles.
Parents & Carers- promoting links & supporting families.
Premises -keeping them safe, pleasant & fit for purpose.
Curriculum -providing positive, life affirming learning experiences.
Outside School- ensuring safer activities and environments outside school.

Members of Staff Responsible

We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe, however the Designated Lead for Safeguarding is Mr. Dixon.

Safer Recruitment

We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. Ongoing checks and ‘whistle-blowing’ are in line with current policy.

Staff Training

- Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow.
- Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children.

Consett Junior School Safeguarding statement

All Staff & Volunteers are given a copy of ‘Behaviour Guidelines for Staff & Volunteers’ and are directed to the document KCSIE Safeguarding School Policy September 2020 (Updated)

Child Protection within Safeguarding Policy

All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately. Policies are in line with current guidance and procedures.

Staff are able to respond appropriately to any:

significant changes in children’s behaviour;
deterioration in their general well-being;
unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
signs of neglect;
comments children make which give cause for concern.

All staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality.

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.

Written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child’s admission to the school, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.

PARENTS & CARERS MUST 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. Reminders are sent to any parents who fail to respond.

Links with External Agencies

Because our first concern must be the well-being of your child, there may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies before we contact you. The procedures we have to follow have been laid down in accordance with the local authority child protection procedures.

We are fortunate to be supported by a range of external agencies which can be called upon to support the work we do in school. These include School Nurse, Health Practitioners, Educational Psychology, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Social Services and Specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs.

Reporting Concerns or Complaints

Further to the above procedures, we have in place a concerns and complaints policy. This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern.

Concerns should be raised in the following order.

To the Class Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
To the Head Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
To the Chair of Governors. Then, if there is no resolution;
To the Local Authority.

Contact details are available from the school office.

Review of Policy and Practice

In order to ensure that best practice is maintained, our policies are reviewed at least regularly to incorporate the latest statutory guidance emerge.

Online Safeguarding Policy Sept 20

If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact the school for all our policies or view our policies section on our website.

If you would like to download the information in this section please click the link below:

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