At Applegarth Primary School, we regard the safeguarding of children as our main priority. There is a sttrong culture of safeguarding and it is everybody’s responsibility to keep our pupils safe.
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
The main priorites for safeguarding in North Yorkshire are:
- Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) especially County Lines
- Radicalisation and Extremism – particularly right wing extremism.
- High rate of absence and persistent absence (including children missing from education and care who could be at risk of CCE).
1. Be Aware- Tackling Child Exploitation
Child Exploitation is a type of abuse. When a child or young person is exploited they’re groomed by being given things, like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection. This is usually in exchange for carrying out a criminal activity, known as Child Criminal Exploitation or performing sexual activities, known as Child Sexual Exploitation.
Children can be taken to places in and outside of North Yorkshire, known as Trafficking to be exploited. They can be moved around different places in the country and abused by being forced to take part in criminal or sexual activities. Young people in gangs can also be exploited.
Young people. families and professionals can find more information on the NYSCP website.
2. Radicalisation and Extremism
All staff and governors have undertaken PREVENT training. The DSL team have completed additional referral and Channel Awareness training. The Prevent Duty Policy (on our policies page) and Safer Recruitment Policy detail the robust measures we have in place in school. A significant proportion of radicalisation in rural areas takes place online. Our Online Safety Page has more information about this. You can also go direct to the NSPCC’s radicalisation page.
3. Attendance
Addressing attendance is part of our whole school improvement plan (particularly pupil premium girls who are disproportionately likely to be persistent absentees). A detailed attendance analysis is undertaken by the Headteacher every three weeks and follow up actions are taken immediately. The impact of the interventions has been very positive. Our Attendance and Absence Policy provides detailed information about attendance procedures in school.
Areas of Safeguarding
Our Safeguarding Policies cover all areas of school life. Some examples include:
- staff & visitors- ensuring they are vetted, informed & trained
- children’s behaviour- promoting safer & happier behaviours & lifestyles
- intimate care- dignified and safe procedures around changing and caring for pupils
- parents & carers- promoting links & supporting families
- premises -keeping them safe and fit for purpose
- curriculum -providing positive, life affirming learning experiences
- online safety- keeping children safe online both in and out of school
- 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 Safeguarding Lead is Mr Justin Peoples. The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs Hopkin and Mrs Christina Crossley. Mrs Jo Burnside is our nominated Safeguarding Governor.
Annual Safeguarding Report to Governors
Attached below are the annual safeguarding summaries presented to governors.
- Annual Safeguarding Report to the Governing Body 2020 2021
- Annual Safeguarding Report to the Governing Body 2021 2022
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 Whistleblowing are in line with current policy.
Staff Training
All staff:
- are trained in child protection issues (Basic Awareness, Level 1 Safeguarding, PREVENT and Keeping Children Safe Online) and they are aware of the procedures to follow in school to report concerns
- are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children
- are given a copy of ‘Code of Conduct for Staff & Volunteers’ which they sign to acknowledge agreement
- read and sign the Photographic Policy agreement
- read and take a knowledge check for the appropriate parts of KCSIE every year (as well as having regular updates throughout the year). Governors read the full document and take a knowledge check
Child Protection Manual
All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the Child Protection Manual 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 for the child
Written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child’s admission to the provision, 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.
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 Headteacher (Mr J Peoples)
- Safeguarding Governor (Mrs Jo Burnside- jo.burnside@applegarth.n-yorks.sch.uk)
- To the Chair of Governors (Mrs Diane Parsons – cofg@applegarth.n-yorks.sch.uk)
- To the Local Authority. Call the Customer Resolution Centre on 01609 780780 or the Duty LADO (01609 533080)
Contact details are available from the school office.
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. You will always be asked for consent for early help referrals.
Early Help
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. You can self refer to many of these agencies if you feel that you need support or we can do so on your behalf (see document below).
Food bank
If you are in financial hardship, you can contact the school for support. You may be in need of short term support from Hambleton Food Share; you can self refer for a food parcel (contact information on attachment below). Should you need long-term help, we can make a referral on your behalf. We deal with all of these matters sensitively and confidentially. You can come to us in absolute confidence.
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