Safeguarding Key Documents
Introduction
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It means:
- Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment.
- Preventing harm to children's health or development.
- Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care.
- Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.
The Safeguarding Process
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer 'significant harm'. Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation apply to all children up to the age of 18.
In order to ensure the safety of all children in our care, we are required to follow the child protection procedures as agreed by the local authority and TWHF. We will endeavor to share any concerns we may have regarding injuries note or other specific issues regarding the welfare of a child with their parents or carers. We will keep a record of any concerns raised and share them with the parents or carers if it is appropriate to do so. When the child moves schools, these records will be transferred to the new school. We will not keep copies of them.
We do have a duty to refer to social care if we suspect a child is at risk of significant harm. If we make a referral to social care, we will inform the parents or carers, unless doing so would place the child at increased risk of significant harm. We seek and follow advice from the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) anonymously before making any referrals. Our first concern will always be the welfare of the child
Any concerns about an adult in a position of trust should be made directly to the Principal who will advise the Wiltshire Designated Officer for Allegations (DOFA)
Designated Safeguarding Leads
The designated safeguarding lead is responsible for promoting a safe environment for children and young people. They are the first point of contact for all staff and volunteers to go to for advice if they are concerned about a child. This may also need to be available out of hours, so staff and volunteers always know how to contact them, or alternatively a deputy can be appointed. The designated safeguarding lead has a higher level of safeguarding training and knowledge than the rest of the staff and should have completed Working Together to Safeguard Children and Young People. Their role includes supporting staff to assist in information regarding concerns and support decision making about whether staff concerns are sufficient enough to notify children’s social work services or whether other courses of action are more appropriate, such as the completion of an Early Help Approach. (CSWS)
It is not the designated safeguarding officer's responsibility to decide whether a child has been abused or not. That is the responsibility of investigative statutory agencies such as children’s social work services or the police. However, keeping children safe is everybody’s business, and all staff should know who to go to and how to report any concerns they may have about a child being harmed or at risk of being harmed.
The Bowerhill Primary School Safeguarding Team
The school has a designated safeguarding lead (DSL), Mrs Rachael Amor,and two deputy DSLs.
Chris Light - Principal
Rachael Amor - Assistant Principal, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Teacher
Catherine Williams - SENCO, Teacher
Our Safeguarding Work
Appointment procedures ensure that appropriate safeguarding checks are made before adults work with children, and every member of staff takes part in regular child protection training to ensure vigilance in identifying the signs of child abuse.
Our children are taught to recognise child abuse and the actions to take to report it. The NSPCC are often involved in this training for children at our school.
Concerns?
If you are ever concerned about the safety or wellbeing of any child, please speak directly to
- One of the named designated safeguarding leads above.
- A member of the NSPCC safeguarding helpline on 0808 800 5000
- A member of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0300 456 0108