Safeguarding

Andrews’ Endowed CE Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that we have a safeguarding culture and have Safeguarding
and Child Protection Policies and procedures in place which are robust in approach and expectation. All staff are trained annually on Safeguarding and we follow this up throughout the year with regular training sessions. Parents
and carers are welcome to read the Policy which is accessible under policies on this website or a hard copy on request. There may be times when we need to share information and work in collaboration with other agencies when there are
concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

Mrs Gemma Gundry

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

Mrs Annie Vincent and Miss Alison Daffey

Our Designated Safeguarding Governor is:

Mrs Jessica Armstrong-Field

What to do if you are concerned…

Adults have a responsibility to share any concerns they have, even when they may have some doubts as to whether a child is being harmed. If you are concerned about a child speak to someone. This might be a health visitor, nursery staff, teacher, family
doctor, social worker or police officer. If you have a concern about a child’s welfare, please contact the school office so that it can be arranged immediately to talk with the DSL. Alternatively you can call Hampshire Children’s
Services on 0300 5551384 or the Police. If your concerns relate to the actions or behaviour of a member of staff please ask to speak to a DSL in confidence, who will refer the matter to the Headteacher (or the Chair of Governors if
the concern relates to the Headteacher). Clear protocols and procedures will be followed.

All other staff are trained to identify and report any concerns they have to the designated safeguarding officers. This training is updated annually. As a school we use CPOMs as a reporting tool. 

Keeping Children Safe in School

Keeping Records

In line with good practice records are kept of:

• Discussions/observations with a child,
• Discussions/observations with a parent,
• Discussions/observations made by school staff,
• Decisions and actions taken (signed and with time and date noted).
• All confidential records are kept securely.

Making Referrals

Anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare can make a referral to a local authority children’s social care service. Referrals can come from the child themselves, professionals such as teachers, the police, GPs and health visitors
as well as family members and members of the public. Local authority children’s social care has the responsibility to clarify with the referrer the nature of the concerns and how and why they have arisen.

Curriculum

Through all areas of the curriculum we encourage children to think about how to stay safe: At home, crossing the road, out on their own, or on the internet. Regular PHSE lessons or Computing topics can provide especially good opportunities
for children to discuss these issues.

PSHE Table and safeguarding

The Role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body has a duty to ensure that the school meets its statutory responsibilities and ensure the the children and young people attending school are safe.

Attendance

In addition to the statutory responsibility to record the attendance of children it is important that Governors follow up the processes for absence. An important risk factor in abuse and neglect is poor school attendance and tackling
that is a key aspect of managing children’s safety.

Safer Recruitment

A key aspect of safeguarding is the vetting of applicants and prospective volunteers working with children to make sure they are suitable.

Our obligations and duties to protect your children

Under the Education Act 2002 (section 175/157), schools must “make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children”. 

We will endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued.

The school will therefore be alert to signs of abuse and neglect and will follow the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures to ensure that children receive appropriate and effective support and protection.

Parents/carers should know that the law requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. The school should make
parents/carers aware that records of welfare concerns may be kept about their child. They should be informed that school staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with them including referrals to other agencies.
However, in situations where the child is suspected to be at risk of harm, the law says that schools may take advice from other agencies without informing parents/carers.

In accordance with local Information Sharing protocols, we will ensure that information is shared securely and sensitively. Information will only be shared with other services where it is deemed necessary and proportionate to
ensure that children and young people are safe and receive the right service.

Schools will seek advice from Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded. Parents/carers
will appreciate that the member of staff in the school with responsibility for child protection (known as the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Designated Person) was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and
acting in the best interests of all children.

Learn about our policies, procedures, and the dedicated team working diligently to uphold the highest standards of safety.