At Green Lane CE Primary School our first and foremost priority is keeping our children safe. Safeguarding is very important to us – we have a secure system for logging any concerns about children and every member of staff has access to this and our volunteers know who to speak to if they have any concerns of their own.
We identify those children we think are most vulnerable, these could be pupils with a social worker or those who are looked after and we track any incidents or concerns relating to them closely.
Parents or the public in general may also have concerns and if they do we would urge them to call First Contact in Durham where trained workers are on hand to discuss those concerns, do not leave it up to somebody else to make that call – if you have a worry or a concern make that call.
The number for First Contact in Durham is: 03000 267 979
As a school we ensure that:
- The welfare of the child remains paramount
- All children and adults whatever their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion, belief, sex or sexual orientation have the right to be protected from harm
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
Members of Staff Responsible
We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe with staff and volunteers urged to log a concern with First Contact if they feel it necessary to do so. As a school we have a Designated Lead for Safeguarding: Mr R Goffee
Our other safeguarding leads are: Mrs N Linsley, Mrs A Hartley and Mrs C Maughan
The academy council member with responsibility for safeguarding is Mrs Frances Stenlake and each term she meets with Mr Goffee to review the systems we as a school have in place and to recommend any changes that may be needed.
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.
- Intimate Care – guidelines for if we need to clean or administer medication
- E-safety – how we protect and how you can protect your children online
- Premises -keeping them safe, pleasant & fit for purpose.
- Curriculum -providing positive, life affirming learning experiences.
- Outside School- ensuring safer activities and environments outside school.
Staff Training
- All school staff and volunteers are trained yearly in child protection and safeguarding using the updated policy that comes out every September from Durham County Council.
- Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children.
- All Staff & Volunteers are given a copy of the up to date Safeguarding Policy, available for viewing in the policies section of this website.
- Issues relating to Prevent are updated with staff on a yearly basis so they are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation.
Safer Recruitment
We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. Mr Goffee, Chair of Academy Council the Rev Canon Alec Harding and Mrs Frances Stenlake have been trained in Safer Recruitment.
Safeguarding Policy
All staff and volunteers receive yearly updates to support their understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedures 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. We take confidentiality very seriously. Any information which we hold is treated as confidential and shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis. The school’s Data Protection Policy is available for viewing under the policies section of our website.
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.
Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership
Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership (DSCP) is a statutory body which is independently chaired and consists of senior representatives of all the principal agencies and organisations working together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in the County.
Details of Durham SCP can be found here and provide an excellent resource for both parents and professionals.
Review of Policy and Practice
In order to ensure that best practice is maintained, our policies are reviewed regularly to incorporate the latest statutory guidance.
If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact the school for all our policies or view our policies section on our website.
