Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils is embedded into the culture of the school and its everyday practice and procedures.
At Hawksworth CE Primary School we take notice of and adhere to all the national and local policies and guidance in regard to Safeguarding Children and Young People. The Governors and staff fully recognise the responsibilities and duty placed upon them to have arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils at the school. We recognise that all staff, including volunteers, have a full and active part to play in protecting pupils from harm. We believe that our school should provide a safe, caring, positive, and stimulating environment in which pupils can learn and which promotes the social, physical and emotional well-being of each individual pupil.
If you have concerns about the safety or well-being of any member of our school community then please contact our schools Designated Safeguarding Officers:
The school's Designated Safeguarding Lead is the Headteacher, Mr D. Norris.
The nominated Deputy: Assistant Headteacher, Mrs Oliver.
The school's link Safeguarding Governor is Mrs J. Archdale.
Safeguarding DSL/DDSL/Governor leaflet for visitors to school - Link
Our current school Child Protection Policy is reviewed annually and endorsed by the Governing Body. Our Child Protection Policy is followed in conjunction with statutory guidance in all our safeguarding arrangements.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2023/24 - Link
Prevent Duty Departmental Advice - Link
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 - Link
School Professional Training
All staff have regular Safeguarding and Child Protection Training. There are regular updates and reminders at staff meetings/Monday morning briefings and this is in order to ensure that staff are kept abreast of new initiatives and legislation.
School Guidance and Procedures
All Staff, Governors and Volunteers have read and noted the statutory guidance – Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022. The school raises Safeguarding and Child Protection concerns with parents / carers at the earliest appropriate opportunity and ensures that all staff are given appropriate training in Safeguarding and Child Protection issues, as recommended in the guidance.
Safer Recruitment Training
At Hawksworth CofE Primary School we ensure that safer recruitment remains a priority under our safeguarding arrangements. Key leadership staff and governors have been trained in safer recruitment and all adults who work with children must have Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) clearance. Designated members of staff will be released to receive regular enhanced training to enable them to carry out their roles effectively.
Safer Recruitment Policy - Link
Online Safety
All children in school receive regular teaching about Online Safety as part of our computing curriculum and in any area of the curriculum where they will be using a computer.
Ethos
It is the duty of the school to ensure that every child and young person in its care is safe. Within our computing curriculum we promote the 4Cs classification that recognises that online risks arise when a child is:
- Content: Being exposed to harmful content online
- Contact: Harmful interaction online
- Conduct: Personal online conduct that causes or increases the likelihood of harm
- Commerce: Risks such as gambling, phishing, or scams
All staff have a responsibility to support E-safe practices.
This expectation also applies to any voluntary, statutory and community organisations that make use of the school’s ICT/ Computing facilities and digital technologies.
E-Safety Policy for staff working in educational settings - Link
Prevent Strategy
As part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government's Prevent Strategy, and take guidance from teaching approaches to help build resilience to extremism.
What is the Prevent Strategy?
The Prevent strategy is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It:
- responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views
- provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support
- works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health)
Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation
Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is part of the schools' wider safeguarding duties. At Hawksworth CE Primary School we explore these issues through assemblies and PSHE work on tolerance, respect, diversity and equality.
The government has launched a website which provides practical advice for parents, teachers and school leaders that will help to protect children. The website was created in response to calls from parents and teachers for more information and advice about spotting signs of radicalisation and where they can turn to for further support. Educate Against Hate - Link
Definitions and Indicators
Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind. Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views.
Procedures for Referrals
Although serious incidents involving radicalisation have not occurred at Hawksworth CE Primary School to date, it is important for us to be constantly vigilant and remain fully informed about the issues which affect the region in which we teach. Staff are reminded to suspend any professional disbelief that instances of radicalisation ‘could not happen here’ and to refer any concerns through the appropriate channels (currently via the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Headteacher).
We believe that it is possible to intervene to protect people who are vulnerable. Early intervention is vital and staff must be aware of the established processes for front line professionals to refer concerns about individuals and/or groups. We must have the confidence to challenge, the confidence to intervene and ensure that we have strong safeguarding practices based on the most up-to-date guidance and best practice.
The Designated Leads for Child Protection and Safeguarding and the Headteacher will deal swiftly with any referrals made by staff or with concerns reported by staff.
The Headteacher will discuss the most appropriate course of action on a case-by-case basis and will decide when a referral to external agencies is needed.
Please click the links below to access the information:
Prevent Duty Departmental Advice - Link
Links
In school, we have regular 'e-safety' activities to remind children of the importance of keeping themselves safe online:
Based on Galvin Scott Davis' novel Dandelion, Daisy Chain is a charming animated story which tackles the issues brought up by cyber-bullying:
