Safeguarding and Child Protection

 

Child Protection Statement

We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils.  We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.

The procedures contained in our policy apply to all staff, volunteers and governors of Broomhill Junior School and are consistent with those of Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP).

 

Definition of ‘safeguarding’

‘Keeping Children Safe in Education, DfE, 2023, defines safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children as:

‘Protecting children from maltreatment; preventing impairment of children’s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. ‘Children’ includes every one under the age of 18’.

 

 

Safeguarding at Broomhill Junior School

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. School staff are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating. Schools and their staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children working with social care, the police and health services both to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

 

Every school is required to have a Senior Designated Safeguarding lead or (SDSL). At Broomhill this role is undertaken by Mr Beckinsale-Yates - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead  (DSL) is Mrs Price and Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Duffin . The SDSL has a legal duty and responsibility to follow the law as outlined in the school's 'Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy'.  At times the SDSL, DDSL and DSL have to undertake difficult conversations and would be negligent in their role if they did not follow up on any potential safeguarding concerns identified. The responsibilities of a DSL are:

• Making sure all staff are aware how to raise safeguarding concerns
• Ensuring all staff understand the symptoms of child abuse and neglect
• Referring any concerns to Children's Social Care (Formerly Children's Social Services)
• Monitoring children who are the subject of child protection plans
• Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records

 

Below are the school policies related to Safeguarding and Child Protection.

• Anti Bullying Policy
• Behaviour and Discipline Policy
• E-Safety and Acceptable Use Policy
• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
• Staff Code of Conduct
• Children Missing in Education- Statutory Guidance
•  Whistleblowing

PREVENT POLICY STATEMENT

  

Broomhill Junior School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

 

AIMS AND PRINCIPLES

 The main aims of this policy statement are to ensure that staff are fully engaged in being vigilant about radicalisation; that they overcome professional disbelief that such issues will not happen here and ensure that we work alongside other professional bodies and agencies to ensure that our pupils are safe from harm. The principle objectives are that:

• All Staff and Governors will have an understanding of what radicalisation and extremism are and why we need to be vigilant in school.

• All Staff and Governors will know what the school policy is on anti-radicalisation and extremism and will follow the policy when issues arise.

• All parents and pupils will know that the school has policies in place to keep pupils safe from harm and that the school regularly reviews its systems to ensure they are appropriate and effective.

 

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 Broomhill 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).

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 Safeguarding Lead will deal swiftly with any referrals made by staff or with concerns reported by staff.

The DSL 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.

 

THE ROLE OF THE CURRICULUM

Our curriculum promotes respect, understanding and diversity. We are committed to ensuring that our pupils are offered a broad and balanced curriculum that aims to prepare them for life in modern Britain. Children are encouraged to share their views and recognise that they are entitled to have their own different beliefs which should not be used to influence others. Our PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education), Citizenship and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) provision is embedded across the curriculum, and underpins the ethos of the school.  Teaching the schools’ core values alongside the fundamental British values supports quality teaching and learning, whilst making a positive contribution to the development of a fair, just and civil society. Children are regularly taught about how to stay safe when using the Internet and are encouraged to recognise that people are not always who they say they are online. They are taught to seek adult help if they are upset or concerned about anything they read or see on the Internet.

 

ROLE OF GOVERNING BODY

The Governing Body of our School will undertake appropriate training to ensure that they are clear about their role and the parameters of their responsibilities as Governors, including their statutory safeguarding duties. The Governing Body will support the ethos and values of our school and will support the school in tackling extremism and radicalisation. In line with the provisions set out in the DfE guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020’ the governing body will challenge the school’s senior management team on the delivery of this policy and monitor its effectiveness. 

  

 

RECRUITMENT

The arrangements for recruiting all staff, permanent and volunteers, to our school will follow Nottinghamshire’s guidance for safer recruitment best practice in education settings, including, but not limited to, ensuring that DBS checks are always made at the appropriate level, that references are always received and checked and that we complete and maintain a single central record of such vetting checks. We will apply safer recruitment best practice principles and sound employment practice in general and in doing so will deny opportunities for inappropriate recruitment or advancement. We will be alert to the possibility that persons may seek to gain positions within our school so as to unduly influence our schools character and ethos. We are aware that such persons seek to limit the opportunities for our pupils thereby rendering them vulnerable to extremist views and radicalisation as a consequence. Therefore, by adhering to safer recruitment best practice techniques and by ensuring that there is an ongoing culture of vigilance within our school and staff team we will minimise the opportunities for extremist views to prevail.

We have two Governors who are trained in safer recruitment. These are Andrew Beckinsale-Yates and Sue-Ellen Dabell.

 

STAFF TRAINING

Through INSET opportunities in school, we will ensure that our staff are fully aware of the threats, risks and vulnerabilities that are linked to radicalisation; are aware of the process of radicalisation and how this might be identified early on.

Our school’s Policy also draws upon the guidance contained in the “Nottinghamshire Child Protection Procedures” and DfE Guidance “Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2023”; and specifically DCSF Resources “Learning Together to be Safe”, “Prevent: Resources Guide”, “Tackling Extremism in the UK”, DfE’s “Teaching Approaches that help Build Resilience to Extremism among Young People”. 

 

PROCEDURE FOR PREVENT REFERRALS:

Any colleague with concerns will speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. The concern will be logged and a timeline started. The Nottinghamshire Prevent Coordinator will be contacted.

 

USEFUL NUMBERS/WEBSITES:

Prevent Duty Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance

Channel Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/channel-guidance

 

 

We regularly discuss safeguarding with your children to ensure that they know school is a safe and secure place to learn. We work closely with the NSPCC who deliver workshops and assemblies helping children to keep themselves safe.

 

Working together to help prevent abuse and keep children and young people safe.

The NSPCC offer a wide range of resources to help parents, carers and others members of the community, to ensure that they are able to meet their safeguarding responsibilities:

• NSPCC Helpline – Parents , carers and members of the public can contact the NSPCC helpline whenever they’re worried about a child by calling 0808 800 5000, emailing help@nspcc.org.uk, texting 88858* or contacting us online at nspcc.org.uk/ helpline. The helpline is free, available 24/7 and calls can be made anonymously. This service can also be used for general advice and guidance
• Need-to-Know Guides - Further information on a range of issues can be accessed through a series of guides. These include leaving children home alone, holding babies safely, and spotting signs of abuse and neglect.www.nspcc.org.uk/leaflets
• PANTS – The Underwear Rule: Talking PANTS teaches children important messages, like their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they're upset or worried. Using age appropriate language, PANTS allows parents to have difficult conversations around sexual abuse without even mentioning the word ‘sex’.https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/
• ShareAware: The internet is a great place for children to be and ShareAware makes it safer. ShareAware provides straightforward, no-nonsense advice to help untangle the web and empowers parents and cares to have conversations with their children about staying safe online and through social mediahttps://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
• NetAware: Net Aware is an online tool that informs parents about the social networks, apps and games that children might be using. We looked at the frequency of inappropriate content, how robust and easy to find the privacy settings are, and why children like using the sites. We regularly update Net Aware with new apps, and parents can sign up to Net Aware newsletters to keep up with digital trends.www.net-aware.org.uk
• NSPCC/O2 Online Safety Helpline: This helpline provides practical, technical advice including parental controls on electronic devices, adjusting privacy settings, understanding social networks, and information about online gaming. 0808 800 5002