We regard the safeguarding of all pupils as our main priority. Safeguarding is at the centre of our practice and policies. We believe that all pupils have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn and work in partnership with all members of the school community to protect our children from harm. It is the responsibility of everyone who comes into contact with children to keep them safe.
We will ensure that:
- All pupils, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender identity, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual orientation have the right to be safe and protected from harm;
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately;
- All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report any concerns to the designated leads for safeguarding.
Members of Staff Responsible for Safeguarding
At our school, the designated lead for safeguarding (DSL) is the Executive Headteacher Mrs MacDonald and the deputy safeguarding officers are Mrs Lindley, Federation Deputy Headteacher and Head of School and Miss Maud, Pastoral Support Lead.
Areas of Safeguarding
Our safeguarding policies cover all areas of school life and include:
- Staff and Visitors – we ask all staff and visitors to sign in and identification lanyards are issued for visitors to wear whilst they are in school. It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone is vetted, informed and trained. Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow. Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our pupils. All staff and volunteers are given a copy of the relevant documentation outlining safeguarding procedures at our school. They are also referred to the document below 'Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023';
- Safer Recruitment – we follow strict procedures to ensure pupils are safe. On-going checks and ‘whistle-blowing’ are in line with current policy;
- Children’s Behaviour – we promote safe and happy behaviours and lifestyles. This is embedded in our curriculum;
- Parents and Carers – we encourage collaboration and support families.
- Premises – we keep children safe in our environment and ensure it is fit for purpose;
- Curriculum – we provide positive learning experiences and we teach children how to keep themselves safe. Our curriculum is enhanced by visits and visitors e.g. police, fire brigade;
- Online Safety – we work with a number of professionals to ensure that children are knowledgeable about dangers online and how to protect themselves;
- Outside School – we work in collaboration with others to ensure that children work in safe environments and participate in safe activities when out of school.
- We participate in the Year 6 School Health exit questionnaires and use this to help us support our children and families more effectively.
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the safeguarding policy and procedures.
Staff are able to respond appropriately to any:
- significant changes in a pupil’s behaviour; deterioration in general well-being;
- unexplained marks, bruising or signs of possible abuse;
- signs of neglect;
- comments pupils make which may give cause for concern;
All staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
School Safeguarding Statement
The White Rose Federation is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in school. All North Yorkshire schools, including those in the White Rose Federation, follow the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures. The school will, normally, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their child/ren. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents. The school’s child protection policy is available publicly on the websites of our three schools.
Information Sharing
We have an obligation to collect necessary information from parents and carers in advance of a pupil being admitted to school including:
- emergency contact numbers;
- the child’s special dietary requirements;
- the child’s special health requirements;
- information about who has the legal contact with the child and 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.
PARENTS AND CARERS MUST NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY OF ANY CHANGES TO THESE DETAILS.
We explain how your data will be used in our Privacy Notice.
Links with External Agencies
Our first concern must be the well-being of the pupil. There may be some occasions where we liaise with other agencies before we contact parents. The procedures we follow have been laid down in accordance with the Local Authority Child Protection Procedures.
Other agencies we work with include the prevention service, community police, social services, CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), educational psychologists etc. and specialists who support pupils with specific needs.
Please request our complaints policy if you have any comments or complaints about our safeguarding procedures.
How do I report an emergency Safeguarding concern to the authorities?
Anyone can report an urgent concern by calling the Emergency Safeguarding Referral Line for North Yorkshire Council by calling 0300 131 2 131. The Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) will pick this up.
Review of Policy and Practice
Our policies and practice are reviewed at least annually to incorporate the latest statutory guidance and Department of Education information.