Safeguarding

SAFEGUARDING OVERVIEW

At Hounsome Fields Primary we understand that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All members of staff, including teaching and support staff will receive annual safeguarding training prior to the school opening.

This covers all areas in the DFE document, Keeping Children Safe in Education (updated September 2023) – including the Prevent Strategy, FGM and Child Sexual Exploitation.

When we appoint the Headteacher they will become our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). They will attend regular training to keep up to date with all issues relating to child protection and safeguarding. The Trust has tight procedures that record issues that relate to child protection. We work with an array of agencies including Children’s Services, the School Nurse and the Police. Additional updates and training are given to staff as needed throughout the year.

Hounsome Fields Primary School - Early Help Offer

The purpose of early help is to prevent issues and problems becoming serious and harmful to a child or young person, their family and community. When children and families need this extra support, they often need it quickly. Hounsome Fields is committed to striving to ensure concerns, no matter how small, are listened to and supported effectively, maximising the chances of effectively safeguarding all of our children.

Vetting Procedures:

All members on the school staff have to have a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service ) in order to work in school. This is regardless of the employee’s role so that cleaners, admin staff as well as teachers must all be checked. In addition, all volunteers and anybody else who has regular contact with children are checked. Visitors to the school either provide their own DBS on arrival or are members of professional bodies who are registered by their employer, such as OFSTED inspectors or Local Authority Employees who have a DBS through their own professional body. Any one off visitor, such as a visiting author either provides their own DBS or signs one of the school’s Occasional Visitors' forms. Parents who help out occasionally on school trips or provide lifts for sporting events sign an Occasional Visitors’ form.

Risk Assessments:

All areas of the school undergo biannual risk assessments. This means that whilst we cannot remove risk we have looked at ways of minimising that risk. These risk assessments are undertaken on areas such as classrooms, halls, playground and the car park. We carry out risk assessments for all educational visits.

In addition, risk assessments are undertaken on special events that might occur in the school.

Security:

The school's secure line is made up of a 6ft fence and the school building. Staff have access to the school by key fob. Visitors can only gain access via the main entrance authorised by Office staff. Access to the school grounds is restricted by locked gates, which are opened at the beginning and end of the day for short periods of time to allow for pick up and drop off. School staff are present when gates are open.

Equality:

The school has an Equality Policy that monitors any possible discrimination in the school in relation to any of the nine protected characteristics (Equality Act 2010). The School also makes annual returns on any racist incidents.

Hounsome Fields Primary School Safeguarding Children Statement

At Hounsome Fields Primary School the Health and Safety of all children is of paramount importance. Parents send their children to school each day with the expectation that our school provides a secure environment in which their children can flourish through our vision of Inspiring Minds Together. We therefore have to ensure that this expectation becomes reality.

If you would like some advice on how to keep your child safe online please see below and the Parent Guide to Online Safety page :

NSPCC Online Safety

NSPCC Share Aware

NSPCC Underwear Rule:

Underwear Rule Parents’ Guide

Underwear Rule Children’s Guide

Thinking of leaving your child at home?

Law on leaving your child home alone (Gov.uk)

Are you worried about Sharing Nudes and Semi-Nudes online? Follow the link below:

UKCIS Guidance

OTHER USEFUL SITES:

NSPCC: E-mail or telephone: 0808 80050000