Safeguarding Statement

At SS Philip and James Primary School our Governing Body takes seriously its responsibility under Section 11 of the Children Act and duties under “Working Together to Safeguard Children” to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements exist within our setting to identify and support those children who are suffering harm or are likely to suffer harm.

We recognise that all our staff and governors have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm, and that the child’s welfare is our paramount concern.

Phi & Jim provides a safe, caring, positive and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of each child free from discrimination or bullying where children can learn and develop happily.

 

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined for the purposes of this guidance as:

• protecting children from maltreatment;
• preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical 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.

Child protection is an aspect of safeguarding but is focused on how we respond to children who have been significantly harmed or are at risk of significant harm.

 

The Safeguarding Team

 

Ms Sarah Awuye  (Headteacher) Designated Safeguarding Lead	Miss Kirsty Pape (Deputy Headteacher) Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead	Miss Siobhan Mallon (SEND Lead) Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

 

In addition to the Safeguarding Team, everyone at Phil & Jim has a responsibility to safeguard children.

 

The Raising of Concerns

When a safeguarding concern is raised, our first priority is the welfare of the child. We are required to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our pupils. Where we are concerned about a child we will always aim to discuss our concerns with a parent, unless we believe that such an action would be detrimental to the child’s welfare. In all cases of concern we follow the procedures outlined in our Safeguarding Policy; gaining advice or making referrals to other agencies as appropriate. We work very closely with the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and the Locality and Community Support Service (LCSS) to protect our pupils and support them and their families.

If you are worried about a child’s safety or welfare please do not hesitate to contact one of the designated safeguarding leads at the school.

 

Our safeguarding and child protection policies can be found on the policies page: All staff follow the Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance, which is updated regularly by the DfE.

 

Information Sharing with Other Agencies

At SS Philip and James’ Primary School we consider that a child’s welfare and experience is of paramount importance for their emotional, social and academic progress.  In some circumstances decisions have to be made about sharing personal information with other agencies where the needs of children in our care are compromised.  The most important consideration in sharing information with other agencies is the need to safeguard and protect children.  We follow the ‘seven golden rules’ about information sharing.  These are that:

• The Data Protection Act provides a framework for appropriate sharing of information
• We are open and honest with the individual about whom the information will be shared with
• We seek advice from other practitioners if in any doubt, and will try to do so without disclosing an individual’s identity
• We share information with informed consent, where possible, and share without consent if a child’s safety is at risk
• We base information-sharing decisions on the safety and well-being of the individual or others
• We ensure information is shared in accordance with the principles of information sharing (that the information being shared is necessary and proportionate, relevant, adequate, accurate, timely and secure)
• We will keep a record of any information-sharing decisions and the reasons behind them.

 

Use of ICT and Media Statement

All staff, Governors and visitors understand that ICT includes a wide range of systems, including mobile phones, digital cameras, laptops and tablets.   All of our staff are held to a code of conduct in their work with us.  No staff member is allowed to use social media, phone or e-mail communications directly with a pupil at the school.  Mobile phones will not be used to photograph or record any child at SS Philip and James, nor will any images of pupils at our school be shared via phone, e-mail or personal social media sites.  Images will only be taken, stored and used for purposes within school unless there is parental permission for further release. At the start of each year, our parents are asked to sign a media release form if they agree to their children’s images being used in a broader context, e.g. in our prospectus or in the local media. If a parent does not agree to this, we ensure that their child’s photograph is not used. Filming and photography by parents and the wider community at school events, such as sports days and school productions, are not allowed.

While in school children are able to access the internet, however the school has set firewalls etc. that should limit their access to inappropriate materials.  Children are educated about what to do should inappropriate images, conversation or contact occur while they are using the internet or their mobile phones. Children are also explicitly taught about the dangers of sharing personal information over the internet.  We also highlight the permanence of statements, messages and images sent via the internet – that language and images must be appropriate – and the same rules apply to the use of ICT as apply to the use of school or community space. Find out more on our e-safety page.

All staff, pupils, Governors and visitors using school equipment will not browse, download, upload or distribute any material that could be considered offensive, illegal or discriminatory.  Staff have a duty to report any unsafe or worrying mobile phone or ICT usage they see or hear about to the Designated Safeguarding Lead: Sarah Awuye (Headteacher).

Volunteers working within the school are expected to adhere to all of our policies. Their induction includes an explanation of our expectations of them with regard to their behaviour around the children and their safeguarding responsibilities.

 

Prevent

Prevent is part of the Government’s counter terrorism strategy and schools now have a responsibility to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Please see the Prevent Strategy to find out more.

Our policies on this are regularly updated.  Please see the policies page for more information.

 

Useful Phone Numbers for Parents and Carers

If you have an urgent safeguarding concern about a child please ring Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0345 0507666 or please visit their website 

Staying Safe When School is Closed

If you are worried about anything and want to talk to someone, you can contact Childline by calling 0800 1111