Safeguarding
At Shipton Bellinger Primary School we foster a culture where children come first so that we always act in the best interests of pupils to protect them online and offline. We are proactive in identifying pupils who may need early help or who are at risk of harm or being harmed. So that:
- all our pupils are safe and protected from harm
- safeguarding procedures are in place to help pupils to feel safe and learn to stay safe
- adults in the school community are aware of the expected behaviours and the school’s legal responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and child protection.
This is implemented by:
- leaders, governors and staff create a positive culture and ethos where safeguarding is an important part of everyday life. This demonstrates safeguarding is our priority.
- we apply the content of our safeguarding policies and procedures thoroughly, efficiently and consistently
- support staff have a good understanding of safeguarding risks to children, and evidence that they know what to do if a child is at risk of harm
- we ensure we work well with the local authority and other agencies, for example, in making referrals and supporting children who have a multi-agency plan in place
- ensure the proper recruitment checks have been carried out for staff, volunteers and governors working in the school. At least one senior member of staff and/or governor responsible for recruitment is qualified in Safer Recruitment Procedures.
- we consult children regularly about how safe they feel and educate them to understand safeguarding risks online and off line.
Shipton Bellinger Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We will fulfil our local and national responsibilities as laid out in the following key document:
All staff and regular visitors/volunteers receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training annually and on induction. Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow. Staff training is delivered via a variety of means: face to face in and out of school training, online refreshers and information raising, document sharing and on-going professional dialogues during staff meetings. Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children and their concerns are discussed and handled appropriately. All volunteers are asked to complete an application form and enhanced DBS checks are carried out as well as reference checks. Volunteers complete an Induction Process which includes relevant safeguarding training.
Who to speak to if you are concerned
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Miss Bev Seed (Headteacher)
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Mrs Warland, Mr M Main, Mrs E Webber, Mrs M Chapman
Safeguarding Governor: Capt Charlotte Ralph
If you wish to raise concerns, please contact the above staff members using 01980 843369 and request to speak to them with a safeguarding matter. Alternatively, you can request a call by emailing adminoffice@shiptonbellinger.hants.sch.uk and marking it as confidential. Should you feel your concern has not been dealt with effectively, please refer to our complaints policy.
The key safeguarding responsibilities within each of the roles above are set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024)
If you have any serious concerns about your child or any other pupil at Shipton Bellinger Primary School, please do not hesitate to contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead who knows who to contact for the best advice and help and is experienced in using the appropriate degree of confidentiality.
The most up-to-date policy can be found on our Policies page.
For the best interests of all our children we use the following safeguarding measures:
Cause for Concern
All staff and volunteers are asked to report any causes for concern to either Bev Seed, Liz Lawrence or Angela Budd through submitting a concern on CPOMS. All staff receive child protection training every 3 years, or sooner if required. Concerns may range from children being visibly upset to persistent lateness to children disclosing concerns.
Attendance
All lateness and absences are recorded by the Senior Admin Assistant. Reasons will be sought for all absence or lateness. Attendance is monitored through these systems and referrals to the Safeguarding Team, including the Education Welfare Officer can be made. Parents will always be informed of concerns around attendance at the earliest point. If attendance concerns continue the school will refer to the Education Welfare Officer. There will be no authorised ‘Leave From Learning’, only in exceptional circumstances.
E-Safety
We support our pupils’ use of the internet and seek to underpin their knowledge of safe use and protection. We provide our pupils with an awareness of how to stay safe online both in the school environment and beyond. We believe that children should adhere to the certification given to games, DVDs etc. All of the games and DVDs used at school will be rated as U.
To find out more about how to keep children safe on the Internet, follow this link: http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
Facebook/Social media sites
Children of primary age are not entitled to use Facebook. Children will not be using social media sites during school hours. We also ask parent/carers not to name school, staff or other children on SMS or Social Media sites. We have strict policies around keeping children safe and request that parents complete photo permissions forms with regard to the use of images of their child. We request that all parents adhere to this especially when attending school events such as performances or family assemblies.
Prevent Duty
All teaching staff have completed the Prevent Training through Channel and as a result of this, staff are vigilant around ensuring all members of the school (including parents/carers) feel part of the school community. Promoting healthy relationships both within and outside of school is an embedded aspect of our school ethos. This includes promoting participating in groups within the local community such as Rainbows, Beavers, local sports clubs and the local Church. We also teach the children about the importance of enjoying healthy friendships through Anti-Bullying week, SCARF PSHE and assemblies. At Shipton Bellinger Primary School we celebrate diversity.
Safeguarding in our Curriculum
Safeguarding is at the forefront of all we do, this includes within the learning taking place within our school. Each half term we assign a safeguarding theme to fit alongside our wider curriculum offering. Within the curriculum we support our children in how to keep themselves safe. This includes teaching about Internet Safety, Sun Safety, Water Safety, Beach Safety, Fire Safety and Stranger Danger. Our children know that they can talk to the adults in school about any concerns and that it is our job to keep them safe. We have a 'safe' theme each half term in our assemblies, where children can explore all of these different areas. Our medium term planning, also makes reference to the teaching we are undertaking to support the safeguarding of all stakeholders. Each half term, we allocate collective reflection time to the safeguarding theme and discuss what this means to each of us. Alongside this, safeguarding updates are shared regularly with the home via the newsletter
Below are some useful links which can provide useful and impartial information.
NSPCC online safety
ThinkuKnow
If you have any concerns outside of school hours, or feel it more appropriate to make a referral to Social Services directly, please contact Hampshire Children’s Services 0300 555 1384.
The most up-to-date policy can be found on our Policies page.