Safeguarding and Child Protection
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is best defined as: “protecting ALL children under the age of 18 from maltreatment and abuse”
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children at Firthmoor Primary School is everyone’s responsibility. Members of the public as well as staff and visitors to school play a vital role in helping to protect children. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy applies to all adults, including volunteers, working in or on behalf of the School and it is expected that everyone working in or for our School shares the responsibility to keep children safe from harm.
In order to protect our children, we aim to establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to. We train staff to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse. We respond quickly and effectively to cases of suspected abuse and monitor and support children at risk. In accordance with our Safeguarding Policy, if we feel that a child is at significant risk of harm, a referral will made to Children’s Services.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2024
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 – Part 1
Safeguarding Notice for Visitors
Safeguarding – Allegations against Staff Statement
If you suspect that a child may be at risk, or if you have any concerns about the safety or well-being of a child, you can contact any of the following:
Firthmoor Primary School Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL):
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Helen Ashton, Headteacher
Deputy Safeguarding Leads: Mrs Victoria Morrow (Deputy Headteacher) and Miss Dawn Murray (Deputy Headteacher)
Designated Teacher for looked after and previously looked after children
Mrs Helen Ashton, Headteacher
Darlington Borough Council Safeguarding Board
Local Authority Designated Officer: Liz Best – 01325 405319 / 07717 301557
Secure email: designatedofficer@darlington.gov.uk
Children’s Access Point (CAP)
Telephone: 01325 406222 E-mail: childrensaccesspoint@darlington.gov.uk
Website: http://www.darlingtonsafeguardingboards.co.uk/
Police
Non-urgent enquiries 101, Emergency calls 999
NSPCC – 0808 800 5000 or visit https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/report-abuse/
Operation Encompass
Operation encompass has been introduced in schools and academies throughout County Durham and Darlington, and supports children and young people affected in any way by domestic abuse. The project is a collaborative initiative involving Durham Constabulary, Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council and schools and academies in the area. The scheme provides a method of sharing information between the police, local authorities and schools. Following an incident at home, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day. The scheme enables designated Key Adults within the school, Mrs Ashton and our Inclusion Officer, to be provided with information to support the child when they arrive in school.
For more information about Operation Encompass, please click the link to read the document below.
Safer Recruitment
All employees of the school, including volunteers, are subject to Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service checks. When recruiting staff, at least one member of the panel has completed Safer Recruitment Training. Pre-employment checks completed include the right to work in the UK.
School Security
The school has a very effective security system, which includes a key fob entry system. All staff and visitors to school are required to sign in and out of the register and are required to wear identification badges.
Mobile Phones and Devices
Mobile phones and portable devices are not allowed to be used in school. Visitors and staff are requested to switch off their devices when they arrive on site and and instructed to not use them in the presence of children. If a phone call is expected they are advised to only use their phone in designated areas away from children.
Use of Mobile Phone and Devices
Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation
This is part of our wider safeguarding duty. The Academy will intervene where possible to prevent vulnerable children being radicalised. Varying forms of communication and access to the internet has become a major factor in radicalisation and the recruitment of group members. As with all other forms of abuse, concerns should be reported to the Academy’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, or alternatively you can contact:
Police Prevent Team: (office hours) 0191 375 2234
Non-urgent enquiries 101, Emergency calls 999
If you want to report suspicious activity you can call 101 or the police anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. If there is an immediate threat to life or property call 999.
If you are concerned that someone is vulnerable to radicalisation you can report it in confidence to the Police PREVENT team on 101 or by completing a referral form and emailing it to FIMUNorth@CTPNE.police.uk
Preventing extremism in schools and children’s services:
Helpline – 020 7340 7264 or email counter.extremism@education.gov.uk.
For education staff and governors to raise concerns relating to extremism directly and in confidence
- if you are concerned about extremism in a school or organisation that works with children
- if you think a child might be at risk of extremism.
To report illegal information, pictures or videos found on the internet www.gov.uk/report-terrorism. Anti-terrorist Hotline: 0800 789 321. Further information can be found at https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/
Protecting Children from Extremism and Radicalisation Policy (PREVENT)
Useful resources:
