Safeguarding

Introduction

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It means:

  • Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment.
  • Preventing harm to children’s health or development.
  • Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care.
  • Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.
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The Safeguarding Process

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer ‘significant harm’. Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.

In order to ensure the safety of all children in our care, we are required to follow the child protection procedures as agreed by the local education authority and the academy trust. We will endeavour to share any concerns we may have regarding any injuries noted or other specific issues regarding the welfare of a child with their parents or carer. We will keep a record of any concerns raised and share them with the parents or carers if it is appropriate to do so. When the child moves schools, these records will be transferred to the new school. We will not keep copies of them.

We do have a duty to refer to social care if we suspect a child is at risk of significant harm. If we make a referral to social care, we will inform the parents or carers concerned, unless to do so would place the child at increased risk of significant harm. Our first concern will always be the welfare of the child. We will also advise the designated officer of the local education authority that a referral has been made.

Our Safeguarding Team

At Seend C of E Primary School, our designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is Holly Chivers.

Our deputy designated safeguarding lead's (DDSL) are Emma Hembury (Principal) and Gill Brindley (SENDCO).

The named governor responsible for safeguarding is Chris Downham.

If you are ever concerned about the safety or well-being of any child, please speak directly to:

  • One of the named safeguarding leaders above.
  • A member of the NSPCC safeguarding helpline on 0808 800 5000.
  • A member of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 0300 456 0108.

Other Aspects of Safeguarding

Safeguarding is an extensive subject that covers many different areas of child protection. Below are a few safeguarding resources that you may find useful.

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Prevent Duty & Educate Against Hate

As a parent, you may be worried about how extremism and radicalisation might affect your child.

Messages of hate can take many forms. Extremist groups use them to recruit young people. There is a website where you will find information to help parents, teachers, and school leaders to understand the issues and protect children in our community.

For practical advice and information on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation, please visit Educate Against Hate

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to procedures that intentionally alter, mutilate, or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is medically unnecessary and can have serious health consequences, both at the time it is carried out and in later life.

FGM is prevalent in 28 African countries and areas of the Middle and Far East, but it is increasingly practiced in the U.K. in communities with larger populations of first-generation immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

FGM is deeply embedded in some communities and is performed for cultural and social reasons. It is usually carried out on girls before they reach puberty, but in some cases it is performed on newborn infants or on women before marriage or pregnancy. It is often justified by the belief that it is beneficial for the girl or woman, but FGM is an extremely harmful practice which violates basic human rights.

The most significant risk factor for girls and young women is coming from a community where FGM is known to be practised and/or where a mother, sister, or other female family member has been subjected to FGM. Practitioners should be aware of this and provide families with advice and information which makes it clear that FGM is illegal.

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