Our school is committed to safeguarding children and promoting children’s welfare and expects all staff, governors, parents, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment and maintain a vigilant and safe environment.
We are always reviewing and seeking to improve our practice in all areas of school life. In May 2022, we undertook a review of our Safeguarding Practice which was led by School Improvement Liverpool.
Please read the report below which states that, ‘Safeguarding is a a strength of the school.’
Everyone has a responsibility to act without delay to protect children by reporting anything that might suggest a child is suffering from any kind of neglect or abuse. We ask that any concerns in regard to the health, happiness and safety of any child is reported to one of our Designated Safeguarding Officers.
VISITORS INFORMATION
Our Safeguarding Officers are:
Mrs Maddocks – Acing Head Teacher
Mrs Kerr – Acting Deputy Head /Head of Early Years
Mrs Harris – Learning Mentor
Ms Mahony – Wraparound Manager
School Telephone Number: 0151 477 8815
Any member of the public can contact their local authority ‘Safeguarding Children Board’ directly to raise concerns about any child and believe they may be at risk of harm.
Knowsley Residents call the MASH team on 0151 443 2600.
Liverpool Residents call Careline- 0151 233 3700.
or Call the Police on 999 if you believe there is an emergency and a child is at risk of immediate harm.
Useful Documents and Information
OPERATION ENCOMPASS
Operation Encompass is a scheme which operates across Merseyside to ensure schools are informed immediately of any domestic incidents which may involve their pupils. By 9.00am on the next school day the school’s Key Adult will be informed that the child or young person has been involved, heard or witnessed a domestic incident. This knowledge, given to schools through Operation Encompass, allows the provision of immediate early intervention through silent or overt support dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
The Key Adults in school are Mrs Maddocks , Mrs Harris., Mrs Kerr and Ms Mahony
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
Female Genital Mutilation, often referred to as FGM, comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs. It is illegal in the UK and a form of child abuse with long-lasting harmful consequences.
If we suspect a child or adult has been a victim of FGM, we will report this to the police
If you have any concerns you would like to discuss, please contact one of our designated safeguarding officers named above.
PREVENT
All schools and colleges are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (the CTSA 2015), in the exercise of their functions, to have “due regard16 to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.17 This duty is known as the Prevent duty. ‘ (KCSIE 2018)
If we are concerned that a child may be drawn into radicalisation, we will contact Safeguarding services for advice and support and a referral to ‘Channel’ may be made.
INTERNET SAFETY
Using the internet is part of our daily lives and many of our children use the internet to watch videos, play games and learn about the world around them.
Top Tips for Keeping Children Safe Online
(From www.saferinternet.org.uk)
1. Be engaged. Talk regularly about how they use technology. Use it together.
2. Be aware. Explore the online features of the devices you already own in your family and the devices you might buy for your child in the future. Knowing how to activate and use parental controls can help protect your child from seeing inappropriate content online.
3. Be there. Allow children to use internet devices where you are present. Encourage your child to always tell you if they see something which upsets or frightens them.
Top Tips for Children using the Internet
1. Be the change. Always be kind and respectful.
2. Be sensible. Always tell an adult if something worries or upsets you.
3. Be careful. Don’t share your address, phone number or email.
4. Be a detective. Always ask an adult to check out information or sites first.
5. Be safe. Never agree to meet up with something you have met online.
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2021/i-am-parent-or-carer
Some useful websites
- www.thinkuknow.co.uk
- www.saferinternet.org.uk
- www.nspcc.org.uk
- 10 Internet Safety Tips – Staying Safe Online | SWGfL
- https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
SAFETY AND APPS
Increasing numbers of children use apps on phones and tablet to communicate with people. The following information shared by Merseyside Police will help parents decide which apps are safe.