Safeguarding

Harvington C.E. First and Nursery School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent, effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, children and staff at school.

We follow procedures set out by the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board (WSCB) and adopt the guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE).

Safeguarding Procedures and Cause for Concern

Our first priority is a child’s welfare and as such, we recognise the need to provide a safe environment and to take reasonable action to ensure the safety of all our children.  The school, through its curriculum, promotes safeguarding by teaching how to children can stay safe, how to protect themselves and how to take responsibility for their own and others’ safety. The school has clear policies and these are shared below.

However, there may be occasions when we have reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill-treatment or other forms of abuse and are therefore at risk of harm.  We will always discuss these concerns with his/her parents or carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.  In these cases, school is obliged to follow the Child Protection procedures detailed in the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy below and will inform Children's Services of the concern.

Staff are also trained in Operation Encompass. This is a process where the police and county council will inform a member of staff if a child or young person has experienced any domestic incident. This will be done prior to the start of the next school day. Information sharing between professional agencies allows school staff to provide emotional and practical support to their pupils experiencing domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can broadly be defined as ‘any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour; violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who have been intimate partners or family members. This can include but is not limited to the following types of abuse – psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional’. Please see the information letter below.

If you are concerned about a child’s safety or well-being, or would like to know more about Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures at Harvington C.E. First and Nursery School please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Fishbourne, Mrs Enstone or Mrs McCaugherty by phoning 01386 870412 or by emailing the office: office@harvington.worcs.sch.uk 

If you would like further information about keeping your child safe, please click on the links below. Please also look at the Home School Link (Mrs McCaugherty's section on this website too (under the parents tab):

Safeguarding Policies and General Advice:

N.S.P.C.C.

Help for adults concerned about a child: NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000

Safety:

Sexual Abuse and Exploitation:

Online Safety:

Domestic Violence and Abuse:

Radicalisation - how you can help others.

Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. If you are worried someone close to you is becoming radicalised act early and seek help. The sooner you reach out, the quicker the person you care about can be protected from being groomed and exploited by extremists.

Police forces across the country have specially trained Prevent officers who work with professionals in health, education, local authorities and charities, as well as faith and community groups to help vulnerable people move away from extremism. They are here to listen and offer help and advice. Receiving support is voluntary.

Friends and family are best placed to spot the signs, so trust your instincts and share your concerns in confidence.

They can help if you act early. You won't be wasting police time and you won’t ruin lives, but you might save them.  

To find out more about how to help someone close to you please visit the link below:

The Local Authority Safeguarding Officer (LADO) - Contact Number: 01905 846221