Keeping Children Safe

Our Safeguarding Team

R TuddenhamLead DSL
K BarrettDeputy Safeguarding Lead
H FawcettDeputy Safeguarding Lead
C RodgersLearning Mentor – Safeguarding & Pastoral
R ShepherdLearning Mentor – Safeguarding & Pastoral
After-School Club Safeguarding Lead

What to do if you think a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect

Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. Members of the public, as well as staff in helping agencies, can play a vital role in helping to protect children from abuse or neglect. Whilst the child’s welfare is always the most important consideration, there is also a duty on professionals to work in partnership with parents, to provide support where necessary and to ensure that children remain with their families wherever possible. If any member of the public thinks a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect, they should contact the local Children’s Services (formerly known as Social Services) or the NSPCC National Helpline.

For children who live in Wakefield

If your call is regarding a Child or Young Person who you are worried about, please call or email Social Care Direct. 03458503503 or Social_Care_Direct@wakefield.gov.uk

Alternatively, contact the NSPCC National Helpline Tel: (0808) 8005000

Keeping children safe on-line

It can be hard to know how to talk to your child about online safety. From setting up parental controls to advice on sexting, online games and video apps, the NSPCC can help you to understand the risks and keep your child safe. Click here for more information.

Speak Out, Stay Safe Programme

We have joined the speak out, stay safe programme with the NSPCC, to ensure all our children know who they can speak to if they have a problem.

Night OWLS: new mental health service for children and young people

A new overnight listening and advice service for children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis has launched. Night OWLS is a confidential support line for children and young people in crisis. Helping them and their parents and carers.

The service is available 8pm – 8am every day.

To access the service, call this number free 0300 2003900; text 07984 392700 or chat on www.wynightowls.org.uk.

We are an Operation Encompass School

Operation Encompass is a police and education early information sharing partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. Information is shared by the police with a school’s trained Key Adult (DSL) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident thus enabling appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

Children experiencing domestic abuse are negatively impacted by this exposure; domestic abuse has been identified as an Adverse Childhood Experience and can lead to emotional, physical and psychological harm. Operation Encompass aims to mitigate this harm by enabling immediate support, making a child’s day better and giving them a better tomorrow. Operation Encompass believes that children are victims of domestic abuse in their own right and should be acknowledged as such.

Safeguarding Policies

Advice for Parents

Information and guides for parents.

Further School Safeguarding Information

Medicine administration

On a voluntary basis the school will, within resources available, endeavour to supervise pupils in the administration of medicines. This is conditional to parents requesting and completing a ‘Medicine administration form’.

Most staff are first aid trained with additional training on the use of epi-pens and inhalers. Staff are also trained for specific medical support on an individual basis as and when required.

School uniform

Please remember, no flip flops, high heels or crocs; all long hair is tied back; only one pair of studs are permitted and these must be removed by the child for P.E.

School absence

School must be informed before 9.00am of a child’s absence from school. Please ring the dedicated absence line.Where we have received no notification of absence we may do a home visit.

Dedicated professionals

Please be respectful of all staff and pupils. Treat others as you would like to be treated – it’s a team effort.

Site Safety

The school has clear boundary fences and gates that provide a safe space for the children to play and learn. At around 9:15am each morning, the school gates are locked. Pupils arriving after this time will need to enter the school by the Main Reception/Visitor Entrance where they will be registered and asked about lunch arrangements. Parents collecting pupils from school for appointments or due to ill health should also enter this way after securing permission from the Headteacher via the appropriate permission form. In this way, access to the classrooms and the playground is secure throughout the day.

Whilst the school encourages children to cycle and scooter to and from school, we ask that pupils wear protective helmets and that they dismount before entering school premises. Riding bikes or scooters on school ground is not permitted.

Dogs are not permitted on school grounds. We ask that they are left at home rather than tying them to a fence or lamp post as this can cause distress to both passing pupils and the dog.

Children are not permitted to climb on play equipment or use balls before or after school to reduce accidents and injuries due to the number of people in the vicinity. Please be respectful of school playtime equipment stored in Elderberry Lodge which is intended for use only during school playtimes.

Nut Free School

We are a ‘nut free school’ – a number of our children have severe allergies to nuts and so nuts are not permitted as snacks, as peanut butter or in biscuits/snack bars.

We have a no smoking policy and this applies to our building and playgrounds/fields.

All school trips are risk assessed and have to be authorised by the school Headteacher. Risk assessments are also carried out for sporting events and visits and visitors.