St Andrew's C of E Primary School

Safeguarding at St. Andrew's

 

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Contact: Miss Hassall

Email: head@st-andrews.manchester.sch.uk

 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Contact: Mrs Cliff

Email: l.cliff@st-andrews.manchester.sch.uk

 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Contact: Ms. Wright

Email: j.wright@st-andrews.manchester.sch.uk

 

Safeguarding children - Information for Parents

 

At St. Andrew’s C.E. Primary School, we believe that it is of the utmost importance to have robust systems for protecting children and safeguarding their welfare, throughout all the activities which the school undertakes. All our pupils have a right to be safe and to be treated with respect and dignity and we work effectively with outside agencies to ensure that this is the case. Safeguarding is "EVERYBODY’S" responsibility.

 

Safeguarding in school is a very wide area which covers all aspects of keeping children safe at all times.  It includes the physical environment of the school buildings and site, a wide range of practices and procedures, and close liaison with a range of other agencies.

 

As part of our Safeguarding role, we teach all children how to keep themselves and others safe (at an age-appropriate level). Our PSHCE curriculum includes work on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Bullying, Personal Safety, Inappropriate touching, Secrets, Healthy Relationships, Cyber Bullying and On-line Safety etc. Children are also given clear information about how to report things they feel uncomfortable about.

 

We are committed to monitoring and listening to all our pupils to identify possible problems. Where there are serious concerns about a child’s safety, we will share our concerns with the relevant authorities.

 

We work closely with other agencies such as the Police, Children’s Services and Health Professionals to ensure that children at risk of harm are identified and kept safe.

 

From time to time, families may find themselves in difficulties which could prove detrimental to their children. We will also work closely with those families so that they are supported to ensure their children’s safety and well-being and signpost them to other agencies who may be able to offer help and support.

 

It is important for parents to be aware that:

Staff and volunteers in the school have a duty to report concerns about a child, whether this means the child may need additional support or help of some kind or whether it is thought that a child may have been abused or be at risk of abuse.

 

There are four categories of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional and neglect.

 

In some cases, the school is obliged to refer children to Children’s Services, for children to be assessed for their needs or if an investigation into possible child abuse is required. In many cases, there will already have been discussions between school staff and the parents of the child, and the situation and concerns will not be a surprise to the parents.

 

However, in some circumstance’s parents may not be told that the school has referred their child to Children’s Services if it is thought that this might put the child at further risk.

 

If school staff need to express concerns about a child or refer a child to Children’s Services, it is appreciated that this can cause distress or anger for the child’s parents/carers. It is important however that all parties – parents and school staff – try to discuss these matters as reasonably as possible so that the best interests of the child can be secured.

 

Children’s Services endeavour to carry out its enquiries sensitively. They have to gather information with parents about the steps being taken and it is therefore beneficial that discussions are as open and as constructive as possible.

 

What to do if you are concerned about a child:

If you have any serious concerns about your child or any other pupil at St. Andrew’s C.E. Primary School, please do not hesitate to contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead or one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads in school. They will know who to contact for the best advice and help and are experienced in using the appropriate degree of confidentiality. You can find our contact details at the top of this page.

 

Please refer to our Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy – see link below

 

ONLINE SAFETY

Please be vigilant on the websites and apps your children are using and check their privacy settings to ensure they are not at risk of speaking to or engaging with inappropriate adults or children. If you feel there is a situation that is not appropriate, call the police immediately.
 
If you identify any on-line websites or individuals through social media promoting terrorism and extremism, please log these with the police and the government portal. www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

 

For additional support and guidance in relation to online safety, please follow the links below:

 

NSPCC - www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/talking-child-online-safety/

CHILDNET - www.childnet.com

CHILDLINE - www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/staying-safe-online

INTERNET MATTERS - www.internetmatters.org/advice/

CEOP - www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/ - (Report online abuse)

THINK YOU KNOW - www.ceopeducation.co.uk/ (Protecting children online)

 

 EARLY HELP SUPPORT

Effective Early Help is essential to improve the life chances of Manchester’s children, young people and their families. The aim of the Manchester Early Help Service is to build capacity in communities that will prevent crime, support education and enterprise, and keep children, young people and their families healthy and safe.  We aim to do this by working with other agencies and directly with people from local communities.  

 

Our Early Help support includes advice and guidance around housing concerns, support with completing forms, parenting concerns, benefits issues, referrals to local foodbanks, pre-loved school uniform provided by the local church (St. Peters), help with childcare issues or attendance concerns and signposting to other local services.

 

If you would like to discuss in more detail our offer of Early Help, please contact Ms Hassall, Mrs Cliff, Ms Wright or Mrs Butt.

 

The link below will take you to the "HELP AND SUPPORT MANCHESTER" website where you can access further information:

hsm.manchester.gov.uk/kb5/manchester/directory/home.page

 

 

 FOR YOUR INFORMATION, WE USE THE FOLLOWING SAFEGUARDING GUIDANCE TO ENSURE THE BEST INTERESTS OF YOUR CHILDREN:

 

PREVENT STRATEGY - www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-prevent-duty-safeguarding-learners-vulnerable-to-radicalisation

EDUCATE AGAINST HATE - www.educateagainsthate.com/

OPERATION ENCOMPASS - www.operationencompass.org/what-we-do

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN EDUCATION - www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2

WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN - www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2

FORCED MARRIAGE - www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage

FGM - www.nasuwt.org.uk/advice/equalities/under-represented-groups/women/female-genital-mutilation-fgm.html

NSPCC - "PANTS RULE" - https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/schools/pants-teaching

OTHER USEFUL LINKS:

COST OF LIVING SUPPORT - www.manchester.gov.uk/xfp/form/2064

HOMELESS / HOUSING SUPPORT - www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200117/homeless_people

SHELTER (housing support) - www.shelter.org.uk/

POPS (partners of prisoners) - www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk/

WOMENS AID (domestic abuse) - www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/

MENS ADVICE LINE (domestic abuse) - https://mensadviceline.org.uk/

HONOUR BASED VIOLENCE - https://karmanirvana.org.uk/get-help/what-is-honour-based-abuse/

KNIFE CRIME - www.gmp.police.uk/police-forces/greater-manchester-police/areas/greater-manchester-force-content/c/campaigns/2019/Amnesty-bins/

CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION - https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/feelings-behaviour/safety-wellbeing/what-is-county-lines-drug-trafficking/

CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION - www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/professionals/resources/cse-toolkit-supporting-parents-carer/

VAPING - https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/feelings-behaviour/safety-wellbeing/im-worried-about-my-child-vaping/

 

Parents / carers - please ensure you are connected to ClassDojo. Regular advice, guidance and updates for parents/carers are shared on this platform in addition to what you see on our website. Please contact the school office for further advice around how to get connected.

St. Andrew's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Operation Encompass Information for Parents

What to do if you are concerned about a child

Children and young people have the right to grow up safe from harm or abuse. If you are worried about a child or young person, please contact one of the designated leads above. 

NSPCC - Support for Parents