Safeguarding

Safeguarding Children at Walsh C of E Infant School

Safeguarding is everyone’s business—It could happen here

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is:  Helen Wall, Deputy Head Teacher

 

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) are:

      Pete Bailey               Vicky Brett           Beverly Hemmings                      

        

Safeguarding Statement

Walsh Memorial CE Infant School recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children under Section 175 of the 2002 Education Act and under the Children Act 2004 and the DfE guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children 2016.

This includes checking the suitability of all staff and volunteers; ensuring that we have effective procedures for identifying and managing all issues likely to cause significant harm to children; ensuring a safe environment in which our pupils can learn and develop; enabling our pupils to acquire the relevant knowledge and information; and working with other agencies as appropriate. Further information can be found in our Safeguarding and Child Protection policy.

Safeguarding of Pupils

At Walsh Memorial CE Infant School we understand that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All members of staff, including teaching and support staff receive annual safeguarding training.

“Safeguarding is Everyone’s Business,  It could happen here”

This covers all areas in the DFE document, Keeping Children Safe in Education (updated September 2022) – including the Prevent Strategy, FGM and Child Sexual Exploitation.

Mrs Wall, Mr Bailey, Mrs Brett and Mrs Hemmings, are the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL/DDSL) and they all attend regular training to keep up to date with all issues relating to child protection and safeguarding. The School has tight procedures that record issues that relate to child protection. We work with an array of agencies including Children’s Services, the School Nurse and the Police. Additional updates and training are given to staff as needed throughout the year.  The named Safeguarding Governor is James Hanson.

Vetting Procedures:

All members on the school staff have to have a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service ) in order to work in school. This is regardless of the employee’s role. In addition all volunteers and anybody else who has regular contact with children are checked. Visitors to the school either provide their own DBS on arrival or are members of professional bodies who are registered by their employer, such as OFSTED inspectors or Local Authority Employees who have a DBS through their own professional body.

Security:

Staff have access to the front door by security code. Visitors can only gain access by gate release authorised by Office staff. The school site is secure by a metal fence, all gates are checked and securely locked by a padlock. All fire exits are either twist lock or bar push exits.

Equality:

The school has an Equality policy that monitors any possible discrimination in the school in relation to any of the nine protected characteristics (Equality Act 2010). The School also makes annual returns on any racist incidents.

At Walsh Memorial CE Infant School the Health and Safety of all children is of paramount importance.

Further information is contained within our Safeguarding policy WMIS SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION 2023 2024

We have signed up to the NSPCC – Speak out and stay safe programme.

If you would like some advice on how to keep you child safe online please see our online safety page

 

NSPCC Underwear Rule:

Underwear Rule Parents Guide

Underwear Rule Children’s Guide

OTHER USEFUL SITES:#

Children’s Single Point Access  (CPSA)    0300 470 9100

NSPCC: E-mail or  telephone: 0808 80050000

CHILDLINE: Telephone: 08001111

PACE: (Parents against child exploitation) Tel: 0113 240 3040