IN THIS SECTION
At West Walker Primary School, we understand that it is our responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of the children entrusted into our care, by establishing a safe environment in which children can learn, achieve and transform. We understand that ensuring the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility and have clear systems in place to ensure our procedures are highly effective. All policies and procedures in reference to Child Protection are formally reviewed each year.
The designated safeguarding leads in school are; Nichola Draper (Head Teacher), Lyndsey Warren (Pupil Welfare Officer), Claire Blair (Deputy Head) and Megan Scorgie (SENDCo) who provide support to staff members to ensure they can effectively carry out their safeguarding duties and liaise with other services as and when necessary. We invest in Clennell Education Solutions which provides support and advice to school about behaviour and safeguarding.
All staff members have annual safeguarding and child protection training and are aware of the referral process they should follow if they have a concern about a child’s welfare. We have a thorough Safeguarding Induction for all new staff and volunteers.
We are aware of our responsibilities to closely monitor the progress, achievement and emotional well-being of all children including those Looked After Children and children with SEND. We also have clear policies and procedures for children missing or at risk of becoming missing from education.
For further information please refer to the following school policies:
E-Safety
At West Walker Primary School, we actively promote and monitor E-safety. We have regular E-safety audits to ensure children and staff are aware of the online dangers. All pupils, staff and visitors to school must read and sign our Acceptable Use Policy before any access to our systems is allowed. All usage is monitored by specialist software and this is backed up by a robust firewall and web filtering. Pupils are taught how to stay safe online and this is regularly reinforced in computing and PSHE lessons.
The school is already working to help keep children safe online, and to teach pupils about using technology safely. However we all have a role to play, and parents can help us by:
- Learning about the benefits and risks of using the internet and other technologies that your children use
- Discussing e-Safety concerns with your children
- Showing an interest in how they are using technology
- Encouraging them to behave safely and responsibly when using technology
- Modelling safe and responsible behaviours in your own use of technology
Watch the video below to find out more about keeping your child safe online.
Safeguarding procedures for all visitors including parents
We always look forward to people visiting our school. All visitors are required to read our safeguarding leaflet on entering, a copy of this document is below.
If you have any safeguarding concerns and wish to talk to someone, please contact the school office by calling 0191 2624130 or emailing adminwestwalker@neatat.org.uk and request a meeting with one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Child Protection
As a school, we follow our safeguarding policy (link above) in order to comply with our statutory duties. All staff and visitors must report any concerns they have about a child using the appropriate tools (CPOMS [Child Protection Online Monitoring System] or initial concern forms). Accurate monitoring and recording allows DSLs to build up a picture of a child and access support for them at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, a referral to Children’s Social Care is justified. All concerns, discussions and decisions made, and the reasons for those decisions will be recorded in writing on the school’s CPOMS.
Early Help
Early help is organised early intervention to provide support as soon as a problem emerges at any point in a child’s life. If Early Help is appropriate, our DSLs will generally lead on liaising with other agencies including Early Help staff and setting up an inter-agency assessment, as appropriate. Staff may be required to support other agencies and professionals in an Early Help assessment and, in some cases, where education is the fundamental factor, act as the lead practitioner. Early Help assessments will be kept under review and referred to Children’s Social Care for assessment if the child’s situation does not appear to be improving or is worsening.
Attendance
As a Parent/Carer you have a legal responsibility for your child’s attendance, please support us by ensuring that your child attends school regularly. Failing to attend school on a regular basis will be considered as a safeguarding matter. Any absence affects the pattern of a child’s schooling and regular absence will seriously affect their learning. As a NEAT school we comply with the NEAT attendance policy. West Walker Primary School staff will endeavour to support all of our Parents/ Carers to ensure children are in school. Failure to comply with the attendance policy will result in Fixed Penalty Notices from the Local Authority.
Health & Safety
We work hard to ensure that our site is as safe as possible. Regular Health and Safety audits take place to ensure we are adhering to legal requirements. Staff closely supervise the children in all areas of the school and they are visible and available to talk to at all times. The grounds are checked by the Site Manager every day. The premises are accessible to pupils, parents and staff with disabilities. We carry out regular fire alarm and evacuation tests along with Lock Down drills.
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
Operation Encompass aims to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in a domestic abuse incident. As an Operation Encompass school, West Walker Primary will be alerted of any incident the following day. Following an incident at home, children can arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day. Newcastle Council, the police and DSLs in school work together to make sure that school staff are made aware of an incident early enough to support pupils in school.
More information can be found here: operationencompass.org
Prevent
PREVENT is part of the Government’s counter terrorism strategy CONTEST, it aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. All staff have been trained in PREVENT as vulnerable young people can be susceptible to radicalisation and recruitment into terrorist organisations. As a school we have a duty under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Section 26), to prevent children and young people from being drawn into terrorism.
British Values are embedded throughout our curriculum from EYFS to KS2, these values are;
- Democracy
- Rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths
British Values were introduced to help keep children safe, promote their welfare and counter extremism. Further information about British Values can be found in the Learning and Achievement section of our website.
More information can be found below:
Child on Child Abuse
At West Walker Primary School we have a zero-tolerance approach to child on child abuse. All staff have been trained on recognising the signs and indicators of child on child abuse, and this type of abuse will never be accepted or dismissed. Child on child abuse includes, but is not limited to:
- Physical and sexual abuse
- Sexual harassment and violence
- Emotional harm
- On and offline bullying
- Teenage relationship abuse
- Grooming children for sexual and criminal exploitation
More information can be found by visiting:
gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment refers to any ‘unwanted conduct of a sexual nature’ and can occur online or offline, inside and outside of the school context. At West Walker Primary School, we have a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment. All staff receive training and our safeguarding policy directly responds to the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance around sexual harassment.
County Lines
County lines is a form of criminal exploitation where urban gangs persuade, coerce or force children and young people to store drugs and money and/or transport them to suburban areas, market towns and coastal towns (Home Office, 2018). It can happen in any part of the UK and is against the law and a form of child abuse. All staff at West Walker Primary School have been trained in spotting the signs and indicators of this.
More information can be found by visiting:
The following websites also provide safeguarding information:
Harbour
Harbour works with families and individuals who are affected by abuse from a partner, former partner or other family member.
If you or someone you know is being abused or being abusive to others then use our website to learn about the help which is available.
Keeping Children Safe in Education:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education–2
Northumbria Police Prevention through Education Team
“Our goal is to help keep young people safe and prevent them from becoming victims and perpetrators of crime by delivering tailored, interactive learning sessions whilst also building a positive relationship with police.”
https://beta.northumbria.police.uk/advice-and-info/parents-and-kids/education/
Gov.uk – Safeguarding Children
Schools, colleges and children’s services : Safeguarding children – detailed information – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
NSPCC
What is Child Abuse & How to Keep Your Child Protected | NSPCC
Safeguarding children and child protection | NSPCC Learning
Online safety
Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
Young Minds
YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds
ThinkUKnow
CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk)
Childnet
Parents & carers | Childnet