Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child. Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) DfE Safeguarding includes the establishment and implementation of procedures to protect children from deliberate harm, however, safeguarding also encompasses all aspects of pupils' health, and safety and well-being.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
- Protecting children from maltreatment;
- Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development;
- Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. (Children includes everyone under the age of 18)
Key Contacts at school are:
Mrs Claire Roberts - Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Mrs Amanda Allen - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr Ed Roe - Safeguarding Governor
Safeguarding Commitment
Kirkby Malham School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in our school. We will protect and support all our children including our vulnerable children, children who need support through early help, children in need and children who have a child protection plan. We recognise that children who are abused may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth and to view the world in a positive way. Whilst at school, their behaviour may be challenging. We recognise that some children who have experienced abuse may harm others. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support all of our pupils. We will adopt a child-centred approach to our work, we will act in the best interests of our children, and we will ensure that everyone is aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. The school will, normally, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents or carers about their child or children. However, there may be circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures and in line with Part 2 of KCSIE). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents. This school’s child protection policy is available publicly via our website and a paper copy is available from the school office on request: [email protected]
Multi-agency working in North Yorkshire
Our school works in partnership with the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NYSCP). Our school has a pivotal role to play in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements NYSCP, and contributes to multi-agency working in line with the statutory guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’.
The three statutory safeguarding partners (North Yorkshire County Council, Health, and Police) have made arrangements to allow all schools and colleges in the local area to be fully engaged, involved and included in the new safeguarding arrangements. As a named as a relevant agency we are under a statutory duty to co-operate with the published arrangements.
THE SCHOOL IS AWARE OF AND WILL ALWAYS ACT IN LINE WITH THE NYSCP POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND PRACTICE GUIDANCE
How We Keep Our Children Safe
Safeguarding includes the establishment and implementation of procedures to protect children from deliberate harm. Safeguarding also encompasses all aspects of pupils' health, safety and well-being. At Kirkby Malham Primary School, we have a number of policies and procedures to keep our pupils safe. An outline of these documents is listed below and can be read in full by clicking the links at the bottom of the page.
Child Protection and Safeguarding Training
Each year, staff and governors undertake child protection and safeguarding training so that we know the best way to keep our children safe.
For our Child Protection Policy - please see the link at the bottom of the page.
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 /Officer (known as key Adult) 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.
Information is shared with a school’s Key Adult (Designated Safeguarding Lead or Officer) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
Expectations for Staff, Volunteers and Governors
Staff, volunteers and governors are expected to uphold the highest standards of behaviour. These standards are made explicit through our Codes of Conduct and Responsible Use of ICT document/Acceptable Use Policy; all staff, governors and volunteers are required to read and abide by these codes. There are procedures in place so that staff, volunteers and governors are able to report concerns about any aspect of safeguarding in school.
Safety and Wellbeing
The ethos of our school underpins the way we promote the safety and wellbeing of all our children. There are high expectations for behaviour and clear policies for Behaviour and Anti-Bullying. Kindness and respect for each other are the key principles of our school rules. Through our curriculum, pupils are taught how to stay safe on-line and how to develop healthy relationships. Mental well-being is promoted and pupils are able to access support from school staff who have been trained through Compass Phoenix. Pupils who require medication or adaptations for specific health needs or other special needs are welcomed and supported.