Designated Safeguarding Lead - Headteacher (Miss MacArthur)
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead - Deputy Head (Mr Steer)
Safeguarding Governors - Mrs Nikki Stevens
Additional Safeguarding Leads - Pastoral and Welfare Team (Mrs Faithfull, Miss McGoey, Mrs Marsh)
The Willows Primary School takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in its care.
“The welfare of the child is paramount”. (Children Act 1989)
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.
All schools have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Staff play an important part in safeguarding children from abuse and neglect by early identification of children who may be vulnerable or at risk of harm and by educating children, about managing risks and improving their resilience through the curriculum. All schools should create and maintain a safe environment for children and young people, and should be able to manage situations where there are child welfare concerns.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
There are six main elements to our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures:
- Ensuring the Governing Board have effective oversight of all Safeguarding procedures and practice within the school
- Ensuring the practice Safer Recruitment processes in line with national legislation, by using at least one suitably trained recruiter on all interview panels, and ensuring the completion of all necessary checks for Staff, Governors and volunteers.
- Providing robust Safeguarding by following agreed procedures, and ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to child protection concerns. Also by raising the awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
- Ensuring the establishment of a whole school Safeguarding culture in which children can learn and develop and staff feel confident to respectfully challenge actions that conflict with the code of conduct . This can be achieved by the creation of a positive school ethos, effective behaviour support, effective teaching, and the pastoral support offered to pupils.
- Recognising and supporting pupils who may have been abused by another child, including, bullying, sexual assault and harassment and exploitation. Providing effective support to all those involved in the abuse and work towards a restorative outcome.
- Ensuring effective whistleblowing and allegation management procedures.
Private Fostering
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a ‘close relative’. This is a private arrangement made between a parent and a carer, for 28 days or more. Close relatives are defined as step-parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles or aunts (whether of full blood, half blood or marriage/affinity).
If you have knowledge of what you suspect is a private fostering
arrangement please visit www.westberks.gov.uk/privatefostering
where you will find more details and our on-line notification form or
phone The Contact, Advice and Assessment Service on 01635 503090
or email: child@westberks.gov.uk
Private Fostering Leaflet
The Willows Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy for Schools
Whistleblowing Policy