Safeguarding and child protection is at the heart of everything we do at Meanwood Church of England Primary School.  Safeguarding is underpinned by three principles:

1. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All staff, governors and volunteers in school play their part in keeping our children safe and so protecting them from any safeguarding concerns.
2. All staff, governors and volunteers have a clear understanding of safeguarding and know exactly how to identify abuse and neglect in all forms. They have a good understanding of how to respond and report any disclosures made by children.
3. The children are our priority, and they know who they can go to if they have any worries or concerns.  Staff will always listen to children and have a clear understanding of their needs, wishes and views.

The school’s designated safeguarding leads will deal with any safeguarding concerns you may have as a matter of priority.

Safeguarding Children – Information for Parents

At Meanwood Church of England Primary School, we believe that all children have the right to be safe and treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. We work effectively with outside agencies to ensure this happens. We have robust systems in place to protect children in order to safeguard their welfare. Safeguarding in school is a wide area and also includes: the physical environment of the school building and land, a wide range of practices and procedures, as well as close liaison with other agencies.

As part of our continued safeguarding role, the PSHE curriculum throughout school covers areas to help children understand how they can help to keep themselves and others safe. Our scheme of work is carefully considered and includes work on drug and alcohol misuse, bullying, cyber safety, personal safety, consent, friendships, secrets, NSPCC PANTS, NSPCC Speak Out, Stay Safe programme, inappropriate touching, relationships, internet security etc. Clear messages are given to children about how they can report such incidents.

We are committed to monitoring and listening to our children to identify possible problems in school and outside of school. Where there are concerns about a child, we have a duty of care to share with the relevant agencies/authorities. These may include the police, social care and the health service to ensure that children in danger 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 endeavour to work closely with these families and help to provide the right support at the right time.  We may signpost to other agencies who may be able to offer the help and support that is required.

It is important for parents/carers to be aware that:

All staff have a duty of care to report any safeguarding concerns to a designated safeguarding lead.

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

In some cases, the school is obliged to refer children to children’s social care staff, 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/carers of the child, and the situation and concerns will not be a surprise to the parents/carers.

However, parents/carers may not be told that the school has referred their child to children’s social care if it is thought that this might put the child at risk.

If school staff need to express concerns about a child or refer a child to children’s social care, it is appreciated that this can cause distress or anger for the child’s parents/carers. It is important however that all parties – parents/carers 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 social care also tries to carry out its enquiries sensitively. It has to gather information with parents/carers about the steps being taken and it is therefore beneficial that discussions are as open and as constructive as possible.

Prevent Radicalisation and Extremism by Acting Early

If you are worried about someone who is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could lead to them harming themselves or others.  Act early and share your concern.  Please click on the link below for further information.

www.actearly.uk

Further Information for Parents

• Advice and Guidance for Prevent and Countering Extremism in Young People
• Operation Encompass (Domestic Violence and Abuse) – Letter to Parents
• Domestic Violence and Abuse Contact Card
• Prevent Strategy Information
• Physical Chastisement
• Child’s Screen Time
• Keeping your child safe on TikTok
• Twitter Guidance
• PS4 Guidance
• Snapchat Guidance
• WhatsApp Guidance
• XBox Guidance

Useful Websites

https://www.getsafeonline.org/

https:www.childline.org.uk

https://parentzone.org.uk/

Believe in children | Children’s charity | Barnardo’s (barnardos.org.uk)

Let’s stop abuse together – Stop Abuse Together

https://www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services-a-z/0-19-health-and-wellbeing/chathealth/