Introduction
At West Kidlington PrimarySchool, we are committed to ensuring that our children learn in a safe, nurturing, and secure environment. Safeguarding the children in our care is of paramount importance to us. Our safeguarding and child protection policy outlines how we do this.
Designated Safeguarding Leads
The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is responsible for promoting a safe environment for children and young people. They are the first point of contact for all staff and volunteers to go to for advice if they have a concern about a child’s welfare. The DSL and deputyDSLs (DDSL) all have a higher level of safeguarding training and knowledge than the rest of the staff, which is updated biannually.
Keeping children safe is everybody’s responsibility, and at West Kidlington, we recognise that we all have a key role in ensuring the safety of the children in our care.
West Kidlington Safeguarding Team
If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please do not hesitate to speak to any member of our safeguarding team.The team consists of:
- Jo Simpson - Designated Safeguarding Lead,
- Simon Isherwood - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead,
- Gen Bullen - Safeguarding Team Member
- Heidi Kerry - Safeguarding Team Member.
Safeguarding Password
In order to keep your child safe at times of transition, we use safeguarding passwords. In order to keep your child safe at times of transition, we use safeguarding passwords. When your child starts school you will be asked to give school a password, please enjoy this is memorable to you. When someone that is not known to your child's teacher collects your child they will be asked for this password. Please ensure that this password is passed on to this individual.
Staff Training
All staff and volunteers are trained regularly to ensure they are fully aware of school expectations and key policies and procedures as well as national statutory requirements. School leaders ensure that stringent, safer recruitment practices are adhered to when recruiting new staff.
Reporting Concerns
We will share any concerns we have with parents regarding the welfare of their child, as appropriate. If we suspect a child is suffering from or may be at risk of significant harm we have a duty to refer to social care. If we make a referral to social care, we will inform the parents/carers concerned, unless to do so could place the child at increased risk of significant harm. Our first concern will always be the welfare of the child.
We will advise the Designated Officer For Allegations (LADO) atOxfordshire County Council if we have any concerns about the behaviour of an adult in a position of trust.
We will also contact our LADO if we are worried about any of the following:
- Child sexual exploitation (CSE)
- Cyberbullying
- Children missing education
- Domestic violence
- Substance misuse
- Fabricated or induced illness
- Faith abuse
- Trafficking
- Sexting
- Female genital mutilation (FGM)
- Forced marriage
- Gangs and youth violence
- Gender-based violence/violence against women and girls (VAWG)
- Hate
- Mental health
- Private fostering
- Preventing radicalism
Prevent Duty & Educate Against Hate
As a parent, you may be worried about how extremism and radicalisation might affect your child.
Messages of hate can take many forms. Extremist groups use them to recruit young people. There is a website where you will find information to help parents, teachers, and school leaders to understand the issues and protect children in our community.
For practical advice and information on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation, please see the following
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Female genital mutilation (FGM) refers to procedures that intentionally alter, mutilate, or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is medically unnecessary and can have serious health consequences, both at the time it is carried out and in later life.
FGM is prevalent in 28 African countries and areas of the Middle and Far East, but it is increasingly practiced in the U.K. in communities with larger populations of first-generation immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
FGM is deeply embedded in some communities and is performed for cultural and social reasons. It is usually carried out on girls before they reach puberty, but in some cases it is performed on newborn infants or on women before marriage or pregnancy. It is often justified by the belief that it is beneficial for the girl or woman, but FGM is an extremely harmful practice which violates basic human rights.
The most significant risk factor for girls and young women is coming from a community where FGM is known to be practised and/or where a mother, sister, or other female family member has been subjected to FGM. Practitioners should be aware of this and provide families with advice and information which makes it clear that FGM is illegal.
Please visit the FGM resource pack for more information and guidance.
Safeguarding Key Documents
Out of Hours Support
For out-of-hours support, you can call:
- Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) 0345 0507666
- Childline 0800 111 (24 hours)
- Mind (01865) 263730
- Medical advice 111
- Non-emergency police 101
- Immediate danger? 999
- Samaritans 08457 909090 (24 hours)
- Samaritans Oxford (01865) 722122
Other informative safeguarding links:
- www.nspcc.org.uk
- www.childline.co.uk
- https://youngminds.org.uk/
- Keeping Children Safe – healthy sexual behaviour
- Sexual Behaviours Traffic Light Tool
- Get Safe Online
- www.thinkuknow.org
- www.childnet.com
- www.talktofrank.com
Should you wish to know more about how we safeguard our school community, details can be found in our Safeguarding Policy – there is a link at the top of this page.