Safeguarding Statement – Keeping Children Safe at West Kirby Primary School
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs E Bailey
Deputy Safeguarding Leads: Mrs T McCann, Mr M Procter and Mrs H Catt
Safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, which can be viewed in the Statutory Information section on our website.
At West Kirby Primary School our pupils’ welfare is our paramount concern. We promote safe learning environments through robust safeguarding processes and practices, and ensure our staff and Governors are effectively and regularly trained. The Staff and Governing Body will ensure that our school will safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils and work together with other agencies to ensure that our school has adequate arrangements to identify, assess and support all children. We recognise that some children may be more vulnerable than others.
We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection, and children are made aware of trusted adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Our children are taught how to keep themselves safe and we maintain an environment where they feel confident to approach any member of staff if they have a worry, concern or problem.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with their parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.
At WKPS we commit to Safeguarding by…
- Having a named Safeguarding Link Governor, who also has a wealth of safeguarding experience.
- Having trained DSL’s across the school, who retrain every two years.
- Keeping fully informed, up to date and knowledgeable about Safeguarding.
- Ensuring all staff, supply staff and volunteers have enhanced DBS checks as part of the recruitment procedures and are made aware of our safeguarding policies & procedures during their induction.
- Ensuring all staff annually attend face to face safeguarding CPD as part of their CPD and have on-going regular updates in response to the needs of the children. Staff also complete Prevent Safeguarding CPD.
- Prevent Radicalisation and Extremism is part of training for staff and encouraging British Values is part of the curriculum at West Kirby Primary school.
- Ensuring at least one member of staff on the interview panel during recruitment processes has attended the Safer Recruitment training within the last 5 years. In addition, we have a Safer Recruitment and Selection Policy. Strict child protection and recruitment procedures operate and all appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS Checks.
- Ensuring all visitors to school are signed in at The School Office and accompanied by a member of staff whilst in school. Regular visitors who have had an enhanced DBS checked and completed a full induction do not always have a member of staff with them.
- Visiting professionals/supply staff are asked to show photographic identification prior to entering school and their DBS. Details will be confirmed by their employer.
- Ensuring all adults who collect children from school at any point in the school day must be on the contact/collection list in the office. If it is somebody different collecting a child, parents should inform school as soon as possible.
- Providing all permanent members of staff with photographic ID, which also allows secure access into school.
- Ensuring all entry points into the building are safeguarded adequately to prevent anybody getting onto site.
- Maintaining a first day response is in place for all children that are absent from school. Initially, this would be a phone call home, followed by a home visit if required.
- Planning and delivering a PSHE and RHE curriculum that teaches the children how to look after themselves, how to keep safe and identify trusted adults beyond the family to confide in and talk to if and when needed.
- Digital Awareness/Online Safety is taught within the Computing Curriculum and the PSHCE curriculum, which includes RHE. Regular reminders are in place and aspects are continually referred back to during a variety of lessons and assemblies.
- Staff employed at West Kirby Primary School focus on the wellbeing of the children and are aware of the need to listen to and respect the views of all.
We regularly refer to Guidance from the NSPCC – The underwear Rule, which you can view here. Talk PANTS & Join Pantosaurus - The Underwear Rule | NSPCC
ChildLine : Confidentiality promise | Childline
Telephone: 0800 1111 (free) The ChildLine number won’t show up on your phone bill if you call from a landline or from most mobile networks.
If a child or young person is at risk of harm or abuse please report it to the Wirral Integrated Front Door (IFD)Team. As a school when we have an questions, concerns or information to share IFD is our first port of call - more information can be found in our Safeguarding policy. All staff have a professional responsibility to safeguard the children.
If you need help yourself you can also use these numbers.
Monday to Friday:9am to 5pm
Telephone: 0151 606 2008
Outside of these hours
Telephone: 0151 677 6557
Email: ifd@wirral.gov.uk
Worried about a child? | www.wirral.gov.uk
Operation Encompass
In conjunction with Merseyside Police, West Kirby Primary School is involved in an initiative called Operation Encompass.
The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in, heard, or witnessed a domestic abuse incident. Following such an incident, children can arrive at school distressed, upset, worried and unprepared.
Operation Encompass aims to ensure that appropriate school staff (called key adults) are made aware early enough to support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe and included.
At West Kirby Primary School the key adult is Mrs E Bailey (Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead).
This is a valuable initiative that means we can continue to support and help children and families within our school community when they need it most.
You can find out more by visiting www.operationencompass.org or by contacting Mrs E Bailey.