Safeguarding

It is every school’s statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, as outlined by the DFE in it’s publication “Keeping Children Safe in Education.” This means that a school must protect children from maltreatment, prevent impairment of children’s health or development, ensure that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care and take action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

At Elmridge Primary School we ensure that everyone who comes into contact with children and their families is clear on the role that they play in safeguarding children. Elmridge Primary School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children, staff and visitors. In addition, we promote an ethos where children and adults feel confident about sharing their concerns about their own safety or the well-being of others.

Our Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs R Bolton – Principal

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

Mrs R Stevenson – Acting Vice Principal

Miss L Aspinwall – Acting Assistant Vice Principal

Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Operation Encompass

Our school is part of a project, which is run between Trafford Local Authority, schools and Greater Manchester Police. The project called Operation Encompass, has been designed to provide early reporting of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside school, which might have an impact on a child in school. This is communicated through a secure email to school following an incident.

The project ensures that at least one member of the school staff, known as the Key Adult, is available to liaise with children’s services and the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence.

In this way, we aim to support each child who has been involved in, or witnessed, a domestic abuse incident.

If they receive an Encompass notification they will make sure that a person the child trusts is available to help – if the child needs this. Most of the time this support is silent; keeping a careful eye on him or her and making sure the child has a calm school day. The confidential information is ordinarily not shared with all staff, just an agreement on how to help, if needed.

All schools have a duty to share any information with other organisations if they feel a child is at risk of being hurt. The Key Adult may contact other organisations.

The sharing of information from the police allows the school to be ready to help your child straight away, and it means that parents are aware that the Key Adult knows that something has happened. Parents can come and talk to our Key Adult. The Key Adult can point you towards other people that can help.

CPOMS

All staff use CPOMS to report safeguarding concerns. It provides a safe and secure platform for sharing and storing information.

Useful Contacts

• CHILDLINE: 0800 1111  free confidential helpline for children and young adults
• NSPCC: 0800 800 5000  free 24 hour national helpline for information and confidential advice about all types of problems
• Barnados: 020 8550 8822 works to transform the lives of vulnerable children and young people
• Kidscape: 020 8830 3300 – produces leaflets and booklets on bullying and runs a helpline
• LGBT Foundation: 0345 330 30 30  runs a helpline to support people who identify as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans-gender
• National Domestic Violence: 0808 200 0247 Free 24 hour helpline. Gives information on housing, welfare, health and legal rights, refers women and children to refuges, makes referrals to temporary emergency accommodation and helps to get support from the police
• Stonewall: helpline 0800 050 2020 working for equality for LGBT people
• ThinkuKnow: A CEOP programme that helps with online safety thinkuknow.co.uk
• UK Safer Internet Centre: 0844 381 4772 e-safety helpline for professionals working with children
• Young Minds: helpline: 0808 802 5544 support for people with concerns about the mental health of a young person

If You Are Worried About a Child Outside of School

The safety and well-being of children is everyone’s responsibility. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child outside of school, it is important to act. You do not need to be certain that a child is at risk to share your concerns.

What should I do?

If you have concerns about a child’s safety or well-being outside of school:

• If a child is in immediate danger or needs urgent help, call 999 immediately.
• If your concern is not an emergency but you believe a child may be at risk of harm, contact Trafford Children’s Social Care service. They can listen to your concerns, provide advice, and take appropriate action where needed.
• You can also speak to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who can offer guidance and, where appropriate, help you access the right support services.

What kinds of concerns should I report?

You should seek advice or report concerns if you are worried that a child may be:

• experiencing neglect or abuse;
• witnessing domestic abuse;
• struggling with their mental health or emotional well-being;
• at risk of exploitation or online harm;
• living in unsafe or unsuitable circumstances; or
• otherwise vulnerable and in need of support.

Remember, it is always better to share a concern than to say nothing. Professionals can assess the situation and determine what support, if any, is needed.

Confidentiality

Your concerns will be taken seriously and treated sensitively. You do not need proof that a child is being harmed to report your worries. Sharing concerns promptly can help ensure that children and families receive the support they need at the earliest opportunity.