At Warren Wood Primary Academy, the safeguarding of our students and staff is of paramount importance. Staff receive safeguarding training on an annual basis and are briefed on the four main categories of abuse and indicators of radicalisation that may impact on our students. Staff are informed on the reporting process to the Safeguarding Team and the impact that disclosures may have. Please take time to read our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for further information. In addition to safeguarding children, we have a duty to safeguard staff in their lives both inside and outside school.
Purpose of our Safeguarding Policy
Our school’s safeguarding policing makes an explicit commitment to the development of good practice and effective procedures, ensuring that safeguarding concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in a way that supports and protects the needs of the child.
There are three main aims to our Safeguarding Policy:
Prevention: by creating a positive school atmosphere and providing high quality teaching and pastoral support to pupils;
Protection: by following agreed procedures and ensuring staff are appropriately recruited, trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Safeguarding concerns;
Support: by providing support for pupils and school staff and for children who may have been or are being abused;
All those working in education can contribute to the safeguarding and protection of the welfare of a child in need.
According to the DfE, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
· protecting children from maltreatment;
· preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
· ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
· taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes
Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility at Warren Wood Primary Academy.
Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
This policy applies to all who come into contact with children at Warren Wood Primary Academy School including:
· Teachers
· Teaching assistants
· Administrative assistants
· Students
· Wrap Around Care assistants
· Midday supervisors/Catering team
· Caretaking and Cleaning team
· Visitors/volunteers
· Adult helpers
· Governors
If you have any safeguarding concerns please contact the school on 01634 401401 and ask to speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team, or send an email to our headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Woodroof: safeguarding@warrenwoodprimary.co.uk
If you are concerned about a child out of school hours, please call Medway Children’s Services on 01634 334466, or contact the police.