Safeguarding & Online Safety
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals and the general public 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. (Keeping Children Safe in Education – DfE)
At St Anne Line Infant School we are very proud of the ethos and atmosphere that our staff and children have worked hard to create. All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to protect them and to provide a safe environment in which they can learn and achieve their full potential. However, there are key people within schools and the Local Authority who have specific responsibilities under child protection procedures. In school we have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), as well as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads and a Designated Safeguarding Governor.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputies
The designated safeguarding lead takes lead responsibility for managing child protection referrals, safeguarding training and raising awareness of all child protection policies and procedures. They ensure that everyone in school (including temporary staff, volunteers and contractors) is aware of these procedures and that they are followed at all times. They act as a source of advice and support for other staff (on child protection matters) and ensure that timely referrals to Essex Children’s Social Care (Family Operations Hub) are made in accordance with current SET procedures. They work with the local authority and other agencies as required.
Our Designated Safeguarding Team are:
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Melanie Clayton
Deputy DSL: Mrs Gutteridge
If you have any Safeguarding concerns you can contact the DSL or DDSL on office@salinf.org and mark the email URGENT Safeguarding.
The School office is manned daily during term time 01268 524263.
If you are concerned that a child is at risk of immediate significant harm, the first action is to call 999.
If you have concerns about adults that work with children contact the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) on 03330 139 797
To seek child protection advice if you have concerns for the safety or well being of our children contact the Children and Families Hub on 0345 603 7627.
All school staff
Everyone in our school has a responsibility to provide a safe learning environment in which our children can learn. All staff members are aware of the local early help process and our role in it. They are aware of signs of abuse and neglect so they are able to identify children who may be in need of help or protection. All staff members are aware of and follow school processes and are aware of how to make a referral to Social Care if there is a need to do so. If staff have any concerns about a child’s welfare, they must act on them immediately and speak with the designated safeguarding lead (or deputy) – they do not assume that others have taken action.
Training
The designated safeguarding lead (and deputy) undertake Level 3 child protection training at least every two years. The Headteacher, all staff members and governors receive appropriate child protection training which is regularly updated and in line with advice from the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB). In addition, all staff members receive safeguarding and child protection updates as required, but at least annually, to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively. Records of any child protection training undertaken is kept for all staff and governors. The school ensures that the designated safeguarding lead (and deputy) also undertakes training in inter-agency working and other matters as appropriate
Safer Recruitment
All staff, volunteers or regular visitors must undergo safer recruitment checks, including the correct level of Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS). At least one member of any appointment panel has undertaken approved Safer Recruitment training.
When new staff, volunteers or regular visitors join our school they are informed of the safeguarding arrangements in place, the name of the DSL (and deputy) and how to share concerns with them.
Any member of staff, volunteer or visitor to the school who receives a disclosure or allegation of abuse, or suspects that abuse may have occurred must report it immediately to the designated safeguarding lead (or, in their absence, the deputy designated safeguarding lead).
In Essex, all professionals must work in accordance with the SET Procedures (ESCB, 2019) . Our school also works in accordance with the current legislation and guidance.
Online Safety
At St Anne Line Infants we believe that 'Together, we can keep every child safe online'. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how urgent it is for us to come together to stop online abuse. We all have a role to play and we are able to offer up to date advice, tools and resources to help keep every child safe online.
If you have any concerns about your child's safety online please contact Mrs Clayton or Mrs Gutteridge who are the Designated Safeguarding Leads immediately on: office@salinf.org
Please consider always online safety.
CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to CEOP, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking here.
If you are experiencing online bullying or something else online has worried you please speak to an adult you trust, or you can talk to Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline/
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
Explore one of the six Thinkuknow websites for advice about staying safe when you're on a phone, tablet or computer.
This site has areas with information for parents and for children. Click here.
Common Sense Media is a fantastic free website where you can search for a film, game, tv programme, app etc to find out what its content is, if there is swearing, violence or sexual themes and they give a suggested age rating.
This is a fantastic resource to be able to check the safety of content before you allow your child to access it.
Click here.
Online Safety is taught to the children through Computing lessons, PSHE and assemblies. We use the acronym SMART with a Heart. Below is the poster from Childnet and an adapted EYFS & KS1 version.
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Further Information and Advice
Keeping Children Safe in Education is an important document which underpins the Policies and Practises in our school. This important government document can be read in full by clicking here.
The protection and safety of all children at St Anne Line Catholic Infant school is a priority and responsibility for all staff.