Safeguarding
What is safeguarding at The Willesborough Schools?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. The safeguarding of our children and families is paramount. We take swift action to ensure that all children have the best life outcomes. We work together to ensure that our children grow up experiencing safe and effective care.
What is child protection?
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.
Each school must write a child protection policy. This outlines the principles of safeguarding and child protection in our establishment. It is for staff, parents, children and governors. The policy also states all the procedures and government guidance that the school must follow.
Child Protection PolicyWe also have a separate Online Safety policy. This policy sets out the measures we will take to keep children safe from online harm.
A very important document for schools to understand is ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). It is written by the government and is updated regularly. Schools must understand and follow this guidance as part of their safeguarding procedures and practices.
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024What is a DSL and who are they at The Willesborough Schools?
DSL stands for ‘Designated Safeguarding Lead’. This is the named person for the school that leads and oversees safeguarding policies, procedures and practices. They are all fully trained. The DSL or deputy DSLs must be informed of any concerns about a child’s welfare by members of staff in school. There are posters around the school to help to ensure staff and students are aware of who the DSLs and deputy DSLs are, a copy of which can be seen below.
I am worried about my child, what do I do?
You can always talk to your class teacher they will be able to support you and your child with any classroom concerns. They may in turn speak to a DSL if they believe there is a need for further support or advice. If you are worried about your child’s safety, physical or emotional health then you should speak to a member of the safeguarding team straight away. You may, in turn, be signposted to other members of staff such as the SENCO or FLO. They may offer you direct work or they may signpost you for external support. If you are concerned your child is at risk of immediate harm you must speak to the school DSL without delay, call the NSPCC helpline, integrated front door children’s social services on 03000 411111 or the police on 999.
I am worried about someone else’s child, what do I do?
Perhaps you are concerned about something you have seen or heard in relation to another child. The school DSL’s can listen to your concerns and support you in the course of action to take. You may contact the NSPCC helpline, integrated front door children’s social services on 03000 411111 or call the police on 999 if it is an emergency.
How can I get more support for my child and for myself?
The school has a FLO, short for Family Liaison Officer. They can support with a wide range of concerns or issues that you or your child maybe experiencing. They can offer support and advice on a range of parenting topics. You may find it helpful to talk things through and seek their advice. The FLO will also be able to signpost you to specialised support available locally. If you would like to make contact with the FLO please feel free to stop in to the front office and request a call back from them. You are also able contact them directly via the FLO mobile number 07903 750691.
You may wish to be referred by the school to Early Help services. Early Help workers look to support families for short periods of time, normally 6-10 weeks. Early help services can be delivered to parents, children or whole families, but their main focus is to improve outcomes for children. For example, services may help parents who are living in difficult circumstances provide a safe and loving environment for their child. Or, if a child is displaying concerning behaviour, early help practitioners might work with the child and their parents to find out the reasons for the child's behaviour and put strategies in place to help keep them safe and support their wellbeing. Early Help services will work alongside your school.
The leaflet in the link below provides more information about Early Help Services
What will the school teach my child about how to stay safe?
The Core Safeguarding Curriculum Spine
At Willesborough Infant school we have carefully selected Kapow Primary to provide a spiral, inclusive and developmentally sequenced curriculum that ensures safeguarding knowledge, wellbeing and citizenship skills are revisited and deepened over time.
Core Kapow Strands (EYFS–KS1)
- Family and Relationships
- Health and Wellbeing
- Safety and the Changing Body
- Citizenship
- Economic Wellbeing
- Identity and Transition
Infant Focus
- Naming and managing feelings
- Building friendships and respectful behaviour
- Understanding boundaries and personal safety
- Knowing trusted adults and how to ask for help
- Developing early responsibility, belonging and fairness
Kapow’s flexible pedagogy allows for reasonable adjustments, visual supports, repetition and alternative ways of demonstrating understanding, ensuring access for all learners.
Safeguarding Curriculum
At Willesborough Infant School safeguarding is taught explicitly and implicitly through RSE, PSHE, behaviour routines and adult modelling and is underpinned by the six principles of Nurture UK.
Inclusive Safeguarding Principles
- Clear, child-friendly language is vital for communication
- Adults treat all behaviour is communication
- The classroom offers a safe base
- Visual prompts and stories are a tool for all children
- Repetition and overlearning for vulnerable pupils
- Recognition of non-verbal indicators of distress
- Trusted adult mapping for all children
- Knowledge that transitions are significant in the lives of children.
Children are taught:
- What safe and unsafe situations look like
- That they have the right to say stop
- How to seek help and who to tell
- That abuse is never their fault
Willesborough Infant school ensure safeguarding education is effective for children who communicate, behave or regulate differently.
I am a professional, how can I get in touch?
If you are a professional and would like to contact a member of our school safeguarding team please use our office email address (below) in the first instance, to allow your message to be passed to the most appropriate member of our safeguarding team. This is checked throughout each day by our safeguarding-trained office team who understand the serious and confidential nature of safeguarding. Or call the school on 01233 624165 and ask to speak to a member of the safeguarding team.
office@willesborough-infant.kent.sch.uk
I think my concerns are not being listened to, what do I do?
If you are worried that your concerns have not been listened to or you are not sure what to do with a concern that you have about an adult please follow the school’s whistleblowing policy.
If you have further concerns or you are looking for advice on what to do you can call the NSPCC’s dedicated whistleblowing advice line.
