Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and meeting the needs of all our pupils. This provides some useful advice and information when working with our pupils.
What are your responsibilities as a visitor to our school?
All those who come into contact with the pupils have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children.
Supply teachers/students will be child protection trained on arrival to site before they begin work. They will be aware of possible signs and indicators of abuse and will bring their concerns immediately to a DSL or DDSL.
School age students and other volunteers will not have received child protection training and MUST NEVER be left alone with a child/children at any point; a CP trained member of staff should always be in sight/hearing of a student/volunteer.
DBS Checks
Richmond Primary requires all adults who work in a regulated activity to be checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
If you are volunteering we will ask you to complete various forms and provide photo I.D. not only to verify your identity, but to provide contact details.
You are required to inform the head immediately if you become subject to any criminal investigation.
You must also declare if you are living with someone who has committed an offence against children. Debarring by Association. Everyone in our school is asked to make this declaration as they come into contact with under 8’s.
What you should do if you are worried about a child?
Whilst working with a child, if you become worried about:
- Comments made by a child
- Marks or bruising on a child
- Changes in a child’s behaviour or de-meaner
- Disclosures of any nature that may indicate risk of harm to a child
- You must report these concerns to one of these people in the listed order
- Mrs Harris– Designated Safeguarding Lead/Principal
- Miss McMillan - Deputy Safeguarding Lead/ Attendance and Welfare
- Miss Johnson- Deputy Safeguarding Lead/Assistant Principal
- Mr Flint – Vice Principal and SENCo
If a child makes a disclosure to you
- Listen, allow the child to talk freely.
- Reassure but DON’T promise anything.
- DO NOT promise confidentiality.
- DO NOT interrogate, do not ask them to write it down.
- Reassure them that it was right to talk.
What if a child expresses concern about a staff member?
If a child is to do this it must be reported to the head, if it is about the head it must be reported to the Chair of the Academy Scrutiny Committee.
Appropriate Behaviour
- As a visitor or volunteer you may well work closely with pupils. We need to have mutual trust and respect.
- You should not engage in physical contact with the children if they instigate this it should be reported to class teacher.
- Do not photograph/record the pupils and do not have you mobile phone or camera out whilst on site. Do not exchange numbers or engage on social media with any pupils.
Confidentiality
It is expected of everybody in school not to discuss anything they hear or see on site with anybody else.
Do you have a safeguarding concern?
As a parent or member of the public we all have a duty of care to ensure that we support the safeguarding of all young people and those who are deemed vulnerable. If you have a safeguarding concern during the hours of Monday to Friday between 8 am and 5 pm, if you believe someone’s life is in immediate danger then you should call 999, otherwise you can call the Lincolnshire safeguarding team. They can be reached on 01522 782111, you will be able to discuss and share you concern with them, you can remain anonymous, however, it is helpful if you are able to share who you are, which will remain confidential. This allows them to be able to filter out malicious calls. Out of these hours if you have a concern that someone’s life is in immediate danger then you must call 999.
As a school, we are always happy to listen to your concerns and point you in the right direction, whilst we will share the information, if it is of a safeguarding concern. Should we call your concern in to the Lincolnshire Safeguarding team, it is classed as second or maybe third hand information and may not receive the priority it would if called in first hand.
If you do have any concerns or wish to discuss anything at any time please contact Mrs Harris, Miss McMillan or Miss Johnson through the school office number of 01754 766639.