• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Child Protection: Mrs Claire Duncan
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) for Child Protection: Mrs Rebecca John, Mrs Sarah Haddy, Mrs Susie Dannan and Mrs Hannah Morgan

The following policies are available on the school website:

• Safeguarding Policy
• Child Protection Policy
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Managing Allegations of Abuse Against Staff and Volunteers Policy

South West Child Protection Procedures are available at SWCPP

1. Children have a right to be safe.
2. Adults have a duty of care to protect children
3. Parents have a right to be informed.

The School will inform parents of any concerns about their children (providing it does not compromise their safety) and will help and support them as necessary.

The School will actively seek to prevent children suffering abuse and neglect through the development of an open culture that informs children of their rights and encourages them to speak of any concerns. The School will also address the issue of children’s safety through the curriculum.

There are four categories of abuse:

1. Physical abuse

2. Emotional abuse

3. Sexual abuse

4. Neglect.

Safeguarding also covers incidents of:

Children with sexually harmful behaviour

Peer on peer sexual abuse

Sexual exploitation of children

Serious violent crime

Honour based violence

Radicalism and extremism

SIGNS OF ABUSE

There are a number of signs that may indicate abuse. These include:

Behaviour: A marked change in a child’s usual temperament or the display of unusual behaviour

Spoken disclosures: A child may say something that discloses abuse. If this occurs, the person to whom the child has disclosed will do the following:

• Listen to what the child says and then write down word for word what was said as soon as possible afterwards.
• They will use open questions and ensure they do not put words into the child's mouth.
• They may empathise with and comfort the child but will not agree to keep secret what they have disclosed.
• Tell the child that they will have to tell someone else in school i.e, Mrs Duncan, Mrs John, Mrs Haddy, Mrs Morgan or Mrs Dannan and  the conversation is uploaded to CPOMS as soon as possible.

All staff are mindful of:

• Physical injuries: Whilst young children may commonly have minor injuries, certain injuries will raise concerns that these have been caused deliberately.

• Appearance: The manner in which a child is dressed or groomed may give cause for concern that their basic physical and emotional needs are not being met

1. The DSL or DDSL will discuss your concerns with you and make a record of them. No further action may be taken at this time. The record will be kept on file by the DSL in case future concerns arise.
2. The DSL or DDSL may discuss your concerns and then consult an outside agency such as the School Nurse, Educational Welfare, Social Services or parents. The advice given will be acted upon.
3. After consulting with outside agencies, a Common Assessment Framework (CAF) meeting may be called so that all interested parties (including parents) can attend and look for ways to support the child. Your observations/concerns may be included in the CAF documentation.
4. In some cases, the child protection issue may be serious enough to mean that the DSL or DDSL will make a referral to Social Services, the Police or another agency, to ensure that the welfare of the child is ensured.

What to do if a child discloses abuse (‘The five Rs’)

• RECEIVE the information. Listen carefully and do not ask leading questions
• RESPOND to the child. Let them know what you are going to do next
• REPORT the disclosure as soon as possible to the DSL or DDSL using a concern log
• REFER to Social Care without delay – the DSL should do this
• RECORD fully and accurately, as soon as possible afterwards