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St Mary's Walk, Shirehampton, Bristol BS11 9RR

0117 903 1447

shirehamptonp@bristol-schools.uk

Shirehampton Primary School

Safeguarding

Shirehampton Primary School (SPS) is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children. We believe that pupils have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment which includes the right to protection from all types of abuse; where staff are vigilant for signs of any pupil in distress and are confident about applying our safeguarding procedures to avert and alleviate any such concerns.  

"My child has had a few tricky moments with emotions this year.... school has been very supportive as always - thank you."

 

Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm – safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment – and that we all feel safe in our learning environment.

If a member of staff is concerned about a child’s welfare, they will record this and report it to one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) as soon as possible the same day. Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns are discussed with the child’s parents / carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare. If a staff member has concerns which relate to the actions or behaviour of a colleague (which could suggest that they are unsuitable to work with children) this will be reported to the Head Teacher, or Chair of Governors, if the concern relates to the Head Teacher, who will contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

SPS will support all children by:

  • Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within the school;
  • Liaising and working together with all other support services and those agencies involved in the safeguarding of children;
  • Notifying First Response or Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) via the approved mechanisms as soon as there is a concern that needs sharing;
  • Providing continued support to a child about whom there have been concerns who leaves the school by ensuring that appropriate information is forwarded under confidential cover to the new school.

If you are concerned about the safety or well-being of a child at our school, please talk to one of our DSLs. The Governor in charge of Safeguarding is Revd Pearl Luxon.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff, including temporary staff, and volunteers are subject to stringent background checks including clearance with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure their suitability for working with children.

The School Council have created a child friendly version of our Safeguarding Policy.

child friendly safeguarding policy april 23.pdf

 

Report a concern about a child

If you have any concerns about a child or young person please do not leave it to someone else to deal with, particularly if you think a child is being neglected or abused.

If you have a concern about a child’s safety or wellbeing contact First Response Team on 0117 903 6444 Report your concerns about a child as a member of the public - bristol.gov.uk

When our offices are closed call the Emergency Duty Team on 01454 615 165.

Reporting a child at immediate risk

If the child is at immediate risk call the Police on 999.

Other numbers you can call:

NSPCC 24 hour Helpline: 0800 800 5000 (free from a landline)

NSPCC Asian Languages Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free from a landline)

NSPCC Text helpline: 88858 (service is free and anonymous)

Police: 101 (non-emergency calls)

For more information on safeguarding, please also see the school’s 

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Touch Policy 

E-Safety Policy and 

Safer Recruitment and Selection Policy

Resources for parents 

Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership is an organisation that has responsibility to deliver statutory duties to safeguard children; protect adults at risk of neglect or abuse and protect local communities from crime and to help people feel safe. It has a brilliant website which provides lots of information about keeping children and adults safe.

Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership: Keeping children safe

Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership: Keeping adults safe

Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership: Keeping communities safe

The NSPCC website is a great source of advice, support and resources for parents to help keep childhood safe from abuse, so children go grow up healthy and thrive.

NSPCC PANTS Learn Pantosaurus' five rules for staying safe and understanding the underwear rule.

Click here for the Pantosaurus song you can use with your children to help them understand the underwear rule.

Information about Private Fostering for parents and adults. Understand  what Private Fostering is and how to let Bristol City Council know about any private fostering arrangements in place.

 

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a hugely distressing, but fairly rare form of sexual, emotional and physical abuse of children. Knowing the signs and being aware of the support available can help to equip parents with the knowledge and tools to act.

Parents Against Child Exploitation (PACE) is a great website to help you know what Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is, the signs to watch out for and the impact on families.

Avon and Somerset Police have also produced a leaflet to help you understand more about CSE. Click here to view it.

 

The Prevent Duty places a duty on schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. This is a safeguarding issue for schools. As a school we aim to support and protect children who are vulnerable and at risk of being radicalised. Our action plan details how we discharge this duty.  The Head Teacher, Miss Louisa Munton, is the first point of contact within the school. Revd Pearl Luxon is the governor who takes the lead on The Prevent Duty. You can find more guidance from the government here.