Safeguarding

Clanfield CE Primary School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our children, staff and visitors, whilst promoting a climate where children and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns which they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.

Safeguarding is our number one priority and everyone's responsibility. For us safeguarding goes beyond what is statutory and is our highest priority. As a team we constantly reflect on our practise and look for any ways we can to improve.

Posters of our DSL’s are found around school on our notice boards with details for people to refer.
What should I do if I have a safeguarding concern?

We ask all parents to help with safeguarding too. If you have a concern about a child, member of staff or the safety in the environment then please inform us immediately.

The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) will remain the front door to Children’s Social Care for all child protection and immediate safeguarding concerns. If there is an immediate safeguarding concern Tel: 0345 050 7666. (This number will take you through to Customer Services who will ask a series of questions and triage into MASH where safeguarding concerns are raised):

• Office hours (8.30am – 5pm, Monday to Thursday, 8.30am – 4pm, Friday): Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub

• Outside office hours: Emergency Duty Team: 0800 833 408

If you have a safeguarding concern about a member of staff you should contact the Local Authority Designated Officer on 01865 810603 or email lado.safeguardingchildren@oxfordshire.gov.uk. If it is out of hours and you believe a child is in immediate danger you should contact the police.

Our Policy sets out how the Governing Board discharges its statutory responsibilities relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are pupils at our schools.

Child Protection Policy-

What does a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) do?

In our school the DSL’s responsibilities include:

• Respond to any safeguarding concerns.
• Liaise with social care and other agencies.
• Talk to parents about concerns raised where appropriate.
• Updates chronologies and school safeguarding records.
• Lead on whole staff training and updates.
• Attend regular safeguarding team meeting to reflect on practise.
• Meet with the safeguarding governor at least termly and report to Governors.
• Attend Local Authority DSL network meetings.
• Update the school safeguarding policy.

Who are the DSLs in school?

Mrs Kim Rogers- DSL

Mrs Amy Benfield- DDSL

 What training is given to staff?

Staff are regularly trained in safeguarding and it is part of our new staff induction. We find out about updates and training through the Local Authority DSL network and online services. Our DSL’s attend training and keep refreshed through the termly DSL networks run by the Local Authority.

We keep staff up to date through staff meetings where safeguarding concerns relevant to whole school are discussed (we are always mindful not to overexpose children or families, regarding casework information is shared on a need to know basis). We also have a staff safeguarding notice board for general updates.

How are referrals made?

Child Protection and Safeguarding referrals are made by staff and sometimes pupils, parents or visitors to the DSL’s. Staff are trained in the referral process and this is part of new staff induction. Visitors are asked to read our safeguarding leaflet and have a discussion with a DSL so they understand the procedures. We now use an online recording system called CPOMS. Staff are trained to avoid asking leading questions and to support pupils by explaining what will happen, not showing disbelief and taking factual information from the child. The school DSL’s may investigate further once a referral is made.

Will parents be informed?

If a child makes a disclosure our practise is to inform parents and carers as long as this would not put a child in danger or we are advised not to speak to parents by social care. Likewise, we will usually inform parents if a referral to social care has been made.

What if a child or an adult makes a disclosure about a member of staff?

If there is an allegation made against a member of staff then the DSL’s will seek advice from Oxfordshire’s Safeguarding Team on the appropriate action to take. We will inform parents and in some cases a staff member may be suspended or put on altered or supervised duties until an investigation is completed. Where criminal activity may have taken place, the police will be contacted. All staff are aware of the school’s Whistleblowing policy.

How does school make sure that staff and visitors are safe to work with children?

We carry out criminal background checks on all staff and visitors who work in school. This information is managed and kept by our Business Manager. Staff are also asked to disclose any activity that may make them by association ineligible to work with children. Staff are trained to understand that they are all responsible for safeguarding and must immediately report any practise they are concerned about. We ask staff to also take precautions such as avoiding being left in a room on their own with a pupil and not using personal mobile phones in school to video or take pictures of pupils. These are outlined in our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies and our Staff Handbook.

Safeguarding culture

Staff are trained to be curious and to keep in mind that it could always happen here. We pride ourselves on the culture in school and regularly monitor safer recruitment, site security, Governor oversight, staff conduct, safeguarding training, curriculum and safeguarding procedures and policies.

Recent improvements made to safeguarding in school

We constantly reflect and review our school procedures. Since 2019 we have:

• An electronic recording system called CPOMS which provides secure and clearer tracking systems and chronologies for school .
• Updated and enhanced our record keeping and systems including introduction of bound books for staff to take to meetings .  
• Had perimeter fencing put up at the rear of the school to ensure the safety of all pupils (August 2019) and along the wooded play areas .

• Introduced colour coded lanyards for staff and visitors so the pupils know which are members of school staff and staff can politely challenge anyone without a lanyard in school. 

• Had the front gates changed so that they are weighted and can only be released by staff with a key fob .
• Fenced the wooded play area to separate it from the school field 
• Built a porch so that access into the school is made more challenging 
• Actioned Pupil Voice where they don't feel safe eg camo net on back gate
• Theme of the term
• Termly safeguarding assembly for pupils