Here at Seaham Harbour Nursery School, we regard the safeguarding of children as our main priority. We believe that we all have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn. We all have the responsibility to make this happen.
We will ensure that:
- The welfare of the child remains paramount.
- All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/ or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
- All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report concerns to the Designated Leads for Safeguarding: Mrs Carole Scott and Mrs Sue Wilson.
Areas of Safeguarding
Our safeguarding policies cover all areas of school life and include:
- Staff & Visitors- ensuring they are vetted informed & trained.
- Children’s Behaviour- promoting safer & happier behaviours & lifestyles.
- Parents & Carers- promoting links & supporting families.
- Premises -keeping them safe, pleasant & fit for purpose.
- Curriculum -providing positive, life affirming learning experiences.
- Educational Visits- ensuring safer activities and environments outside school.
Members of Staff Responsible
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe, however Designated Leads are:
- Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Carole Scott
- Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Sue Wilson
- Designated Safeguarding Governor: Mrs Rebecca Mastrangelo
Safer Recruitment
We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children are vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. On-going checks and ‘whistle blowing’ are in line with the current policy.
Staff Training
- Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow.
- Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children.
- All Staff & governors are directed to the document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023’.
- Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023)
Child Protection with Safeguarding Policy
All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately. Policies are in line with the current guidance and procedures.
Staff are able to respond appropriately to any:
- significant changes in children’s behaviour;
- deterioration in their general well-being;
- unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
- signs of neglect;
- comments children make which give cause for concern.
All staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
What to do if you are concerned for the safety of a child (out of school hours)
Child abuse can have major long-term effects on all aspects of a child’s health and well-being. Children and young people are dependent on others for their survival and have a right to be protected and to have someone who will act on their behalf. If you have a concern about a child or young person or are having difficulties in your own family, First Contact is the service to call. First Contact brings together staff from Children’s Services with partners such as Durham Constabulary and Health practitioners.
Call First Contact on 03000 26 79 79 More information is available on their website
Remember that if you suspect a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm then phone the Police on 999.
NSPCC can also take a referral, by telephone or online.
By telephone: Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm and 9am – 6pm at the weekend.
- Telephone 0808 800 5000
- NSPCC Website
Barnardo’s: Protecting children
Information Sharing
We have an obligation to obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to school, including:
- emergency contact numbers;
- the child’s special dietary requirements, preferences or food allergies the child may have;
- the child’s special health requirements;
- information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child.
PARENTS & CARERS MUST TELL US OF ANY CHANGES TO THESE DETAILS.
We take confidentiality very seriously. Any information which we hold is treated as confidential and shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.
Links with External Agencies
Because our first concern must be the well-being of the child, there may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies before we contact parents and carers. The procedures we have to follow have been laid down in accordance with the local authority child protection procedures.
We are fortunate to be supported by a range of external agencies which can be called upon to support the work we do in school. These include Health Visitors, Health Practitioners, Educational Psychologist, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Social Services and Specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs.
Reporting Concerns or Complaints
Further to the above procedures, we have in place a concerns and complaints policy. This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern.
Concerns should be raised in the following order.
- To a member of staff. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Head Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Chair of Governors. Then, if there is no resolution;
- To the Local Authority.
Contact details are available from the school office.
Review of Policy and Practice
In order to ensure that best practice is maintained, our policies are reviewed yearly to incorporate the latest statutory guidance.
If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact our school for all our policies or view them in the Nursery Policies section on our website.
