This school believes that it is always unacceptable for a child to experience abuse of any kind. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children.

We will provide staff and volunteers with guidance to follow when they suspect a child maybe experiencing abuse or at risk of harm. We will work co-operatively with other agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first – unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.

Safeguarding is embedded in everything we do, and we believe that Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We focus on teaching children what to do if they are unhappy or feel unsafe, and we help them understand how to keep themselves safe on the internet at school and at home.

We care about what happens to our children outside school, and we can play a part in supporting any concerns you may have. We will seek to support you in any way we can, or we will sign post you to other agencies who might be able to help.

• The DSL -  Designated Safeguarding Lead for child protection is Mrs Jayne Nicol -  head@offenham.dowmat.education

• The DDSL - Deputy Designated persons are Mrs Elizabeth Daniels, Miss Gemma Aucock and Mrs Hollie Johnson - Gemma.Aucock@offenham.dowmat.education Hollie.Johnson@offenham.dowmat.education  Elizabeth.Daniels@offenham.dowmat.education   

• The designated person for children looked after and children previously looked after is Mrs Jayne Nicol.

• Our DOWMAT Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Maggie Spence

• Mrs Jayne Nicol and Mrs Liz Daniels are the Operation Encompass trained key adults.

If you have any concerns please ask to speak to Mrs Nicol or any other of the DDSL's on 01386 442 038 

• The Governor with responsibility for child protection is Mr Steve Webb- Steve.Webb@offenham.dowmat.education
•  Alternatively, call the school office on 01386 442 038, and we will ensure that he is fully informed.

Alternatively, you can contact the Family Front Door by phoning: 01905 822666 or you can ring the School Nursing Team. The School Nursing Team replaces the support system offered by the Health Visitor Team when your child enters school.

Our school nurse can be contacted on 01386 502576.

Also, look out for the posters around school that outline the safeguarding activities that we are involved in at school.

Our school is an Operation Encompass registered school working with West Mercia Police. Operation Encompass is “the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced any domestic abuse. Operation Encompass will ensure that a member of the school staff, (the Designated Safeguarding Lead) known as a Key Adult, is trained to allow them to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, while ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have experienced a domestic abuse incident.”

Staff at Offenham CE First School are able to support any family suffering from domestic abuse and through signposting to specialist sources of advice.

If you are worried about yourself, or anyone else, please get in touch with the school and ask to speak to a Mrs Nicol or Mrs Daniels who have both undertaken the Operation Encompass Key adult training.

Alternatively, visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help

Support for children and families at school:

We have an 'open door' policy and staff will always endeavour to meet with you to discuss any concerns you may have.

Children can contact Childline at any time if they have any issues, and can talk to them confidentially if they wish.  Further information can be found at:

https://www.childline.org.uk/

We would also like to make you aware of the Childline App "For Me", which is a free way for children to get advice if they need it.  Further information can be found at the following link:

https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/for-me/

Parents can find further advice about how to keep their child safe online on the "Think u Know" website.  The link is as follows:

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

Parents may also find the following NSPCC website useful to offer suggestions about how to keep your child safe:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/

GDPR

We, Offenham CE First School are the ‘data controller’ for the purposes of data protection law.

Our Trust Data Protection Officers are Based at HY Education

If you have any questions, concerns or would like more information about anything mentioned in this privacy notice, please contact our Data Protection Officers at HY Education.

Our GDPR policies can be found in the box below.