Are you worried that a child is being abused?

Please call

NSPCC helpline – 0808 800 5000

or email

help@nspcc.org.uk

or call Lancashire Children’s Social Care - 0300 123 6720

Safeguarding at St Joseph's RC Primary School

All schools are expected to play their part in keeping children safe. At St Joseph's RC Primary School we fully recognise the contribution we can make to protect children and support pupils in school. The child's needs are paramount and all professionals will put those needs at the heart of the safeguarding system so that the right solutions can be found for every child. At St Joseph's RC Primary School Mrs Scott, supported by Mrs Howarth takes lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection. Our training in this role is updated every two years. We are expected to refer all cases of suspected abuse to Lancashire Children's Social Care. Where appropriate, parents will be contacted before this referral but this will depend on the circumstances. Where there are radicalisation concerns these will be referred to the Channel programme.  

All staff receive safeguarding training annually.

There are three main elements to our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

Prevention:

Creating a positive school atmosphere, teaching and pastoral support to pupils where children have opportunities to have a voice and that their wishes and feelings are listened to and taken into account.

Protection:

By following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained to recognise possible signs and symptoms of abuse and are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to child protection concerns.

Support:

To pupils and school staff and to children who may have been abused.

School Commitment

We recognise that high self-esteem, confidence, peer support and clear lines of communication with trusted adults helps all children, and especially those at risk of, or suffering abuse.

Our school will therefore:

1. Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to. That they have opportunities to talk and their wishes and feelings are listened to and taken into account.
2. Ensure that children know that there are adults in the school who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty.
3. Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities for PSHE which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe and / or communicate their fears or concerns about abuse.

If you have concerns about controversial issues please visit www.preventforschools.org

Further Information

Please access the links below for further advice on parenting and how to keep your child safe. 

http://www.lancashiresafeguarding.org.uk/

http://www.lancashiresafeguarding.org.uk/media/5124/Safer-Parenting-Handbook-updated-May-2013.pdf

http://www.lancashiresafeguarding.org.uk/media/5660/LSCB-School-Parents-Bulletin-Apr-2015_GL.pdf

http://www.vodafone.com/content/digital-parenting/learning-and-fun/digital-parenting-magazine.html

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/parents

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