Far Forest Lea MemorialCE Primary School
Safeguarding
What is Safeguarding?
At Far Forest we consider the safeguarding of children to be our most important priority. Children need to feel safe, cared for and valued in order to learn and thrive. In school we follow the guidance set out in 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' 2022-2023 which states that schools must ensure they:
To ensure the above guidelines are followed we take action to enable all children to have the best outcomes through our safeguarding measures regardless of their age, culture, physical needs, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and sexual identity. In order to do this we have clear procedures in place to ensure that disclosures or allegations are taken seriously, recorded correctly and investigated.
Who is Responsible for Safeguarding?
Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. Staff are made aware that any safeguarding issues need to be reported through the correct routes to the designated leads. When staff are recruited we follow the procedures set out in our ‘School Recruitment and Selection Policy’. Also on-going safeguarding measures are in place for staff currently employed i.e. through training and DBS re-checks.
The following staff have received Level 2 Safeguarding and Child Protection Training for Safeguarding Leads in School:
In addition to this staff received refresher Level 1 Safeguarding Training to ensure they could recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and report using our agreed procedures.
Mrs Shelley Reeves-Walters is also qualified to deliver training in PREVENT.
What are the Areas of Safeguarding?
How does our Curriculum Support Safeguarding of Pupils?
To support pupils with confidence and knowledge of safeguarding issues we ensure our personal, social, health education (RSHE) programme allows lots of opportunities to develop their understanding.
For example:
In order to provide the best possible safeguarding for all pupils in our school we work with outside agencies to ensure we get expert advice and support. We follow procedures set out by ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ 2022 -2023 in accordance with child protection procedures.
Below are some of the links we have with external agencies:
We are required to have information from parents/carers prior to a child joining our school.
This includes:
In our school we follow the Data Protection principles. Information regarding children is stored safely and securely and it is only shared with professionals permitted to have it.
The above list is not exhaustive as many policies, procedures and protocols are in place to safeguard pupils. Policies are reviewed at determined intervals to ensure that the most up to date information is included in our guidelines in school.
At Far Forest we endeavour to provide the very best service for our pupils and families. To help us provide this we require feedback. This can be achieved through mechanisms we offer e.g. questionnaires we send to parents, through emails and telephone conversations.
However we feel that most importantly face to face discussions are effective at resolving concerns/complaints. In line with our policy, discussion of a concern would be with the class teacher in the first instance followed by the headteacher if that does not provide a resolution. After that the matter can be referred to the Chair of Governors where hopefully the matter can be resolved.
Our Complaints Policy sets out the procedures and this can be requested via the school office or downloaded from our website. Our aim is to always listen and try to resolve issues before they reach this stage.
If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact the school for all our policies or view our policies section on our website.
Early Help
Everyone needs help at some time in their lives.
Far Forest Lea Memorial CE Primary Academy we are committed to the well-being of children and their families with the overall aim to bring about the best outcomes for them. We have an open-door policy and will make ourselves available to support or to signpost families to meet their immediate or ongoing needs.
Early Help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, with the aim to stop problems escalating. Support can be offered at any point in a child’s life.
Providing Early Help to our pupils and families at Far Forest means we are more effective in promoting support as soon as we can.
At Far Forest Lea Memorial CE Primary Academy we recognise the challenges that families face in bringing up children. There may be times when you need extra help and support. If this is the case, please come and talk to us. There are many ways in which we can help as outlined in this offer of early help. We can also help to plan specific support for families where we can work together to set and achieve outcomes.
Please read through our Early Help Offer which contains links to useful websites and support.
Links to national and local agency advisory services for parents and carers
Wyre Forest and Hagley Project
The Wyre Forest and Hagley Project (WHP) is a service for parents and carers with a child attending a local primary school in Kidderminster, Bewdley, Stourport or Hagley.
Crime Prevention
At Far Forest we work closely with our local PCSOs, Jenny and Steve to provide children with an understanding of how to keep themselves safe in school and the wider community. Our children take part Police cadets training and our PCSO's attend School Council meetings. The children have good relationships, have an increased sense of safety and understand the value in the support they offer school.
E-Safety
E-Safety is a crucial part of safeguarding children. Alongside the school curriculum, it is important that parents/carers talk to their children about how to keep themselves safe and know what websites and/or social media children are using.
Our Social Media Statement
Parents of children in Wyre Forest schools are increasingly using social networking sites such as Facebook to talk to their friends. Sometimes parents have used these sites to make inappropriate comments about schools or even individual teachers.
Making defamatory comments on the internet has exactly the same serious legal consequences as if they are made directly to someone else. Legal action could be taken against the person who has made the online comment. Similarly threats of violence can lead to criminal proceedings under the Malicious Communications Act 1988.
If you have any concerns about anything which happens in school please speak to your child’s class teacher or the Headteacher who will do their best to resolve things.
If you are still unhappy we have a complaints procedure which will ensure that your concerns are investigated thoroughly and appropriate action taken.
School and National Policies/ Guidance