Safeguarding

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  download_for_offlineSafeguarding Policy

At Dodford First School, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of every child is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a safe, caring and nurturing environment where all children feel happy, valued, respected and supported, enabling them to learn, grow and achieve their full potential.

We recognise that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility. All members of our school community have an important role to play in ensuring that children are protected from harm and feel safe both in school and beyond.

Our approach to safeguarding is underpinned by a culture of openness, trust and respect. We encourage our children to develop positive relationships with trusted adults, to recognise when something does not feel right and to feel confident in sharing any worries or concerns they may have. We want every child to know that their voice matters, that they will be listened to and that they will always have someone they can turn to for help and support.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead are responsible for coordinating safeguarding arrangements within the school, providing advice and guidance to staff, responding to safeguarding concerns and working with relevant professionals and agencies to ensure that children and families receive appropriate support.

If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, however small they may seem, please speak to a member of our safeguarding team. We believe that sharing concerns at the earliest opportunity is essential in helping to keep children safe.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

At Dodford First School, we are committed to creating a strong safeguarding culture in which the welfare of children is always our first consideration.

We aim to achieve this by:

• Providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive learning environment where every child feels secure and valued.

• Ensuring that all staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and receive appropriate safeguarding training and regular updates.

• Promoting positive relationships and encouraging children to speak openly about their feelings, worries and experiences.

• Helping children to develop the knowledge and skills they need to keep themselves safe, including when using the internet and digital technology.

• Recognising and responding promptly to signs that a child may be experiencing difficulties or may be at risk of harm.

• Working in partnership with parents, carers and external agencies to provide appropriate help and support for children and families.

• Following robust safeguarding policies and procedures, including safer recruitment practices, to ensure that adults working with children are suitable for their roles.

Working Together to Keep Children Safe

We believe that strong relationships between school and home are essential in safeguarding children. Parents and carers know their children best, and we value the important role they play in helping us to understand and respond to each child's individual needs.

We encourage parents and carers to contact us if they have any concerns about their child's wellbeing, friendships, behaviour, online safety or any other matter that may affect their happiness or safety.

We also recognise that families may sometimes experience difficulties and need additional support. Our safeguarding team is available to listen, offer guidance and help families access appropriate services where necessary.

By working together, sharing information appropriately and maintaining open lines of communication, we can help ensure that every child receives the care and support they need.

Helping Children to Keep Themselves Safe

Safeguarding is an important part of everyday school life at Dodford First School. Through our curriculum, assemblies, classroom discussions and daily interactions, we help children develop an age-appropriate understanding of personal safety, healthy relationships, respectful behaviour and how to seek help when they need it.

We teach children about the importance of kindness, respect and looking after one another. We encourage them to recognise and communicate their feelings, understand personal boundaries and identify trusted adults they can speak to if something is worrying them.

Online safety is also an important part of our safeguarding approach. We support children in developing safe and responsible habits when using technology and work with parents and carers to promote online safety beyond the classroom.

Above all, we want every child to feel confident that they will be listened to, believed and supported when they share a concern.

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please do not hesitate to contact the school and ask to speak to Mrs J Wakelam, our Designated Safeguarding Lead, or Miss C Underhill, our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

All safeguarding concerns are taken seriously and handled sensitively, with information shared appropriately and in accordance with our safeguarding policies and statutory responsibilities.

You do not need to be certain that a child is at risk before raising a concern. If something is worrying you, we encourage you to speak to us so that appropriate action can be taken.

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please contact the police on 999.

Safeguarding Policies and Procedures

Our safeguarding arrangements are informed by the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy sets out the procedures we follow to protect children, respond to concerns and fulfil our safeguarding responsibilities.

Parents, carers and members of our school community are encouraged to familiarise themselves with our safeguarding policies, which are available through the school website or upon request from the school office.

At Dodford First School, every child deserves to feel safe, happy and supported. Safeguarding is not simply a responsibility; it is a fundamental part of our school ethos. Together, we are committed to creating an environment where every child feels secure, knows their voice will be heard and has the opportunity to flourish.