Safeguarding

'Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play.' (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023)

The safety and well-being of the children in our care is always the driving force behind our decision making. Safeguarding at St Sidwell’s CE Primary School and Nursery is considered everyone's responsibility.  As such our school aims to create the safest environment within which every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We recognise the contribution we can make to ensure that all children within our school feel that they will be listened to and appropriate action taken. We will do this by working in partnership with other agencies in accordance with 'Working Together to Safeguard Children - 2023' and seeking to establish effective working relationships with parents, carers and colleagues to develop and provide activities and opportunities that will help to equip our children to develop essential life skills and protective behaviours.

All staff have specific Level 2 Safeguarding training which is updated annually and are proficient in all aspects of Child Protection.  We are committed to ensuring that we protect and support each and every one of our children.

If you have any concerns about a child please talk to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads or you can phone the Multi Agency Referral Unit on 0345 155 1071

Never keep a concern about a child’s safety to yourself.

our Safeguarding Officers

St Sidwell's Safeguarding Team

• Mrs Rowe (Headteacher) Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Mrs Rice (Deputy Headteacher)
• Mrs Shokar (Family Support Worker)

We have the greatest respect for our Safeguarding responsibility. School staff play an essential role in safeguarding our pupils. 

We:

• create safe environments for children and young people through robust safeguarding practices
• ensure that adults who work in the school, including volunteers, don't pose a risk to children
• make sure staff are trained, know how to respond to concerns and keep-up-to-date with policy and practice
• teach children and young people about staying safe
• maintain an environment where children feel confident to approach any member of staff if they have a worry or problem. 

We have a number of Safeguarding officers in school identified above but ALL our staff share our responsibility and have received safeguarding training to help support children who may be at risk.

St Sidwell's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and to share this commitment.
http://www.devonsafeguardingchildren.org/

 Our policies reflect current legislation, accept best practice and comply with the government guidance.

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2024-25

Other useful links to advise and support

Talk PANTS and stay safe

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/schools/pants-teaching  

NSPCC – The UK’s leading children’s charity, preventing abuse and helping those affected to recover.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Childline – Get help and advice about a wide range of issues.
https://www.childline.org.uk/

REACH – A specialist service in Devon which supports young people up to 17 years old, who either run away or who may be at risk of, or experiencing child sexual exploitation (CSE). Click on the link below for more information.
Reducing exploitation and absence from care or home

Online Safety

Computers, tablets, smart phones and gaming consoles open a world of opportunity and learning for children and young people when using the Web.

The Web enables an astonishing opportunity for learning, exploration, entertainment and communication. These opportunities are embraced by children and young people and lead to considerable enrichment, although as in life there are always associated risks and the Web is no different. There are potential threats such as bullying or unwanted contact, many of which are regularly reported in the media. However understanding the risks and how to minimise them can be confusing and perhaps overwhelming.

The Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre – internet safety – CEOP is the UK law enforcement agency dedicated to help protect children when online, and are looking to inform parents about some of these online risks and encouraging them to register for free monthly updates. The monthly updates will inform parents on how new technologies are being used by children, what signs to look out for and even some of the behavioural changes that are typical in children who are under threat.

For further information and to subscribe to updates, please visit
http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

Another informative website is the UK Safer Internet Centre, where you can find online safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.
Click here Safer Internet Centre

Access CEOP by clicking on the link https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

Operation Encompass

St Sidwell's is  an Operation Encompass school. 

Operation Encompass is a partnership between police and schools that aims to reduce the long-term impacts of domestic abuse by providing early intervention and support.

When the police attend incidents of domestic violence or abuse where children are directly or indirectly involved, they notify the designated safeguarding lead at the child’s school before the start of the next school day. The safeguarding lead then makes sure the child gets the immediate support that they need. 

For more information, please visit the Operation Encompass website, or the parent posters in your preferred language below.

https://www.operationencompass.org/

Parent Posters

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