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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)

Safety Poster 3 Safey Poster 1

Safeguarding posters for children

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) Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs Shokar (Family Support Worker) Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

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.

In school, we use a software application called CPOMS for monitoring and recording child protection, safeguarding, and a whole range of pastoral and welfare issues. It works alongside our school's existing safeguarding processes. Every member of staff has an obligation to report any concerns that they may have.

St Sidwell's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and to share this commitment.
Our mission, aim and priorities - Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership

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

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2025-26

Working together to safeguard children

Safeguarding Newsletters for parents

/news-events/safeguarding-newsletters-for-parents

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/

Smart Phone Free Childhood

Supporting Our Children's Wellbeing Together

At St Sidwell's we believe in fostering a childhood free from the pressures and risks associated with smartphones and social media.

This initiative, part of the national Smartphone Free Childhood movement, is designed to ensure children can grow, play, and develop without the negative effects of digital distractions.

Why Delay Smartphones and Social Media?

More and more scientific research is backing up parental experience to show that early smartphone and social media exposure can be harmful to children. Some of the biggest concerns include:

Mental Health Impact – Studies show that children who spend more time on social media are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.
Addictive Nature – Social media apps are designed to be highly addictive, with children spending an average of 4 hours per day on their phones by age 12.
Exposure to Harmful Content – Research shows that 40% of children are exposed to inappropriate content within a week of joining social media.
Reduced Sleep and Focus – Screen time before bed significantly reduces sleep quality, with studies linking smartphone use to an increase in attention difficulties.
Cyberbullying – Over 60% of teenagers report experiencing cyberbullying, with younger children being particularly vulnerable.

There are many great sources of information on the challenges that come from Smartphones and Social Media. Here are a few:

An excellent 12 minute video from Papaya Parenting
A half hour summary of the leading book on the subject, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
An excellent and entertaining documentary called “Swiped” on Channel4

A Community Effort to Reduce Social Pressure

One of the biggest challenges parents face is peer pressure – both for themselves and their children. Many parents feel forced to give their child a smartphone simply because “everyone else has one.” The Parent Pact at St Sidwell's Primary helps remove this pressure by creating a unified community approach.

Today, 94% of of primary school parents think smartphones are harmful. Yet, 90% of children have smartphones by year 7. This happens because the social pressure becomes unbearable once the majority of children have smartphones in a class.

The Parent Pact aims to break this cycle by enabling parents to socially coordinate and to have the confidence that their child won’t be socially excluded if they don’t have a smartphone.

SFC Superhero Poster

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

What is the PREVENT Strategy?

Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes.

The Prevent Strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme far-right wing and extreme Islamist groups.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools and parents?

From July 2015 all schools have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.

This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremism and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence.

The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. However, it is about teaching children the British Values such as Rule of Law, Democracy, Individual Liberty , Tolerance and Mutual respect.

We do many age appropriate things in school to help students become positive, happy members of society, which also contributes to the Prevent Strategy. These include:

Exploring other cultures, religions and promoting diversity; Challenging prejudices and racists comments;
Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity; Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students, as well as British values such as democracy.
Staff being aware of the vulnerable pupils within their cohort. We also aim to protect students from the risk of radicalisation, for example, using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with students

Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss any issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

Children are spending more time than ever on social media and gaming platforms so it is no surprise that online grooming by extremists is on the rise. Young people are especially being targeted by groups and individuals promoting violence and hatred.

Helping your child be digitally savvy and knowing the signs of radicalisation will help keep them safe and protect them from potential risks.

Netmums have partnered with Counter Terrorism Policing to highlight their safeguarding website, ACT Early, which is for parents, friends and families who are concerned about loved ones at risk of radicalisation. https://www.netmums.com/act-early

You want your child to be happy and healthy and that means you already know the places you can get help and advice if they’re not well or are struggling at school. Support is also there if you’re worried your child is being radicalised or exploited by extremists. https://actearly.uk/

Educate Against Hate:

https://www.educateagainsthate.com/parents/

A guide to PREVENTing Extremism and Radicalisation

Should I be worried?

Incidents of extremism and radicalisation are rare, but it is important to be aware about
what can be done if you have concerns. As with all safeguarding issues, it is important to
be vigilant and not complacent, but also not to panic. This will give you the information
you need to make an informed decision and help to safeguard your child.

What is extremism and radicalisation?

Prevent defines extremism as: “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values,
including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance
of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the
death of members of our armed forces” Radicalisation is defined by the UK Government
within this context, as “the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and
extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.”

At St Sidwell's, we help all our children to recognise the wonderfully diverse world that
we live in and to celebrate the similarities and differences between individuals, cultures
and communities. Exploring religious and different social beliefs, in a peaceful and
non-violent way, is part of growing up and should not be confused with something more
sinister. The best way to PREVENT extremism and radicalisation is by open discussion
and increased understanding of each other.

What can I do as a parent/carer to help my child?

You know your child better than anybody else. Having open and honest conversations on
a regular basis will allow your child to explore new ideas in a safe environment. Talk to
your child about their online viewing. Social media, such as YouTube and Tik Tok, can be
used to groom children towards a certain point of view. Discuss different points of view
concerning topics in the news, modelling that there is always more than one point of view.
Encourage your child to take an active part in their local community. This could be part of
a sports club, social group or through volunteering. Getting out, meeting and talking to
people around you helps to understand diversity and become part of a community.

What is St Sidwell's doing to PREVENT extremism and radicalisation?

All members of staff within our school have received specific PREVENT training. Children
explore ideas of community, belonging and tolerance through our RE and PSHE
curriculum, as well as through our worships. We actively promote
and reinforce our school ethos, British Values and protected characteristics with our
children in all that we do. Specific cultural events offer further
opportunities to understand and celebrate different faiths, cultures and communities.
Issues in local, national and world news are discussed, when appropriate, with the
children in an age appropriate and open fashion, allowing children to discuss and explore
different points of view and ideas.

Who should I contact if I have a concern?

For high risk PREVENT enquiries or emergencies – Tel: 999

For low risk or non-emergencies, speak to the school’s Designated Safeguarding
Lead on 0191 4893143

Tel: 101 and ask for the Local Policing Team

You can also contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on Tel: 0800 789 321

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does Prevent relate to British values?

Schools have been required to promote British values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent Strategy. British values include: Democracy The rule of law Individual liberty and mutual respect Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?

The Prevent Strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching young people values such as tolerance and mutual respect. The school will make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the students involved.

Is extremism really a risk in our area?

Extremism can take many forms, including political, religious and misogynistic extremism. Some of these are a bigger threat in our area than others. Our aim is to give students the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.

Where to go for more information.

Contact the school: If you have any questions or concerns about the Prevent Strategy, and what it means to your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school office on 0191 4893143 in the first instance.

External sources:

The following sources may also be useful for further information:

Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales, HM Government

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance/revised-prevent-duty-guidance-for-england-and-wales

Key terms

Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Ideology – a set of beliefs

Terrorism – a violent reaction against people or property, designed to create fear and advance apolitical, religious or ideological cause.

Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism.

Downloads & Useful Links