Safeguarding and Child Protection

The safety and well-being of the children here at Highweek Community Primary School and Nursery is our first priority. Children cannot learn unless they feel happy and safe. We adhere to stringent Safeguarding procedures to protect the welfare of all the children who come here.

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We are committed to:

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• Establishing an ethos in which children feel secure, valued and confident of being listened to.

• Giving children the confidence to talk to adults in the school about abuse and to make disclosures to them.

• Establishing relationships with parents that build on an understanding of the school’s responsibility to protect children (and recognition that this may sometimes require referral of individual children to other child protection agencies).

• Establishing appropriate expectations of interpersonal behaviour; and developing strategies to help children to protect themselves.

• Providing training for staff in recognising signs, symptoms and behaviour which are symptomatic of abuse and in responding appropriately.

• Establishing good procedures and practices in relation to record keeping.

 

It is the moral and legal duty of all adults in charge of children to be ready to protect children in danger from abuse. Education staff have a responsibility to observe, monitor and refer suspected abuse.

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Any member of staff suspecting child abuse or neglect must refer their suspicions to the Nominated Safeguarding Lead or Head Teacher, who will then refer to Social Services if appropriate.
It is important that staff are aware that many more children experience abuse than are registered as requiring protection. It is therefore essential that school staff are vigilant in identifying abuse.

 

Useful Information:

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website: www.devonsafeguardingchildren.org

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Visit the School Policies page to read our Child Safety Policy

E-Safety

At Highweek Community Primary School and Nursery the safety of our children is of upmost importance. This includes keeping them safe when using electronic equipment and more specifically when entering the online world. E-Safety encompasses internet technologies and also electronic communications via mobile phones, games consoles and wireless technology. By educating our children in e-safety we aim to highlight the need for children and young people to think practically about the benefits, risks and responsibilities of using information technology.

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We operate an open-door policy for reporting issues relating to e-safety and very much welcome parents and carers to come into school to speak with a member of the Senior Leadership Team about any perceived problems.

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For additional support and information, please visit the links below:

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• Visit the E-Safety page in the Learning section

• Parents and Carers can visit the Childnet website for support and advice for safe use of the internet at home

• Children can visit the Kidsmart website to learn how to use the internet safely at home

• Advice for Parents on Cyber bullying – external link to Deptartment of Education(PDF)

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child Sexual Exploitation, or CSE, is a form of sexual abuse which sees children/young people being manipulated or coerced into sexual activity for receiving ‘something’ such as; gifts, money, food, attention, somewhere to stay etc.

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Technology is very often used to groom victims.  This may occur through social networking sites and mobile phones with internet access.

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CSE has gained a large amount of media attention over the last year as lots of services involved with children and young people have noticed a big rise in cases involving CSE.

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Charities such as NSPCC and Barnardos have been campaigning to raise the profile of this form of child abuse.  Information regarding CSE can be found here on their websites below:

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• NSPCC

• Barnardos

Prevent Strategy

As part of Highweek’s commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy, and take guidance from Teaching Approaches to help build resilience to extremism.

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What is the Prevent Strategy?

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The Prevent strategy is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It:

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• responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views

• provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support

• works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health)

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Please visit this link here to view the official government document.

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• Download our document (PDF) Guide for Parents – The Prevent Strategy

Concerned about a child?

 

If you have serious concerns about a child or young person, or if you need help parenting your child you can call 0345 155 1071 or email mashsecure@devon.gcsx.gov.uk

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Out of hours please call 0845 6000 388. If it is an emergency dial 999.

Designated Child Protection Officers

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Designated Child Protection Officer: Mrs Judy Martyn
Deputy Designated Child Protection Officer: Mrs Jane Bassett
Additional Designated Child Protection Officer: Mrs Lynn McLean

Additional Designated Child Protection Officer: Mrs Victoria Benfield

Additional Designated Child Protection Officer: Mrs Jacky Dawes
Educational Welfare Officer: Mowenna Griffiths
Prevent Officer: Mrs Judy Martyn
CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation) Officer: Mrs Judy Martyn
CIN (Child in Care) Officer: Mrs Victoria Benfield
E-Safety Officer: Miss Emma Hopkins