Safeguarding
At Copeland Road Primary School, we regard the safeguarding of children as our main priority. We believe that we all have the right to be safe and to learn; we all have the responsibility to make this happen.
Please see below Appendix A and B from our Safeguarding Policy, which gives detail of safeguarding staff and training:
Designated leads for Safeguarding:
- Victoria Summerfield – Headteacher
- Joanne Murray – Deputy Headteacher
- Sabrina Hughes – SENDCO
Nominated Governor for Child Protection and Safeguarding:
- Honor Tomlinson
Areas of Safeguarding
Our safeguarding policies cover all areas of school life and include:
- Recruitment – ensuring safer recruitment of new staff; All staff are recruited in line with Safer Recruitment policy and practice. The Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and at least one governor have received Safer Recruitment training. All appointments are subject to receipt of satisfactory DBS checks and references.
- Staff & Visitors – ensuring they are vetted, informed and trained in all areas of child protection and safeguarding;
- Behaviour & Safety – including respect and positive relationships, anti-bullying, online safety and promoting safe, happy behaviour and lifestyle;
- Curriculum – equipping children with the skills and attitudes to enjoy life and play an active part in society whilst keeping themselves safe;
- Premises – ensuring the school environment is secure, safe and fit for purpose;
- Prevent- protecting vulnerable pupils from possible radicalisation or extremism;
- Child sexual exploitation;
- FGM;
- Peer on peer abuse.
Staff receive regular training in safeguarding and child protection. Designated Safeguarding Leads have regular and appropriate training.
Information Sharing
We have an obligation to obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to school, including:
- emergency contact numbers;
- the child’s special dietary requirements, preferences or food allergies the child may have;
- the child’s special health requirements;
- Information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child.
Written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child’s admission to the school, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.
PARENTS & CARERS MUST TELL US OF ANY CHANGES TO THESE DETAILS.
We take confidentiality very seriously. Any information which we hold is treated as confidential and shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis. In order to keep children safe we may sometimes share information with other professionals.
Links with External Agencies
Because our first concern must be the wellbeing of your child, there may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies before we contact you. The procedures we have to follow have been laid down in accordance with the local authority child protection procedures.
We are fortunate to be supported by a range of external agencies which can be called upon to support the work we do in school. These include Durham First Contact, School Nurse, Health Practitioners, Educational Psychology, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Social Services and Specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs
Reporting Concerns or Complaints
Further to the above procedures, we have in place a complaints policy. This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern. To view our Complaints Policy please find this within our policies section.
Everyone has a responsibility to help protect children. If you have any concerns for the welfare of a child you can report these to the Durham First Contact on 03000 267979.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger you should contact the police on 999, or for non-urgent matters call 101.
