Child Protection
Click here to read our SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION STATEMENT 2023
DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEADS ARE:
Mr Chris Payne (Headteacher) cpayne@greatouse.academy
Ms Vicki Francis (Family Support Worker) vfrancis@greatouse.academy
Mrs Katrina Wright (Assistant Headteacher) kwright@greatouse.academy
IN AN EMERGENCY - PLEASE CONTACT BEDFORD BOROUGH MASH TEAM ON 01234 718700
Safeguarding at Great Ouse Primary Academy – Our Working Definition:
“How you help children and young people to feel safe and happy, and therefore more-able to reach their potential.”
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AT GREAT OUSE IS EVERBODY’S BUSINESS – RECOGNISE AND RESPOND
We all have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and at Great Ouse Primary Academy we take this responsibility seriously. This includes our adherence to statutory obligations to British Values and the Prevent Duty underpinned by appropriate policies and working practices on safeguarding and welfare which are consistent across SAF.
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IS EVERBODY’S BUSINESS
RECOGNISE
When someone working with children and young people in a paid or voluntary position has acted in a way that has or may have
- harmed a child,
- committed an offence against a child or
- acted in a way which may indicate the person is unsuitable to work with children.
You must take action to safeguard the child. This is the case whether you witness something first hand, or as a result of a complaint or allegation made by another child or adult.
RESPOND
Do not
- ignore your concerns, the complaint or allegation
- start to investigate the matter yourself
Do
- immediately discuss your concerns with the designated person at school
- in an emergency where a child has suffered an injury and/or is likely to suffer significant harm, follow child protection procedures and contact the police and social care immediately
- record what you have witnessed and/or all information that has been shared with you in detail including the adult and child/ren’s personal details
SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION FOR REGULAR VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
We all have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and at our school we take this responsibility seriously.
If you have any concerns about a child or young person in our school, you must share this information immediately with our designated person at school.
Do not think that your worry is insignificant if it is about hygiene, appearance or behaviour – we would rather you told us as we would rather know about something that appears small than miss a worrying situation.
If you think the matter is very serious and may be related to child protection, for example, physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect, you must inform our designated person. An information sharing form will need to be be completed and these are available from the designated professional or the school receptionist.
This is important!
WHAT IS THE COST OF FAILURE?
BEDFORD BOROUGH - ENCOMPASS (Domestic Abuse Notification Service)
Great Ouse Primary Academy has signed up with the Borough to be part of a school notification service where incidents of abuse have been reported in the previous 24 hours to Bedfordshire Police from households where children reside and are on roll. Please click on the link below for further details and if you have any queries, please contact Suzanne Sharpe at school on 01234 907890.
https://www.operationencompass.org/.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A CHILD
Keeping Safe Assembly for Children
During this assembly we will be talking to the children about how to keep themselves safe.
We will help the children to understand that it is their right to be happy and safe and we will remind them of some of the people they might be able to talk to if they feel worried or have something they want to share. We will also inform the children of the NSPCC’s Childline service.
NSPCC - What makes Children Feel Safe Film
NSPCC - PANTOSAURUS SONG
