Safeguarding Information and Policies

Safeguarding children is taken extremely seriously at Telford Infant School. We are wholly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we believe that keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility.

We recognise it is our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support and protection. School staff are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early, provide help for children and prevent concerns from escalating.

Under the Education Act 2002 (Section 175 for maintained schools/Section 157 for academies/free/independent schools), schools must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.  Parents/carers should know that the law (Children Act 1989) requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse.  Staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with the parent/carer and discuss the need to make a referral to Children’s Social Care if that is considered necessary.  This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm or cause undue delay.  The school will seek advice from Children’s Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.  Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later found to be unfounded.  Parents/carers will appreciate that the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputies carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acts in the best interests of all children.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment which can be accessed by clicking on the links below. All our policies and procedures are underpinned by 'Keeping Children Safe in Education':

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Staff and Volunteer Behaviour Policy - Code of Conduct

Low Level Concerns Policy

Online Safety Policy

Preventing Radicalisation Policy

Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblowing) Policy

FURTHER INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND CARERS

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre 
Drug information
Family Information Service
National Domestic Violence Helpline 
Support Line
Young Carers 
Young Minds– mental Health support
CW RISE- local mental health services
Childline- advice on many topics, free 24/7 support line
NHS Every Mind Matters- mental health and self-care for young people
Young Carers – 02476 217740  https://www.warwickshireyoungcarers.org.uk/
Samaritans Helpline 116 123  https://www.samaritans.org/
Childline – 0800 1111  https://www.childline.org.uk/
Bereavement support  helpline@cruse.org.uk or 0808 808 1677
Parent Support Information https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/parentguides
COMPASS Warwickshire School Health and Wellbeing Service – 03300245204 /Text 07520619376
Family Lives - https://www.familylives.org.uk/

 

KEY SAFEGUARDING PERSONNEL

Louise Roberts

Designated Safeguarding Lead, Designated Lead for PREVENT, Safer Recruitment Lead

Mrs Kate Walsh

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Natalie Jarvis

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Fin McCarthy

Governor with responsibilty for Safeguarding

Sarah Boad

Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding

SAFER RECRUITMENT
Telford Infant School is committed to the principles of safer recruitment and adopts recruitment procedures that help identify, deter and/or reject people who are not suitable to work with children. It is recognised that this can only be achieved through rigorous procedures that result in the recruitment and retention of  employees and volunteers who are suited to the roles they undertake. Our Safer Recruitment processes are rigorous and all staff recruited to the school, as well as volunteers, are subject to a range of appropriate checks. 
Leaders who have been trained in Safer Recruitment are:
*Mr Fin McCarthy - Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding and Chair of Governors
*Mrs Sandy Madahar - School Business Manager
*Mrs Francesca Berry - SMILES Manager
*Mrs Theresa Carter - Governor
*Mrs Libby Semple - Governor
*Mrs Sarah Boad - Governor with responsibilty for Safeguarding
 
Our Safer Recruitment Policy can be found by following the link below:

Safer Recruitment and Employment Policy
Telford Infant School works in partnership with Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire Children’s Services to support pupils who are affected by incidents of domestic violence and abuse through a scheme is called Operation Encompass.

When the Police attend any incident of domestic violence or abuse in any household in which a pupil of the school lives, Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) receive a confidential and secure Email on the morning of the next school day, notifying them that there has been an incident and that the child may need support. 

On receipt of any such notification, DSLs ensure that teachers and other staff directly in contact with affected children support them with due kindness, care and sensitivity.  In addition to supporting children, the process means that the school is also in a position to offer parents and carers support as appropriate. 

The information provided to the school is managed and stored with the utmost sensitivity and discretion consistent with all other confidential safeguarding records.