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Upton Junior School

Upton Junior School

One Childhood - One Chance

SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION

SAFEGUARDINGKEEPING YOUR CHILDREN SAFE IN SCHOOL

Our primary concern is to ensure all children at Upton feel HAPPY and SAFE with us.  If we can do this, then all of our children will be successful in their learning journey.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):Camilla Claxton, SENCo (senco@uptonjunior.com) / Darci Arthur, Head of School (headofschool@uptonjunior.com)

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads:  Ross Kettle, Assistant Head / Gemma Scarr, Assistant Head / Angie Turner, Learning Mentor / Zoe Danson, Learning Mentor

Nominated Upton Governor responsible for Child Protection: Robin Curtis

Viking Academy Trust Lead Governor: Joanna Brand

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Pupils are safe and have opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe. They enjoy learning about how to stay healthy and about emotional and mental health, safe and positive relationships and how to prevent misuse of technology.

Safeguarding means:

  • protecting children from abuse and maltreatment

  • preventing harm to children’s mental and physical health or development

  • ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care

  • taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.

Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.

What is Child Protection?

Child Protection is part of Safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm. 

Upton Junior School regularly reviews all safeguarding policies and procedures in line with the most recent government guidance including:

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children

  • Keeping Children Safe in Education

  • What to do if you are worried a Child is being Abused-Advice for Practioners 

  • COVID-19: Safeguarding in Schools, Colleges and other Providers

SAFEGUARDING / Child Protection Policy 

Please see the bottom of the page for our current Child Protection Policy. All other relevant policies can be found on the VAT Policies site.

Staff Understanding and Training

 Everyone who works with children has a responsibility for keeping them safe. No single practitioner can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances and, if children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action. Staff are trained annually to ensure they are update on all current legislation and are clear on what to do if they have a safeguarding concern. Visual prompts around the school remind them of this throughout the working day.There is also additional training where necessary on key elements of safeguarding e.g. FGM, CSE, Prevent, Online Safety etc.

Keeping Children Safe in Education - Mandatory Government Guidance

Please see the current version of this document at the bottom of the page. The document contains information on what schools should do and sets out the legal duties with which schools must comply.  The guidance states that 'all staff should be aware of systems within their school which support safeguarding and these should be explained to them as part of staff induction.' This should include: 

  • the Child Protection policy

  • the Behaviour Policy

  • the Whistle Blowing Policy

  • the Acceptable Use Policy

  • the Staff Code of Conduct policy

  • the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead  (DSL)

  • the Online Safety Policy

It is imperative that all staff read this guidance (at least Part 1 and Annexes A+B) and provide consent that they have done so (a register exists to determine this). Schools must have regard to the guidance when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. All in-school volunteers are asked to read an Induction Pack containing key safeguarding information - they are required to sign to confirm they are aware of the school Safeguarding procedures and what to do if they have a concern.

Children's Mental Health

All staff are aware that mental health problems can be an indicator that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Where children have suffered abuse and neglect, or other potentially traumatic adverse childhood experiences, this can have a lasting impact throughout childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. 

If a member of staff has a mental health concern that is also a safeguarding concern they will follow the Safeguarding Policy and inform the DSL.

Mandatory Reporting of FGM - Procedural information 

From 31 October 2015 it is mandatory for teachers, health and social workers to report to the police if they find, or are told, someone under 18 has undergone FGM. 

The Prevent Duty 

As part of Upton's ongoing safeguarding and child protection duties, we are fully behind the government's Prevent Strategy.

From 1 July 2015, all schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of their functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the Prevent Duty for Schools.

Upton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children and families.  We recognise that in an ever-changing and fast-moving world it is essential that we promote children's well-being, confidence and resilience, and that we provide them with up to date and age-appropriate information and signpost them to places where they can find support, where necessary.

We see protecting our children from the risk of radicalisation as part of  our wider safeguarding duties, and that it is similar in nature to protecting students from other harms (e.g. drugs, gangs, cyber-bullying, neglect, and sexual exploitation), whether these come from within their family or are the product of outside influences. We acknowledge the ‘Prevent Duty’ and we have due regard to the need to prevent children and their families from being drawn into any illegal activity, including terrorism.

We build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British Values and enabling our pupils to challenge extremist views.  Click here to access Educate Against Hate website.

At Upton Junior School all staff and governors are expected to uphold the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values are promoted through our values and ethos, the curriculum, citizenship, assembly themes and PHSE work.

 All our staff and governors have undertaken the Channel Awareness accredited training developed by the National Counter Policing Headquarters (NCTPHQ), in conjunction with the College of Policing which includes guidance on how to identify people who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism, and how to refer them into the Channel process. Channel is a key process within the Prevent strategy for assessing individuals’ vulnerability to being drawn into terrorism. It focuses on early intervention and diverting people away from risk.

Please click here to access departmental advice for schools on the Prevent Duty (DFE). Alternatively, you can also refer to Keeping Children Safe in Education below for further information as well as our Safeguarding/Child Protection Policy and British Values statement. 

Referrals to Children's Social Care

Please refer to the 'Referrals to Social Services' information at the bottom of the page.

Procedure for dealing with concerns or allegations of abuse against staff/Headteacher 

All relevant policies can be found on the VAT policies section of our website. Policy (in line with statutory guidance from the DFE) is designed to ensure that all staff (including supply staff and volunteers), students and parents or carers are aware of the procedure for the investigation of allegations of abuse or Low Level Concerns in order that all complaints are dealt with consistently, and as efficiently as possible. 

After School Procedure for Uncollected Children/Children Missing 

Please click here to access the procedure for uncollected children/children missing/absent at the end of the day.

Further Resources

Day to Day safeguarding: Collection at the end of the school day

New parents receive information regarding the end of the school day, with us asking you to notify us if your child leaves the school premises unaccompanied.  Stringent measures have been put in place because we have every child’s safety as a priority and appreciate the end of the school day is an extremely busy time.  Likewise, collection from our various after school clubs is as equally important.  Ensure the Club Leader is made aware of collection arrangements – especially if this changes from one week to the next.  To do this, please contact the school office.

We ask that you always share information with us; please don’t ever feel that you are making a fuss or we don’t need to know.  Even at the top end of the school, our children are only 11 years old, and we must work together and communicate effectively.  This will be even more important as and when the dark nights draw in.

As parents, your ideas on improvements we could make at school would always be welcomed. Please email your suggestions or talk to Miss Arthur on the school gate. (headofschool@uptonjunior.com)

Security on the School Site 

Every member of staff wears a photo I.D name card.  Visitors and volunteers wear ‘colour-coded’ lanyards to show they have followed the security checks at reception.  We ask parents to enter the school via the office unless specifically told otherwise (Sports Day, Summer Fair etc).

Special assemblies highlight important safety messages of ‘stranger danger’, emphasising the need for children to ‘speak out’ if they feel vulnerable in any way.

Gates and doors are locked when the children come into school for registration. Security buttons and key codes protect the children so that they can get out in an emergency but no one from the outside can enter the school building. The Governor’s Health & Safety Team regularly inspect the school for safety measures and ensure that all locks and systems are working effectively.

 

Criminal Records Bureau Checks - DBS 

Everyone who works with your children are DBS checked which means that the Criminal Bureau has checked their suitability to work with children. All the volunteers, PTFA and Governors have up to date DBS’s and the Governors check that the Single Central Record in school is accurate and comprehensive.

 

Child Protection 

Every single member of staff holds a current Child Protection Training Certificate from the Local Authority. They are trained in recognising signs of abuse and knowing what to do if they have concerns about any child in school.

All supply teachers and volunteers are provided with a Safeguarding Leaflet when they first visit the school so that they are aware of all the school’s procedures. The Governors monitor this and ensure procedures are being followed.

Online-Safety 

E-Safety is fundamental in our quest to keep children safe – at home and school.  Regular assemblies focus upon how children should use the Internet safely and the risks if children have unrestricted access to sites they are too young for.  If a site has an age restriction, then it is there for the safety of all children (one social networking site has a recommended age of 13+).

The number of children who have reported incidents of ‘cyberbullying’ has increased tenfold over the last decade according to a report from ‘ChildLine’.  Again, we discuss this with our children in school regularly – but the more access a child has to social networking sites- the greater the chance conversations between children can become unregulated.

It is not a school’s position to tell parents how to raise their children – we are obliged however, to advise and share concerns.  The Internet has so many positives (life without ‘google’, it’s hard to remember life before google!!!!!!) but the Internet can also open the door to a world our children should be protected from.

Parents' Guides

If you would like further information regarding keeping your children safe on the Internet please visit:

Important top tips to help children enjoy the Internet safely: 

  • Remember to never give out personal information (name, address, telephone number, school etc).

  • Make sure they know who it is they are talking to online – real friends & family.

  • Be nice to people online like you would in a playground!

  • If they feel unsure or worried to always tell an adult!

How you can help staff keep children safe… 

To further enhance our end of day safeguarding procedures we have a robust system in place to monitor children that have been given permission to leave school unaccompanied by an adult:

If your child leaves school at the end of each school day unaccompanied by an adult we at Upton need to know because the safety of your child is the absolute highest priority for us.

Our policy states, ...'pupils who leave the school gates on their own at the end of a school day, will be given a credit card-sized permit to produce to the staff members manning the gates at home-time so we know the children have your permission to leave'.

So if your child leaves the school premises alone (even if they are meeting you on the corner of the road) please spare five precious minutes to complete the 'Leaving School Unaccompanied' form by clicking on this link or you can collect a paper copy from the school office.

Pupils will be given ‘colour-coded’ permits to visibly highlight the end of school day permissions and procedures.

Walking/Cycling to school 

It is also equally important that we know whether your child arrives in school unaccompanied.  By completing the above mentioned form the school will then be alerted of a possible problem if your child doesn’t arrive at school for registration and a member of staff will call you at the start of the school day.

We have a bicycle shelter for children to ‘park’ their cycles during the school day.  We recommend bikes are locked.  We expect cycling helmets to be worn by all children cycling to and from school. Please click here to read our Cycling Policy.

Sending Children Home 

If your child is going home with a friend, another family member or anyone different from their normal collection person please let their class teacher or the school office know. It can save a lot of difficulties as staff can only let children leave the school with named contacts.

Parking 

Edge End and the surrounding roads continue to be a hazardous place for children because the parking is so congested at drop off and collection times. We all have a responsibility to keep the children safe. Please park responsibly!

Please take the time to use the ‘drop-off zone’ if you drive your child to school. You then have the assurance that your child has arrived on school premises safely.

We hold ‘Road Safety’ assemblies across the year to highlight hazards to children and encourage them to take an active role in promoting staying safe. 

Road Crossing Patrol 

We are very lucky to have a RCP, Mr Callanan who assists the children crossing the Broadstairs Road. Please continue to use Mr Callanan, as a safe place to cross the road at the beginning and end of the day.  

If you drive to school, please take the time to use the ‘drop-off zone’ if you drive your child to school. You then have the assurance that your child has arrived on school premises safely.

Staying safe is a key outcome for our children at Upton.

Contact Us

Upton Junior School
Edge End Road
Broadstairs
Kent
CT10 2AH

(01843) 861393