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SafeGuarding

Our central and constant focus in Oak Field is to consider what is in the best interests of the child.

 

What is Safeguarding?

  • Protecting children and those within our Oak Field community from abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm.

  • Meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions.

  • Provision of First Aid

  • Effective risk assessment to ensure health and safety needs.

 

We Safeguard to ensure:

  • Our children are safe from abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm including Bullying and Cyberbullying.

  • Intimate care needs are met

  • Anti-radicalisation

  • Health and safety on educational trips and during school events.

                                         

How do we ensure we are effective in our role?

  • We educate those within our school to recognise the signs and dangers which impact on the safety of our children, staff and community.

  • Safeguarding is central to our everyday practice in order to prevent impairment of children’s health and development, ensuring every child grows up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.

  • We are aware, responsive and pro-active, taking action to enable children to achieve the best outcomes.

 

Whose responsibility is Safeguarding?

  • Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and others is everyone’s responsibility.

  • Everyone has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.

 

Who are the designated Safeguarding lead in Oak Field?

  • Luke Tweedley: Head of School

  • Kelly Bladon:  Deputy Headteacher 

  • Toni Treweeks: Safeguarding Governor

 

How does day to day practice ensure everyone is safeguarded?

  • School polices guide our day to day practice to ensure Oak Field is a safe and effective learning environment in which every child can thrive.

  • Being alert all day, everyday…

 

Safeguarding against online abuse 

Online abuse is any type of abuse that is facilitated through technology like computers, tablets, mobile phones, game consoles and other electronic devices.

Safeguarding your children - Information for parents and carers

Information and support for children and parent/carers is available from a number of sources including: www.thinkuknow.co.uk,  stopitnow.org.uk and the NSPCC Online Safety Helpline 0808 8005002

  • Speak with your child about what they do online

  • Ask them to show you some of their favourite sites

  • Show an interest in who their friends are online

  • Ask them how they decide who to be friends with

  • Try and get them to friend you online too

  • Agree the amount of time they spend online and the sites they visit

  • Think about installing parental controls on their devices

  • Raise the issue of inappropriate content. Have they seen any?

  • Make sure they know how to report abuse online.

  • Agree on some ground rules regarding how long children spend online, the websites they visit and the activities they take part in.

  • Internet service providers (ISPs), such as Virgin Media, TalkTalk, Sky or BT, provide parental controls for laptops, phones, tablets, game consoles and other devices that connect to the internet. Parental controls help you filter or restrict what your child can see online.

  • Check the privacy settings on your child’s social media accounts to keep personal information private. Talk to them about what to do if they see worrying or upsetting content or if someone contacts them and makes them feel anxious or uncomfortable. 

                                                             (Keeping Learners Safe November 2020)

Acting on Concerns and Disclosures

  • Any concerns or disclosures about a child’s welfare are reported immediately to a Safeguarding lead or senior member of staff.

 

When a concern or disclosure is shared or raised, adults follow protocol:

  • Stay Calm and Listen to the child.

  • Take what the child says seriously and accept it

  • Allow the child to continue at their own pace.

  • Let them know you will need to tell someone.

  • Reassure the child that they have done the right thing.

 

We cannot:

  • promise confidentiality

  • ask leading questions

  • confront the alleged abuser

  • ask a child to repeat what they have said

  • interview other children or parents.

  • discuss with anyone other than Safeguarding leads.

 

Reporting Concerns and Disclosures

We have a duty of care to share our concerns with parents.  If deemed necessary, contact with outside agencies, including social services and the Police will also be made.

Our central and constant focus is to consider what is in the best interests of the child.

 

Safeguarding Concerns and Disclosures regarding Staff

  • Safeguarding concerns, or allegations about staff (including volunteers), posing a risk of harm to children, should be referred to the Headteacher.

  • Concerns/allegations about the Headteacher, should be referred to the chair of governors.

 

Health and Safety - Poor or unsafe practice

  • Concerns about unsafe practice and potential failures in the school’s safeguarding

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