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Covingham Park Primary School

Safeguarding

Safeguarding Information 

At Covingham Park Primary School, we provide a safe, caring environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child free from discrimination or bullying where children can learn and develop happily. We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding Policy.

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare. 

If you have any concerns/questions in relation to a child’s safety or wellbeing, please contact one of the Safeguarding Team:

  • Mrs Andrews – Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children
  • Mrs Crabbe – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead 
  • Mrs Muir - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and SENDCo
  • Mrs Jerram - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead 

The above staff can be contacted via the school office or by calling the school on 01793 525465

Any action is taken in line with the following legislation/guidance:

Our safeguarding policy can be found within the document and policies area of the website.

Please see the Blue Kite Trust Academy Trust Safeguarding Statement: BKAT-Safeguarding-Statement (bluekitetrust.org.uk)

E-Safety

We live in an ever-changing, digital world with children increasing having access to the internet and mobile apps. Keeping safe online is a vital part of safeguarding the pupils at Covingham Primary School. We actively teach children about keeping safe online through our cross-curricular computing curriculum and dedicated e-safety sessions. This includes how we stay safe and respect others, and how we share concerns should we have any. 

If you have any e-safety concerns, you can contact Miss Smith - our computing lead - via the school office, your child’s teacher or Mrs Andrews. Useful links and information are on the school website in the learning tab under e-safety. Please look here for further information. 

Extremism and Radicalisation

We actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism within society. It is vital that staff and parents are aware of the possible danger of extremism and radicalisation of children, predominantly but not solely through online activities. We are committed to supporting parents and pupils to be aware of these dangers. The document below provides further information on this. Staff training is carried out in this area.
Channel Duty Guidance

Pastoral Care and Early Help Support

At Covingham Park Primary, we aim to support all our children so that they are happy, confident individuals who develop into positive learners and members of both the school and the wider community. We recognise that all people can have times when they feel that they need additional support to help achieve this for a variety of reasons.  See also our well-being page for further information.

All staff at Covingham Park Primary, teaching and non-teaching, have made a commitment to the Behaviour Policy and the Safeguarding Policy.  These can be found in our Documents and Policies section. We have a clear emphasis on encouraging children to express any concerns that they have to someone whom they choose - teachers, non -teaching staff and the Headteacher.

Parents are also reminded that they need to `tell’ if there are any concerns expressed by their child. We particularly encourage parents to phone before or after school, between 8:00am and 4:00pm. In this way, issues can be resolved and we can work more effectively together. We would rather hear about concerns so that we can support and take appropriate actions. 

We strongly believe in a multi-agency approach when working with identified students and are fortunate to have access to the following agencies:

  • Lighthouse Support staff as part of the Blue Kite Trust trained to support children's emotional needs and development
  • Parent Support Advisors through Lighthouse
  • Education and welfare officers through Lighthouse and SBC
  • Locality School Nurse
  • Police  – Local PCSOs
  • Our trained Young Carer staff member
  • Our trained ELSA staff member
  • Loss and Bereavement support and guidance from a range of professionals

If you wish to discuss anything in relation to Pastoral Support for your child, please contact Mrs Andrews, Headteacher.

Early Help

Early help is support which we are able to offer to help improve outcomes for children. This can be for a range of reasons - support to access services, guidance on a range of topics such as sleeping, behaviour or encouraging good food choices. Early help can be through booking in for a drop in session or through arranging a series of sessions with Lighthouse. If you do feel you would like support, please see the office to book an appointment with them.

Through our work with SWA (Society without Abuse), we can also offer confidential sessions with a support worker if you or someone who know is suffering from Domestic Abuse.

If you would like to know more about services available in Swindon please follow this link: Early Help and Graduated Response

Information for children and families for outside school hours

During any time school is closed you may feel worried, anxious or unsafe. Don’t forget there are also organisations you can contact for support.

Childline Free telephone number: 0800 1111 Or  E mail via the website Childline.org.uk  

Calling the number above will connect you to a one to one counsellor, who you can talk to about your worries.

 

PREVENT
ENCOMPASS MASH

Operation Encompass is a partnership between police and schools, a school can only join if the local police force has already joined Operation Encompass.

 One of the principles of Operation Encompass is  that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified.

 The Key Adult in school is the person who receives information about police attended Domestic Abuse incidents.

The Key Adult will be notified prior to the start of the next school day that the police have attended an incident of domestic abuse. This timely information sharing enables appropriate support to be provided for that child so that all interactions, from when the child first arrives at the school gates, are of a positive nature.

The Key Adult must be trained as a Designated or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Encompass mandates a secure record-keeping trail, which may be electronic or paper based. Within Operation Encompass all records are managed at Child Protection level with the highest level of security and confidentiality, and in full accordance with GDPR. These records are held by police and schools only. Operation Encompass does not hold the records and never has access to these records.

NSPCC

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/

Please take a look at this short film put together by the UK Safer Internet Centre. A brilliant one and a half minutes highlighting why the Safer Internet Day is important, and how awareness of internet dangers is vital to the lives of children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl_gZTQ9F7w

Share Aware overview

Share Aware, from NSPCC and O2, gives parents all the tools they need to have regular and informed conversations with their child about staying safe online. Under 20% of parents discuss online safety regularly with their children but we want to get every family talking about their child’s life online, just as they would their day at school.

Parents can sign up to the Icebreaker email series and become an expert in their child’s online world in 6 weeks, follow our four simple steps to keeping kids safe online, watch our film ‘Safety advice from a 10 year old’ or visit Net Aware – our guide to your child’s social networks apps and games.

The internet is a great place for kids to be, being Share Aware makes it safer.

  • Don’t download APPS rated above your age.
  • Don’t answer messages from unknown people.
  • Don’t share personal information e.g., your full name.
  • Be kind online, even if you’re anonymous.
  • Ask for help if you’re unsure about something.
  • Use the internet with your parents or a trusted adult.
  • Only talk to people you know.
  • Make comments positive.
  • Only say helpful and true things.
  • Use appropriate devices.
  • Only post appropriate images.
  • Never enter your data into suspicious websites.
  • If you’re unhappy, tell a trusted adult and turn off.