E-mail contact : DSL@westdene.brighton-hove.sch.uk
Safeguarding at Westdene
Children at Westdene express that they feel safe. Due to a detailed and well-planned curriculum, which addresses the wide range of safeguarding issues thoroughly, they know how to stay safe.
All our staff and other adults working within the school are clear about procedures concerning the safety of children and there are named and designated leads who pursue any concerns rigorously (Lisa Hagon, Assistant Head teacher and Debbie Bowden Pupil Welfare Officer)
We aim to ensure that all children can identify a trusted adult with whom they can talk about any concerns. They report that adults listen to them and take their concerns seriously. Where children have been or are at risk, such a trusted adult has often been instrumental in helping them to be safe in accordance with agreed local procedures. Where adults working with children are concerned about their safety or welfare, written records using online software are made in a timely way and held securely. These records are shared appropriately where necessary and with the necessary consent.
What is SAFEGUARDING?
Schools play an essential role in protecting children from abuse. They have regular contact with children and young people so are in a strong position to identify signs of abuse and neglect.
Our school can safeguard children by:
- creating safe environments for children and young people through robust safeguarding practices.
- ensuring that adults who work in the school, including volunteers, don't pose a risk to children.
- making sure staff are trained, know how to respond to concerns and keep-up-to-date with policy and practice.
- teaching children and young people about staying safe.
- maintaining an environment where children feel confident to approach any member of staff if they have a worry or problem.
Source: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection-schools
Westdene Safeguarding Policy
Westdene Primary School's safeguarding policy provides clear direction to all school stakeholders about expected practice in dealing with safeguarding issues. It makes explicit the school’s commitment to the development of good practice and effective procedures, ensuring that safeguarding concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in a way that supports and protects the needs of the child.
CLICK HERE to view our policy: Westdene Primary School Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
OUR VALUES AND ETHOS
We believe that this school should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical, spiritual and moral development of the individual child; enabling all children to thrive.
- We recognise the importance of providing an environment within our school that will help children feel safe and respected. We recognise the importance of enabling children to talk openly and to feel confident that they will be listened to. We recognise that both mental and physical health are relevant to safeguarding and the welfare of children
- We recognise that all adults within the school, including permanent, supply staff, temporary staff, volunteers, parents and governors, have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm.
- We will work with parents to build a solid understanding of the school’s responsibilities to ensure the welfare of all children, including the need for referrals to other agencies in some situations.
- We recognise the importance of providing an environment within our school that will help children feel safe and respected. We recognise the importance of enabling children to talk openly and to feel confident that they will be listened to. We recognise the need to teach the skills they need to stay safe and to ask for help if they need it.
OPERATION ENCOMPASS
Our school is part of Operation Encompass. This is a joint project with Sussex Police which started in September 2018. The project provides early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents involving children (incidents in which a child was present, ordinarily resides at the incident location or with an involved party).
We know that children and young people can be significantly affected through witnessing or being exposed to domestic abuse and this operation will allow our school to better support our pupils/students and their families. A nominated member of school staff, known as a Key Adult, is Lisa Hagon and Debbie Bowden. They will be able to use information that has been shared with them, in confidence, to ensure that the right support is available should it be required by a child/young person and/or their family. We are keen to offer the best support available to our pupils/students and we believe this is going to be extremely beneficial for all those involved.
Additional information about Operation Encompass is available at www.operationencompass.org
PREVENT STATEMENT
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There is no place for extremist views of any kind in our school, whether from internal sources- pupils, staff, visiting adults, governors or external sources- school community, external agencies or individuals.
Any prejudice, discrimination or extremist views, including derogatory language, displayed by pupils, staff, visitors or parents will always be challenged and where appropriate, dealt with. We encourage pupils to respect the fundamental British values of: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We ensure that partisan political views are not promoted in the teaching of any subjects in the school and where political issues are brought to the attention of the pupils, reasonably practicable steps are taken to offer a balance presentation of opposing views the pupils.
Additional information about Prevent is available at: https://www.safeinthecity.info/getting-help/preventing-terrorism-and-extremism
