We are committed in our responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of the children entrusted into our care, by establishing a safe environment in which children can learn, develop and flourish. We fully understand that prompting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility and have clear systems in place to ensure our procedures are highly effective. All policies and procedures in reference to Child Protection are formally reviewed each year. All staff receive Safeguarding and online safety updates on a yearly basis.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs N Fox
Our Deputy Safeguarding Leads are Mrs G Padfield, Miss L Priestley, Miss N Creamer and Miss J Bedford
Our Designated Governor for Safeguarding is Mrs Rebecca Jump
If you have concerns relating to the safety or welfare of your child, or a child you know, you should act without delay. You can contact any member of the above safeguarding team, via the school office, on 01226 394050.
Upon arrival at our school, you will be required to sign in and your photograph will be taken. ID and necessary documentation, such as a DBS, will be checked. You will be made aware of key safety information and prompted to refer any concerns, during your visit, to our Designated Safeguarding Team. You will see their names and photographs on posters displayed around the school and on the visitor information sheet which you will be given as you sign in. You will also find this information on the back of the lanyard you will be given, to hold your ID print out badge.
If we are concerned that a pupil may be at risk of abuse or neglect, we will follow the agreed safeguarding procedures. The procedures have been written to protect all pupils. They comply with our statutory responsibilities and are designed to support pupils, families and staff. The procedures are based on the principle that the welfare of the child is the most important consideration.
In almost all circumstances, we will talk to parents about our concerns and we will also tell them if we feel we must refer our concerns to Children’s Social Care. If we think that talking to parents might, in some way, increase the risk to the child, we will report our concerns to Children’s Social Care and take advice from them.
All child-protection records are kept separate from a pupil’s general school file. The only members of staff who have access to the records are those who need to know about the concerns in order to protect and support pupils.
Child protection is a very sensitive issue and it raises many questions and a range of strong emotions. We will do everything we can do to support our pupils and you can be assured that any action we take will be in their best interests.
The processes which we follow, to fulfil our statutory responsibilities can be found in the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
Our policies and processes are written in line with the documents Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
You can access our Safeguarding Policy on the Documents & Policies page.
You can access Local Authority Guidance on What to Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused here.
At Darton Primary School, we recognise our responsibility to protect pupils from the risk of radicalisation and extremism. As part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities, we fully comply with the Prevent Duty, which places a legal requirement on schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
We aim to provide a safe and inclusive environment where pupils are encouraged to develop resilience, critical thinking skills, and an understanding of shared values such as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Our approach to Prevent is proportionate, informed, and aligned with national guidance. Staff receive appropriate training to identify concerns early and to respond effectively, working in partnership with families and external agencies where necessary.
Further information about the Prevent Duty can be found in the government’s guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance
Effective and timely information sharing is essential to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. At Darton Primary School, we follow key principles set out in the government’s Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners Providing Safeguarding Services to support confident, lawful and appropriate sharing of information when there are concerns about a pupil’s safety or wellbeing. This guidance helps ensure that information is shared securely, proportionately and with the child’s best interests at the centre.
You can read the full guidance here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66320b06c084007696fca731/Info_sharing_advice_content_May_2024.pdf
You can access Multi-Agency Statutory Guidance on Female Genital Mutilation here.
Child Missing in Education