Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility
Children have a right to be cared for and protected, protecting them is everyone’s responsibility. Here at Lower Farm Primary School we have a duty of care to ensure that all users of the school are kept safe from harm. We are committed to provide a secure and supportive environment in which children can develop and grow into mature and responsible people. Safeguarding children is an essential part of our holistic approach to ensure that children are protected from abuse and neglect and that every child reaches their full potential.
The best interests of the children will always be our priority. As such, there are times we will need to record, monitor and share information with other agencies. We will share concerns about our pupils with the child’s parents/carers unless we have reason to believe that such a move would not be in the child’s best interest.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Sarah Rawlins (Headteacher)
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
Leah Holford (Nurture & Wellbeing Leader)
Joshua Turner (Deputy Headteacher)
Laura O’Donovan (Deputy Headteacher)
Sam Davis (Assistant Headteacher)
Lindsay Swain (SENDCo)
Katy Laugharne (KS1 & English Lead)
Amy Stanley (Before & After School Club Leader)
Designated Safeguarding Link Governor - Nigel Ford (Chair of Governors)
We have orange lanyards that clearly identify the Safeguarding team. Visitors to the school without a DBS will wear red lanyards and visitors to school who have a DBS will wear a green lanyard.
What you can do
Parents and carers play a role in safeguarding children in their community. If you have any concerns, no matter how small, you should report them to someone who you trust will listen. The school is required to have a Designated Safeguarding Lead for this purpose. Parents and children should speak to a Designated Safeguarding Lead if they have any concerns about a child or staff member.
To speak to Lower Farm Primary School Designated Safeguarding Lead - Sarah Rawlins (Headtacher) please contact 01922 710 479 or postbox@lower-farm.walsall.sch.uk
If you think a child or young person may be in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise contact Walsall Safeguarding Partnership:
· During office hours (Monday – Thursday, 8.45am – 5.15pm Friday, 8.45am – 4.45pm) call Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub: 0300 555 2866
· Out of office hours (evenings, weekends and bank holidays) Emergency Response Team Telephone: 0300 555 2922
Online Safety
Online safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Lower Farm Primary School . Our pupils are growing up in a world of ever-changing technology. While we feel that the use of technology is a largely positive aspect of modern life, we cannot ignore the risks that can be associated. We have extensive security measures in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material. Online Safety is taught to all pupils explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online using the Project Evolve digital literacy toolkit.
Throughout school we aim to teach children:
about the impact of online bullying and what to do if they have been affected.
to be vigilant when communicating online recognising that people may not always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
to tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
to question the reliability of information given through a web based source.
to search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.
It’s essential to be realistic - banning the internet or technology at home will not work and it often makes a child less likely to report a problem. Education around safe online use is essential. Talking to your child about online safety is essential because many of them will be using a wide range of technologies in their home environments, even before they start school. It is not always easy to know where to start the NSPCC and Childnet International have some useful advice on this matter.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/talking-child-online-safety/
https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/have-a-conversation
Helpful websites:
Thinkuknow http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Since 2006, it aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them.
Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/esafety-leaflets-resources/
A comprehensive web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. Some of their guidance we attach below but you can find even more by visiting the link.
NSPCC http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect - opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe.
Childnet http://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. Packed with resources it is a great resource for parents.
CEOP http://ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is part of the National Crime Agency and their website can be used to report if you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating online.
BBC https://www.bbc.com/ownit
The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most.
SafetoNet https://safetonet.com/
SafeToNet is technology that educates children “in-the-moment” as they use their device. It is a safeguarding assistant that helps them become responsible and safe digital citizens. Its power lies in a smart keyboard that detects risks in real-time. It steers children away from trouble by filtering harmful outgoing messages before they can be sent and any damage can be done.
https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/help/family-online-safety/browse
https://www.gocompare.com/broadband/parental-controls/
Operation Encompass
Lower Farm is an Operation Encompass School.
This is an initiative developed with West Midlands to ensure that school will be informed of any domestic abuse incident attended by the Police the day after the incident has occurred where a child from our school has been exposed to domestic abuse.
This will enable the school to sensitively and appropriately support the child and family to ensure they feel safe and secure after an incident of domestic abuse.
If you wish to find out further information about Operation Encompass, please do contact school and ask to speak to Miss. Holford who is our Operation Encompass key adult
For more information please visit info@operationencompass.org