Safeguarding statement
The health, safety and welfare of all our children are of paramount importance to all the adults who work in our school. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe in our school.
The school is required to have rigorous policies and procedures in place to safeguard children. All staff have had training in child protection. Some have undertaken further specialist training. One member of staff has the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (i.e. to deal with safeguarding and child protection concerns), and two others act as deputies whenever necessary.
If staff have any concerns about a child then we follow the procedures outlined in our policy, which may include reporting concerns to social services. It may be helpful to know that the law places a duty on the Principal and their staff to report any obvious signs or suspected cases of child abuse – which include non-accidental injury, neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. The procedures are intended to protect children at risk and all schools and academies nationally are expected to take the attitude that where there are grounds for concern it is better to be safe than sorry. This does mean that the school staff risks upsetting some parents/carers by reporting a case which, on investigation, proves unfounded. In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents and carers would accept that the staff acted in what were believed to be the child’s best interests.
In line with government requirements, the school maintains a central list of checks on appointed staff and adults who work in or visit the school. Any volunteers or parents working in the school are also subject to background checks.
The school has an agreed Safeguarding Policy which is available to download from website policies page.
The aim of the policy is to:
• provide a safe environment for children to learn in;
• establish what actions the school can take to ensure that children remain safe, at home as well as at school;
• raise the awareness of all staff to these issues, and to define their roles and responsibilities in reporting possible cases of abuse;
• identify children who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm;
• ensure effective communication between all staff on child protection issues;
• set down the correct procedures for those who encounter any issue of child protection.
Operation Encompass
Please note Flowery Field Primary School works alongside Greater Manchester Police as part of Operation Encompass. This programme aims to support children who are affected by domestic violence. If you have any other questions about this project, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
The school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs C Silk. The Deputies are Mrs L. Jeffers and Mrs R.Radford.
If you have any concerns about a child please come and speak to one of them, in confidence.