Safeguarding

'Effective safeguarding of children can only be achieved by putting children at the centre of the system, and by every individual and agency playing their full part, working together to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.'

Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2023

At Millfields Primary School we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of all our children. Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. This safeguarding statement applies to all staff, governors, volunteers, and other adults working in, or on behalf of, our school.  It is an overarching document which pulls together all of our safeguarding policies and procedures, including our Child Protection Policy which can be found on the school website. 

All school staff undertake annual child protection training, and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. We know how important it is to listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us.  Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).  On rare occasions where our concern about a child means that we have to consult other agencies, we ensure that these concerns are discussed with parents/carers first in line with our Child Protection Policy.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Natasha Bennett (Headteacher). Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs Kathryn Russell (Assistant Headteacher/SENDCo) and Mrs Anita Sparrow (School Business Manager). The Governor with responsibility for safeguarding in our school is Miss Emily Mills.

If you are worried about a child in our school, please contact us and speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads on 01206 823044 or email head@millfields.essex.sch.uk. We will follow up your concerns confidentially and in line with our safeguarding policies.

Safeguarding Information for Pupils
All children in our school are aware of a number of adults in school who they can talk to. The school is committed to ensuring that pupils are aware of behaviour towards them that is not acceptable and how they can keep themselves safe.

All pupils know that we have a senior member of staff with responsibility for child protection and know who this is.  They know where they can get additional support from other agencies, for example the NSPCC and Childline, and how they can access this support.

Children are taught, through PSHE lessons, assemblies, awareness days and through day-to-day interactions with adults, ways they can keep themselves safe both in real life situations and online.

For further information about our safeguarding policies and procedures, please see below.

Child Protection Policy and Practice
Our Child Protection Policy outlines our commitment to safeguarding, roles and responsibilities of all adults that work with children in our school and detailed practice guidance.  This policy is available on the school website.  Alternatively, a hard copy can be requested through the school office.

Keeping Children Safe in Education
Millfields Primary School, like all schools and colleges in England, follows the Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance from the Department for Education when carrying out our duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.  This guidance can be accessed here. (link to document)

Safer Recruitment and Selection
We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works in the school who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult, including volunteers and staff employed by contractors. Our safer recruitment practice pays full regard to current DFE guidance Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education and  Keeping Children Safe in Education. The DSL, deputy DSL and governor responsible for safeguarding undertake safer recruitment training. 

Whistleblowing
If members of staff, volunteers or governors have any concerns about people working in a paid or unpaid capacity with children, they have a duty of care (and in some cases a professional duty) to inform management accordingly. This can be done in writing or verbally and such issues will be managed with sensitivity and the necessary degree of confidence.

The school follows the Local Authority’s policy on whistleblowing and a copy of the School Whistleblowing Policy is available on the school website or from the school office.

The online world is forever changing and in order to keep our children safe, we as adults must ensure that our knowledge and skills are current. Parents and children may find the following resources helpful.

Childline
Childline is there to give young people a voice when no one else is listening. Whatever problems or dangers they're facing, it is a place for them to turn to for support – any time of day or night. Childline is a free, private and confidential service where children and you people can talk about anything.

They can be contacted on 0800 1111, or have a range of information, support and tools online.

Childnet International
Childnet parents and carers page – information, advice and resources for parents and carers on a wide range of topics affecting children and young people online. They also have excellent resources about how to have a conversation about the online world with your child, how to set up parental controls, create a family agreement and what to do if you are worried about a child.

Internet Matters
A range of guides, videos and toolkits to help you to keep your child safe online. These include information about key issues that may be affecting children and young people on the internet, and what to do if you’re worried about anything you or your child has seen online.

NSPCC Pants
Talk PANTS helps children understand that their body belongs to them, and they should tell someone they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.  A really useful website to help you start the conversation with your child.

Think U Know
The education programme from CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection), a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. The site has information for parents and carers and games for children of different ages to help them to learn about online safety.