Tipton St John Church of England Primary School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children in school. We believe that pupils have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment which includes the right to protection from all types of abuse; where staff are vigilant for signs of any pupil in distress and are confident about applying the/our safeguarding processes to avert and alleviate any such problems.
Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm – safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment – and that we all feel safe in our environment.
devonsafeguardingchildren.org: This website will help you to understand what ‘safeguarding’ is, who is responsible for keeping children safe and what will happen if your family needs professional help.
If you are ever concerned about the safety or well‐being of someone at our school please talk to one of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs).
Responsibilities of Staff/Governors
Governors’ Committee Responsible for Safeguarding: Learning & Teaching
Safeguarding Lead Governor: Mr Mark Humphries
Designated Safeguarding Lead of Otter Valley Federation : Mrs Amanda Fulford, Executive Head of Federation
Designated Safeguarding Lead of Tipton St John Primary : Mr Pete Button, Head of School
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: ; Mr Richard Hatswell, KS2 Teacher
Policies
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that we have a Child Protection policy and procedures in place. Please click below for a school guidance leaflet for volunteers and the federation Child Protection and Safeguarding policy.
OVF Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Autumn 2022 Public Final
OVF Safeguarding Visitors Tipton leaflet 2023
Parents and carers are welcome to read the policy on request. Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare. If a member of staff is concerned about a child’s welfare, they will record their concern, and any observations or conversation heard, and report to one of the DSLs as soon as possible the same day.
If a member of staff has concerns which relate to the actions or behaviour of another member of staff (which could suggest that s/he is unsuitable to work with children) then this will be reported to one of the DSLs in confidence, and then to the Executive Headteacher (or the Chair of Governors if the concern relates to the Executive Headteacher) who will consider what action to take.
Worried about a child?
If you have serious concerns about a child or young person call:
Devon Safeguarding Hub: 0345 155 1071 or go to Devon Children and Families Partnership website: https://www.devonchildrenandfamiliespartnership.org.uk
Out of hours please call (Devon) 0845 6000 388
Or email mashsecure@devon.gcsx.gov.uk
Encompass
Tipton St John Primary School has been given the opportunity to take part in a project that will run jointly between schools and Devon and Cornwall Police Operation. Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has been exposed to, or involved in, any domestic incident.
Operation Encompass will ensure that a member of the school staff, known as a Key Adult, is trained to allow them to liaise with the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, while ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been involved in, or exposed to, a domestic abuse incident.
We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.
Useful Websites
PREVENT:
http://educateagainsthate.com/parents/
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/prevention-and-advice/your-community/prevent-extreme-views/
http://parentinfo.org/ for online advice from CEOP
CSE and FGM:
https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/prevention-and-advice/threat-assault-abuse/child-sexual-exploitation/ for CSE has links to other Partner Agencies offering advice
http://www.stop-cse.org/saysomething/
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/cse
https://www.childline.org.uk/
https://www.ceop.police.uk/
http://paceuk.info/
https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/
