St Mark's C of E Primary School

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding policy and procedure

At St Mark's C of E primary School we recognise that all of 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. We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us.

We have several members of staff who have undertaken specialist training and take on the roles of Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Lead (i.e. to deal with safeguarding and child protection concerns). Whole school training is given to all staff annually. This may be the statutory training or training around current initiatives in safeguarding and all new staff have induction training in safeguarding.

Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs Gemma Kettink

Deputy Safeguarding Leads-Jane Fendley (Head) Natalie McKenzie (Deputy Head) 

Safeguarding Governor – Mrs Amanda Healey

On rare occasions our concerns about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies even before we contact you. The law requires that schools 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 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 best interests of the child.

We also follow the Brighton and Hove Early Help model. You can read about this in the link page here.

Copies of our school Safeguarding and Whistle Blowing policies can be found here.

Useful links:

www.childline.org.uk

www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule

www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety

www.thinkuknow.co.uk

http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/safeguarding

NSPCC FGM Helpline 0800 028 3550

National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 

I am a child and I do not feel safe

  • Speak with any adult at school, any time. We are all here to help you.
  • Speak with Mrs Sellins, Miss Crouch, Miss McKenzie or Mrs Fendley  at any time.
  • Phone Childline on 0800 11 11 anytime day or night. They will help you and talk with you about your worries. The phone call is free. Your teachers will be happy to for use the phone in school – just ask.

I am an adult and I am concerned about a child

If you are concerned about the treatment of a child outside of school, you can do one of these things:

  1. Report it to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Officers (Mrs Sellins, Miss Crouch, Miss McKenzie or Mrs Fendley) by phoning the school on 01273 605588 or emailing help@stmarks.brighton-hove.sch.uk
  2. Contact Brighton and Hove Front Door for Families:
  • 01273 290400 ‐ Monday to Friday 9am ‐ 5pm
  • In an emergency, please ring 999

I am concerned about the conduct of a member of staff

 If you are concerned about how a child has been treated in school or are concerned that the conduct of a member of staff is inappropriate, you can do one of these things:

  1. Speak to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Officers (Mrs Kettink, Miss Crouch, Miss McKenzie or Mrs Fendley) by phoning the school on 01273 605588 or emailing help@stmarks.brighton-hove.sch.uk
  2. Speak to the Safeguarding Governor (Mrs Amanda Healey) or either of our Co Chairs of Governors (Mrs Amanda Healey or Mr Allistare Smedley) by phoning the school on 01273 605588 or emailing help@stmarks.brighton-hove.sch.uk
  3. Phone the Local Authority’s Designated Officer on 1273 295643 . You can find the parents/carers' guide to the LADO here.

I am concerned about an adult outside of school

If you are concerned about the safety or well-being of an adult (where children are not involved),  you can do one of these things:

  1. Contact Brighton and Hove Adult Social Services:

    01273 29 55 55- Monday to Friday 9am ‐5pm

  2. Look at the following website for advice: gov.uk/safeguarding/adults

  3. In an emergency, please ring 999

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