Safeguarding Statement

"Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility"

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in helping to keep children safe. It is particularly important to identify early concerns, provide help for children at risk, promote children’s welfare and prevent concerns from escalating. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals at Bishop Monkton School make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

Safeguarding includes the establishment and implementation of procedures to protect children from deliberate harm; however, safeguarding also encompasses all aspects of pupils' health, safety and well-being. 

Bishop Monkton CE Primary School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in school and all our staff, governors and volunteers have regular, up to date Child Protection training.

Bishop Monkton CE Primary School follows the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board (NYSCB) procedures. The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their child/ren. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The school will of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents. The school’s Child Protection Manual is available publicly and applies to all adults, including volunteers, working in or on behalf of the school.

SCHOOL COMMITMENT

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Sally Cowling and the people who deputises in her absence is:  Rachel West

The Safeguarding Governor is: Anna Kirby

School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its pupils. Each pupil’s welfare is of paramount importance. We recognise that some children may be especially vulnerable to abuse such as those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or those living in adverse circumstances. We recognise that children who are abused or neglected may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world in a positive way. Whilst at school, their behaviour may be challenging. We recognise that some children who have experienced abuse may harm others. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support all of our pupils.

PREVENT

As part of Bishop Monkton CE Primary School's ongoing safeguarding and child protection duties we are fully behind the government’s Prevent Strategy.

From 1 July 2015 all schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of their functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the Prevent Duty for Schools.

At our school we build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling our pupils to think for themselves and challenge extremist views.

The statutory guidance refers to the importance of Prevent awareness training to equip staff to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism and to challenge extremist ideas. The Home Office has developed a core training product for this purpose – Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent (WRAP). All our staff and Governors have completed Prevent training on what Prevent is about and how to deal with any issues they may see inside or outside school.

FIRST AID

At Bishop Monkton School we ensure that there are sufficient staff trained in Paediatric First Aid and First Aid at Work, to ensure that we can deal effectively with minor injuries and accidents that occur.

HEALTH AND WELFARE

In order to support all our children effectively please do talk to us about any concerns you may have, or any changes in family circumstances. Referrals to Early Help can be made and the support of a family support worker can help during challenging times.

Please inform the school if your child has any specific problems or difficulties e.g. allergies, dietary problems, difficulties sleeping. Staff can only administer prescribed and named medication which needs to be taken during school hours. Parents must complete an authorisation form which can be obtained from the school office.

Please ensure the school is informed of any changes  to contact and emergency details.

Useful Links:

Prevent Duty Guidance

North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership

Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2023

Bishop Monkton School Child Protection Policy 2023