The School fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection. It aims to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded from the potential risk of harm and that the safety and wellbeing of all children is of the highest priority in all aspects of the School’s work.
In addition, it aims to maintain an ethos whereby staff, pupils, parents and governors feel able to articulate concerns comfortably, safe in the knowledge that effective action will be taken as appropriate.
This Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy applies to all adults, including volunteers, working in or on behalf of the School and it is expected that everyone working in or for our School shares the responsibility to keep children safe from harm and abuse and reports any concerns to one of our four Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs).
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are:
- Elaine Lacey, Headteacher
- Sarah Boyadjians, Deputy Headteacher
Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are:
- Jenny Nicholas (SENCO & KS1 Team Leader)
- Luci Dunk (EY Team Leader)
We welcome volunteers, including parents, into our School, but at all times ensure that such volunteers are suitable to work with children. Those who volunteer time with the children on a regular basis are required to undergo enhanced DBS checks.
The value of direct teaching on the subjects of respect, healthy relationships and keeping oneself safe is recognised as a key feature of the School’s proactive and preventative approach to safeguarding. Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) teaching includes units on themes and topics such as Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco Education, Sex and Relationships Education, Stranger Danger and e-safety issues. Children are encouraged to explore and discuss these issues in a safe environment. Parents of older children, who undertake specific units of work on sex education, will be informed before the teaching takes place and have the opportunity to view teaching materials.
Links to our safeguarding policies are below:
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Data Protection and GDPR
E-Safety
E-Safety Handbook
First Aid
Freedom of Information
Health & Safety
Intimate Care Summary
Positive Handling
Prevent
Prevent Policy Pamphlet
Online-Safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Belmont Primary School .
We recognise that pupils will use these technologies outside school and need to learn how to take care of their own safety and security. We fully acknowledge our responsibilities for e-safety, including a responsibility to educate our pupils about the benefits and risks of using new technology and the provision of safeguards and information for all users to enable them to control their online experiences.
Help & Advice
Hounslow Early Help
The Hounslow Early Help Offer is a collection of services which aim to provide effective support to families as soon as difficulties start, to prevent them from getting worse. These services cover a range of areas, from parenting to health to education to support for teenagers.
Working with early help services does not mean you are involved with social services. It is about offering additional support. If things change and there is a possibility that social care may be a better service to support your family then this will be discussed with you and you will be kept involved.
Please speak to Mrs Boyadjian (Deputy Head) if you feel your family would benefit from the Early Help Offer.
https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/downloads/file/2792/early_help_leaflet_for_families
Hounslow Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
This is a government’s initiative to improve access to mental health support
for children and young people.
The MHST is an integral part of Hounslow Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and will work with parents/carers of children presenting mild to moderate anxiety or behavioural difficulties.
Please speak to Mrs Nicholas (SENDCO) if you feel your family would benefit from support from MHST.
Hounslow Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS):
https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk/services/gp-information/cahms
Information, resources and support for helping you understand how to deal with your anxiety
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
Information for young people about emotions and mental health.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Parents – call the parents helpline 0808 802 5544
Prevent
“Safeguarding vulnerable people from radicalisation is no different from safeguarding them from other forms of harm”.
Prevent is part of Central Government’s counter terrorism strategy CONTEST.
The Prevent Strategy aims to stop people becoming radicalized and being drawn into terrorism in all its forms.
We are committed to providing a secure environment for pupils, where children feel safe and are kept safe. All adults in our school recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility irrespective of the role they undertake or whether their role has direct contact or responsibility for children or not. This policy is concerned with safeguarding the welfare of children who may be exposed to radicalisation or extremist ideas as defined by The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (‘The Act’)
Supporting children worried about terrorism (NSPCC)
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/news-opinion/supporting-children-worried-about-terrorism/
How to talk to children about terrorism (The Conversation)
https://theconversation.com/how-to-talk-to-children-about-terrorism-78290
