What is Safeguarding?
If you have any safeguarding concerns about a child, you must act by reporting your concerns. If a child is in immediate danger, call the police straight away on 999. You can report concerns directly to Lancashire County Council by calling 0300 123 6720 or out of hours 0300 123 6722.
The NSPCC allows you to report concerns online, by phone and email. Their website also contains lots of information, including: Spotting the signs of child abuse, Keeping children safe online, Children's mental health, Sex and relationships and Talking about drugs and alcohol.
At Mossgate Primary School, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the physical, mental and emotional welfare of every pupil. With regard to 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (2023) and 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' (2023), we implement a whole-school preventative approach to safeguarding, ensuring that the wellbeing of all pupils is at the forefront of all action taken.
Our whole-school approach includes:
- A broad and balanced curriculum which teaches children to be safe and manage risks on and offline through PSHEC, Computing, Science, RE and PE
- Safe and secure site and building
- Robust safer recruitment practices
- Regular and effective safeguarding training for all staff in school regardless of their role - based on the latest national and local guidance
- Clear and detailed induction procedures for staff and volunteers
- Effective procedures for raising low-level concerns, whistleblowing or serious allegations
- Strong safeguarding leadership from senior leaders and governors
- Effective partnership working with the local authority, police (including Operation Encompass - see below), NHS and other agencies
We recognise that no single professional can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.
All adults will:
- Maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned
- Be proactive to provide a safe and secure environment in which pupils can learn
- Ensure ALL children have opportunities to communicate and know that they are listened to
- Consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the pupil with a child-centred approach
- Contribute to, and maintain a high safeguarding ethos within the setting, with safeguarding pupils at the forefront of practice at all times
- Have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, including child-on-child abuse
Staff are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or failure to develop because of our day-to-day contact with children. Observations and concerns are logged electronically by all staff and shared with the DSLs. Parents should be aware, therefore, that where it appears to a member of school staff that a child may have been abused or neglected, we are required, as part of the nationally agreed safeguarding standards, to report any concerns to Lancashire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Services. Our ‘Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy’ can be found at the bottom of this page.
Key Concerns
If you have any concerns about another adult (school staff, supply staff, coaches, visitors or volunteers), you must raise these with the DSL, Deputy DSL or senior leader in their absence. This includes low-level concerns which might not be severe in isolation but make you feel uneasy.
If you have concerns about the headteacher, you must refer it to the chair of governors and LADO.
Any concerns regarding the safeguarding practices at Mossgate, you must raise these with the headteacher or a senior leader following the whistleblowing procedures.
If you feel unable to raise your concerns with a senior leader, you should access other whistleblowing channels at LCC, see email and phone number below, or the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline (0800 028 0285).
Key Contacts
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Rob Smith
Deputy DSL: Helen Taylor
Safeguarding Governor and Chair of Governors: Nichola Buczynski
LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer): 01772 536694
MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub): 0300 123 6720
Whistleblowing: 01772 532500 - press 1 for financial matters and 2 any other concerns WhistleblowingComplaints@lancashire.gov.uk
Updated March 2024 RS