Safeguarding
Designated safeguarding leads
St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School is committed to providing a secure environment for pupils, where children feel safe and are kept safe. All staff and volunteers working at St Elizabeth’s 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.
As part of our Safeguarding role, we teach all children how to keep themselves and others safe (at an age-appropriate level). Our PSHE Scheme of Work includes work on anti-bullying, personal safety, healthy lifestyle choices, conflict resolution, secrets, relationships, cyber-bullying, internet safety and healthy relationships. Children are also given clear information about how to report things they feel upset, worried or uncomfortable about.
We are committed to monitoring and listening to all our pupils to identify possible problems. Where there are serious concerns about a child’s safety, we will share our concerns with the relevant authorities.
From time to time, many families may find themselves in difficulties. At St Elizabeths, we pride ourselves on building strong, positive relationships with our families. If you are struggling or need help, we can offer support. We can also signpost to other agencies who may be able to offer help and support.
Staffordshire children's advice and support services
Do you think a child or young person is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed? Are you worried that a child is living in circumstances where they are treated badly and not cared for properly? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, please contact the Staffordshire Childrens Advice & Support Service immediately. Phone: 0300 111 8007 and select option 1 - Opening times are Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Outside those hours above, or on weekends and bank holidays, please contact the Emergency Duty Team by phoning 0345 604 2886.
Prevent
Under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 the school has a statutory duty to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
There is no place for extremist views of any kind in our school, whether from internal sources – pupils, staff or governors, or external sources - the school community, external agencies or individuals. Our pupils see our school as a safe place where they can explore controversial issues safely and where our teachers encourage and facilitate them – we have a duty to ensure this happens.
As a school, we recognise that extremism and exposure to extremist materials and influences can lead to poor outcomes for children and so should be addressed as a safeguarding concern as set out in this policy. We also recognise that if we fail to challenge extremist views we are failing to protect our pupils.
Therefore, we will provide a broad and balanced curriculum, delivered by skilled professionals, so that our pupils are enriched, they understand and become tolerant of difference and diversity and also to ensure that they thrive, feel valued and not marginalised. Furthermore, at St Elizabeth’s we are aware that young people can be exposed to extremist influences or prejudiced views from an early age which emanate from a variety of sources and media, including via the internet, and at times pupils may themselves reflect or display views that may be discriminatory, prejudiced or extremist, including using derogatory language.
Any prejudice, discrimination or extremist views, including derogatory language, displayed by pupils or staff will always be challenged and, where appropriate, dealt with in line with our Behaviour and Discipline Policy or Anti-Bullying Policy for pupils and the Code of Conduct for staff. Where misconduct by a teacher is proven, the matter will be referred by the headteacher for further advice and action. Where the headteacher is at fault, advice will be sought from the chair of governors.
Operation Encompass
The school works jointly with Staffordshire Police. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced any domestic abuse. Operation Encompass will ensure that a member of the school staff, (Designated Safeguarding Lead) 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 experienced 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 Links
For more information and guidance about Safeguarding at St Elizabeths, please visit our policies page.
https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/
To support young people and their parents and families on how best to support young people who may need mental health care:
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/
https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/health-visiting-and-school-nursing/your-school-age-child-5-19
To support parents with their own mental health:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/