Elmlea Schools have clear procedures for Safeguarding. Information is available from the links on this page, or from the Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Designated Safeguarding Officer: Lorraine Wright, Executive Headteacher: l.wright@elmleaschools.org.uk
Infant School Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Inka Kemppainen-Vann, Deputy Headteacher I.Kemppainen-Vann@elmleaschools.org.uk
Junior School Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Lee Daubney, Deputy Headteacher l.daubney@elmleaschools.org.uk
Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Lacey Flook, Trust Inclusion Lead send@elmleaschools.org.uk
Safeguarding Governor: Ria Burridge
If you have concerns that you want to make either school or the trust aware of, please contact the designated safeguarding lead. The designated person will then monitor any concerns and report where appropriate to social care if a child is deemed at risk of significant harm. Any information shared with us will be disclosed only to those staff who need to know for the purposes of child protection. Concerns will usually be shared with parent/child by the designated person, unless to do so may place the child/ren at increased risk of harm. If there is doubt about this, the designated person will consult with social care.
General guidance can be found in the following publications:
Keeping Children
Safe in Education
Working
Together to Safeguard Children
The Trust’s Safeguarding policies are available via the following links:
Useful websites and links to further information:
Childline
First
Response Details
Welcome to the South West Child
Protection Procedures
First Response Flyer
We recognise that staff and adults working with children, because of the contact with and knowledge of
children in their care, are well placed to identify abuse and offer support to children in need. The
trust is an agent of referral and not of investigation.
Keeping Children Safe in Education and
the ‘Working Together’ guidance recognise that there are 4 categories of abuse:
• Physical abuse
•
Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm and abuse. It includes other issues
such as:
• Internet safety
• Health and safety
• Meeting the needs of children with medical
issues
• Bullying
• Physical intervention
• Radicalisation
• Racist abuse
• Harassment and
discrimination
• Child sexual exploitation, forced marriage and FGM
It may be that while you are
in either school you are approached by a child who wants to talk to you about something that has or is
happening to them. We have a very clear system which enables you to report to us so that we can help the
child.
What should you do?
If you are approached by a child, help them by:
• Listening
positively to what they say and, if possible, ensure a degree of privacy while you are doing this;
•
Taking what the child has to say seriously;
• Staying calm, however shocked you may be;
• Letting the
child know that this information will have to be passed on so that they can be helped.
You should not:
• Ask leading questions – avoid ‘who, where’ what’ type questions;
•
Appear shocked or angry;
• Make judgements;
• Promise to keep this information a secret;
• Confront
or question an alleged abuser – it is not your job to investigate;
If you have any concerns about a child or young person please do not leave it to someone else to deal with.
What next?
If you are in school as a visitor or volunteer please speak to a member of staff about your concern immediately and they will make an informed decision about how to help the child. If you have concerns about a child’s welfare, but they have not said anything, please follow this same procedure. All staff in school work with the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads Child Protection to ensure the correct course of action is followed.
Examples include:
• Seeing unusual marks or bruises;
• The child’s personal hygiene is not as it
should be;
• The child is always hungry;
• You have seen a change in their behaviour over a few weeks.
It is important that if you have concerns, however trivial, they are passed onto us. Remember that children’s details and names must remain confidential at all times. Detailing issues should be on a need-to-know basis only.
Dealing with issues of child abuse can be distressing for anyone and we appreciate your help in making sure Elmlea Schools are a safe place for everyone.
If you are not in school, you are able to report your concerns about a child as a member of the public as follows:
If you’re concerned about the well-being of a child contact the Bristol City Council First Response Team on 0117 903 6444.
If the child is at immediate risk call the Police on 999.
If you’re unable to use a phone, tell us your preferred communication method.
Other numbers you can call:
- NSPCC 24 hour Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free from a landline)
- Police: 101 (non-emergency calls)
Link to Bristol City Council details: Report a concern about a child – bristol.gov.uk
If you have any queries regarding this information, or require further clarification, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
