CHILD PROTECTION & SAFEGUARDING

Leigh Primary School is committed to the highest standards in protecting and safeguarding the children entrusted to our care.

Here is the link to the statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024’. All staff who work at Leigh Primary School are trained in this guidance and have regular safeguarding updates.

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024

Our school will support all children by:

• Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment
• Encouraging self-esteem and self-assertiveness
• Effectively tackling bullying and harassment

We recognise that some children may be victims of neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Staff working with children are well placed to identify such abuse.

At our school, in order to protect our children, we aim to:

• Create an atmosphere where all children feel secure, valued and listened to
• Recognise signs and symptoms of abuse
• Respond quickly, appropriately and effectively to cases of suspected abuse

If you have a concern that a child is being harmed, is at risk of harm, or you receive a disclosure (intentionally or unintentionally) you must contact a member of our school’s safeguarding team or you may wish to contact the Police. It is never ok to do nothing.

Everyone working with our children and their parents/carers should be aware that their role is to:

• Listen and note carefully any observations which could indicate abuse
• Not to attempt to investigate once the initial concern is raised
• Refer to the Designated Senior Lead (DSL) immediately
• Remember disclosures of abuse or harm from children can be made at any time

If anything worries you or concerns you, report it straight away! 

Notice- Check - Share

Safeguarding children means taking action to promote the welfare of children and to protect them from harm. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Safeguarding includes:

• Protecting children from maltreatment
• Preventing impairment of children’s mental health and physical health or development
• Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

Child Protection is a term that outlines the legal process once a child has been deemed to require social care intervention. 

Are you a Parent or Guardian?  Protecting children is your responsibility too...

Worried about a child? 

If you are ever worried about a child, please telephone Birmingham Children's Advice & Support Service (CASS) on 0121 303 1888 or email them at cass@birmingham.gov.uk. Outside of normal office hours call 0121 675 4806 for the emergency duty team.

In an emergency where a child's safety is at immediate risk of significant harm, call 999. 

The Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) has launched a public awareness campaign called
‘Keeping Children Safe is Everybody’s Business’.  For more information click on the link below:

Keeping children safe is everybody's business! 

Operation Encompass

The school has been given the opportunity to take part in a project that will run jointly between schools and West Midlands 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, (DSL) known as a Key Adult, 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.

Domestic Abuse

Does your partner, ex-partner or someone you live with:

• cut you off from family and friends and intentionally isolate you?
• bully, threaten, or control you?
• take control of your finances?
• monitor or limit your use of technology?
• physically and/or sexually abuse you?

Domestic abuse is not always physical violence. It can also include:

• coercive control and ‘gaslighting’
• economic abuse
• online abuse
• threats and intimidation
• emotional abuse
• sexual abuse

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality or background.

If you believe that you are a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for including:

• being withdrawn, or being isolated from your family and friends
• having bruises, burns or bite marks on you
• having your finances controlled, or not being given enough to buy food, medication or pay bills
• not being allowed to leave your house, or stopped from going to college or work
• having your internet or social media use monitored, or someone else reading your texts, emails or letters
• being repeatedly belittled, put down or told you are worthless
• being pressured into sex or sexual contact
• being told that abuse is your fault, or that you’re overreacting

All forms of domestic abuse are not acceptable in any situation.

Domestic abuse has a major impact upon the health, well-being and education of children and young people. If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by, a partner, an ex-partner or family member, it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help.

Services that can support you:

 
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid

Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid can be contacted on 0808 800 0028 or www.bswaid.org
 

Rights of Women Legal Advice Line
Free confidential legal advice on family law, divorce and relationship breakdown, children and contact issues, domestic violence, sexual violence, discrimination and lesbian parenting can be sought by calling 02072516577 or you can visit www.rightsofwomen.org.uk

National Domestic Abuse Helpline
The 24 hour fee helpline can be accessed by calling 0808 2000 247 or you can visit www.womensaid.org.uk/
 

M.A.L.E: Men's Advice Line & Enquiries
A confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse can be accessed by calling 0808 8010327
or you can visit www.mensadviceline.org.uk
 

FGM
 
Call the Police on 101 if you have information about FGM or believe a child may be at risk. In an emergency, dial 999. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the NSPCC's FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550

 
Further information about FGM can be found by clicking on the link below:
Birmingham Against FGM

Safeguarding - school's duty

Please find below links to the statutory guidance from the government that schools must follow. It is available in a range of languages.

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy