Safeguarding Statement

At Windmills Junior School the health, safety and well-being of every child is our top priority. We expect all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils.

We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection, and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

The procedures which we follow have been laid down by West Sussex County Council and we have adopted their model policy, for the safety of all.

We ensure that we comply fully to Safe Recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff (teachers, governors, TAs, Office staff, volunteers etc) have been appropriately checked for their suitability to work with children.

In addition we ensure that we:

• raise awareness of safeguarding issues and equip children with the skills needed to keep them safe;
• have clear procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse;
• support vulnerable pupils and those on child protection plans;
• establish a safe and nurturing environment free from discrimination or bullying, where children can learn and develop happily.

We recognise that because of their day-to-day contact with children, school staff are ideally placed to observe the outward signs of abuse.  Staff in schools will therefore:

• report any inappropriate behaviour/ activities to designated staff;
• establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to;
• ensure that children know that they can approach any adult in school if they are worried and they will receive a consistent, supportive response;
• provide, within the PSHE curriculum, opportunities for children to develop the skills they need to recognise, and stay safe, from abuse.

It may be helpful for parents to know that the Local Authority requires Head Teachers to report any obvious or suspected cases of child abuse which includes non-accidental injury, severe physical neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. This procedure is intended to protect children at risk and schools are encouraged to take the attitude that where there are grounds for suspicion it is better to be safe than sorry. This does mean that Head Teachers risk upsetting some parents by reporting a case, which on investigation proves unfounded. In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents, appreciating how difficult it is for Head Teachers to carry out this delicate responsibility, would accept that the Head Teacher was acting in what were believed to be the child’s best interests.

Prevent duty

The Windmills Junior School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability.

All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

On 1 July 2015 the Prevent duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

As part of The Windmill’s Junior School’s commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy.

Link to prevent duty:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance 

Training

Whole school in-service training on Safeguarding and Child Protection will be organised for staff and governors at least every three years and will comply with the prevailing arrangements agreed by the local Safeguarding Children Board and will, in part, include training on extremism and radicalisation and its safeguarding implications.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will attend training courses as necessary and the appropriate inter-agency training organised by the local Safeguarding Children Board at least every two years, again this will include training on extremism and radicalisation and its safeguarding implications.