Schools play an essential role in protecting children from abuse. They have regular contact with children and young people so are in a strong position to identify signs of abuse and neglect. At Birchfield Primary School, children's safety is paramount.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Statement of Safeguarding
Birchfield Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. To achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust safeguarding processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our staff, governors and volunteers. We also work closely with the Children’s Centre to support families with children under 5.
We are committed to inspiring, challenging and safeguarding our pupils, enabling them to become:
- Successful learners, who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve.
- Confident, well-rounded individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
- Responsible citizens who will make a positive contribution, both socially and economically, to society.
This is best achieved when we all work together to support the development of the whole child. We pride ourselves on knowing not just about our children’s learning, but about them and their families as individuals and valued members of our school and village community.
The Designated Safeguarding lead person for Birchfield Primary is Mrs Sian Threlfall (EYFS Leader) s.threlfall@birchfieldprimary.org.uk
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding lead for Birchfield Primary is Miss Michaela Walker (Deputy Head)
The Acting Head Teacher is also a designated Safeguarding Officer Ms Elizabeth Bratby
All adults who work in school have a responsibility to read and understand all safeguarding policies and to act within accordance of the policy at all times.
All adults are expected to read the DfE booklet: Keeping Children Safe in Education and have signed for their copy, a record of which is kept in School.
There is 'Child' friendly' document available in school for children to access and read called 'Staying Safe at Birchfield Primary School'.
Further information about safeguarding children in Leeds can be found on the Leeds Safeguarding Children Board website: www.leedslscb.org.uk
Key Safeguarding Documents and Links (also in the Parents section under 'Policies').
Birchfield Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy
Keeping Children Safe in Education (Jan 2021)
Safeguarding Information for Children
If someone is hurting you, doing things to you against your will or being mean to you, tell someone: your parents, your friends, trusted teachers or other staff at school. You should also speak to us if you are worried about someone else – a child or an adult.
At Birchfield, the staff with special training to help you to be safe are: Mrs O' Hara, Ms Bratby, Miss Dolby or Mrs Bingham. You don’t have to speak to those members of staff; any adult in school should be able to help you.
If you don’t wish to speak to someone in school, you have other choices - click on the link below:
If you are being bullied online, or if you have any concerns about things on the internet, speak to a trusted adult, call the police or use this link:
Online Line Safety
Online safety has never been more important. Understanding the different risks at different ages means that staff, parents and pupils need to stay up to date with their knowledge of online safety. See our Computing tab for further support and information around online safety.
Helpline for people who have experienced sexual abuse in education settings launched
Report Abuse in Education helpline
Young people and adults can call 0800 136 663 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
New helpline will also offer support and guidance to adults and professionals working with children in education
The Department for Education has commissioned the NSPCC to launch a new helpline called Report Abuse in Education. The helpline comes after numerous anonymised testimonials of sexual harassment and abuse in schools and colleges were shared to the Everyone’s Invited website this week.
The newly launched helpline will provide support to:
- children and young people who want to share current and non-recent experiences of sexual abuse and harassment
- children and young people who want to talk about being involved in or witnessing any incidents
- anyone who works or volunteers in a school setting and needs support and guidance
- adults who have experienced non-recent abuse
- parents and carers who are concerned about their own child or other children.
Remove Nude Images
The NSPCC have introduced a new Report Remove tool whereby children, young people and adults can report nude images of them that are circulating social media and ensure they are taken down.
The tool can be accessed here.
Home or out alone guide
A guide to help parents and carers decide whether their child is ready to either stay at home or go out alone
This guide provides practical tips and advice to help parents and carers decide what is best for their child when it comes to staying home alone or going out alone.
It covers some of the risks parents should consider before making a decision, such as how their child feels about the idea and who they should contact in an emergency.
There is also a checklist for parents and children to work through together to help them prepare for different types of scenarios. This includes questions about what to do if there is an accident at home or they are approached by a stranger outside.