Safeguarding each and every child is extremely important to us.  All our staff will be trained on how to spot signs of concern and they will know how important their role is in protecting children and young people from harm.

We will follow a clear set of procedures when concerns arise and deal with matters sensitively.

All staff receive appropriate training at regular intervals.  We have excellent recruitment procedures; every member of staff has full checks as do visitors, regular volunteers, supply teachers and governors.   We have policies and practices that focus on ensuring the health and well-being of the children.

We have ways of monitoring and responding to incidents of concern, for example: unexplained absences, difficult behaviour and significant changes in physical or emotional appearance.  The ethos of the school is open so that staff, parents and children feel able to share concerns.  Parents who volunteer on a regular basis (at least once a week) will be asked to undertake full DBS checks.

How can parents help with keeping children safe?

• Make sure all addresses and contact numbers are up to date
• If someone different is picking your child up, please let us know
• Be at school on time every day at 8.45 am and 3.15/20 pm
• Notify the school about your child’s absence – unexplained absences are a key trigger for concern
• Take full note of the advice to parents if you are accompanying a class trip and ensure that you attend the briefing meeting
• Share any concerns you may have about another child with a member of staff or one of the designated child protection team    

The Senior Designated Officer for Safeguarding is Helen Tipping. 

The Deputy Designated Officer for Safeguarding is Emma Barrett

Deputy Safeguarding Officers for Safeguarding are Alice Elliott and Liz Lancaster.

All Child Protection staff can be contacted via the school office: 01752 891795

Email: admin@sherfordvaleschool.co.uk

The Local Authority Designated Officers are Carola Salvadori and Jane Parmenter.  They can be contacted via the LADO Secure Mailbox (ladosecure-mailbox@devon.gcsx.gov.uk). 

If you have concerns regarding a child, you can call either Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub or Plymouth Gateway on the below numbers.

Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)  Devon Tel: 0345 155 1071 

Devon Safeguarding Children Board: http://www.devonsafeguardingchildren.org/

Plymouth Gateway Tel: 01752 668000

 

Reporting a Concern Regarding a Child

If you are worried or concerned about a child, you can also report this through the NSPCC website. If you have concerns about a child's safety and wellbeing, including a child in your family, you can use this form to tell the NSPCC helpline. An advisors will read it within 24 hours and decide what action needs to be taken.

The childline number for children is: 0800 1111

The Parent line is: 0808 800 5000

Important Links:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

http://swgfl.org.uk/

http://www.vodafone.com/content/digital-parenting.html