At Sherford Vale School and Nursery, the health, safety and well-being of every child are our paramount concern. We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. Our aim is that children are safe and happy as pupils for the duration of their time with us.
At Sherford Vale, we take our Safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. This means that we have ensured that everyone working in the school has successfully completed the necessary clearances to enable them to work with pupils. All staff members are trained in Child Protection procedures, in addition we have a number of key staff safeguarding leads who are specifically trained in Child Protection procedures.
Our polices ensure that we are in line with current safeguarding and child protection practices.
On rare occasions, our concern about a child may mean we have to consult other agencies, such as the Police, or Social Services. The procedures we follow are provided by Devon and Plymouth Local Authority's as well as Westcountry School Trust.
By working closely with everyone concerned, we firmly believe that we will continue to offer a safe learning environment for all our learners.
Our Safeguarding Leads.
DSL DDSL
Mrs S Evans Mrs E Barrett
Safeguarding Officers
Mr P Grafton Miss L Ramsey Miss C Menyena
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Susie Evans.
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Emma Barrett.
Safeguarding Officers are Mr Peter Grafton, Miss Lauren Ramsey and Miss Clare Menyena.
All Child Protection staff can be contacted via the school office: 01752 891795 or via the link below.
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 or their family, you can call either the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or Plymouth Gateway on the below numbers.
MASH- Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub
(For concerns regarding a pupil living in the Devon catchment.)
The Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the central resource for the whole of Devon receiving all safeguarding and child protection enquiries.
If you are worried about a child or young person in Devon and want to speak to someone, or if you are a child or young person worried about your own safety please contact the MASH on 0345 155 1071 or email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk and give as much information as you can.
Plymouth Gateway
(For concerns regarding a pupil living in the Plymouth catchment.)
The Gateway is the central resource for the whole of Plymouth receiving all safeguarding and child protection enquiries.
If you are worried about a child or young person in Plymouth and want to speak to someone, or if you are a child or young person worried about your own safety please contact the Gateway on 01752 668000 or email gateway@plymouth.gov and give as much information as you can.
Remember these three important messages:
We follow a clear set of procedures when concerns arise and deal with matters sensitively.
All staff receive appropriate training and updates 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 monitor and respond appropriately 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.
Use of Images (School)
When your child starts Sherford Vale School and Nursery, for the duration of their education here, parents/carers will be asked to complete a permission form to allow images of your child to be published by the school on the school's website or in nominated media.
If you would like to change your parental preference please contact the school office.
Use of Cameras and Digital Images (Parents/Carers) - 'THINK BEFORE WE POST'
At Sherford Vale School and Nursery, we are happy for parents/carers to take photos and videos at school events for personal use but please could we remind you that these images must not be distributed or published online unless they are only of your own children. This is to protect and safeguard all members of the community.
The Data Protection Act does not stop parents from taking images or videos at school events but you would breach it if you did not have the consent from other parents whose children might be captured in those photos or videos.
How can parents help us to keep children safe?
www.domesticabusehelp.co.uk
Victim Care Unit – 01392 475900
First Light (Safer Futures) – 0300 777 4777 Devon Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0345 155 1074 Cornwall Domestic Abuse 24hr Helpline - 01872 225629 Women’s Aid – 0808 2000247
Male Domestic Violence Advice Line - 0800 3283623 Galop - DV Advice for Lesbian, Gay, Bi Sexual and Transgender - 0800 5875247
National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000247
In an emergency, always dial 999.
SPLITZ - https://www.splitz.org/
Boots safe spaces - https://www.boots-uk.com/our-stories/boots-pharmacy-consultation-rooms-become-safe-spaces-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse/.
Reporting a Concern Regarding a Child
If you are worried or concerned about a child or their family, 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
DEVON FAMILY ADVICE LINE
There is a phone advice line for parents/carers across Devon. The number for the service is 01392 949059, it will be manned from 10.00am – 2.00pm Monday to Friday. People will be able to leave a message outside of these hours, or when the operators are all busy.
This service, will offer advice on a specific issue around their children and their family relationships, including any communication issues or conflict they are having with their partners or co-parents of their children. It is not meant to be a replacement for more targeted work, but just a way to offer people a place to be heard and a few tips on how to deal with a particular situation or to signpost them to an organisation which may be able to help them.
