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

Our Safeguarding Leads.

                     

         DDSL                     DSL           

      Mrs E Barrett         Mrs S Evans

   

                                                                                                                     Safeguarding Officers

       Mrs S Smith              Mrs L Lancaster       Miss A Elliot           Mr P Grafton

                                                                                            

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs S Evans.

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Emma Barrett.

Safeguarding Officers are Mr Simon Smith, Mr Peter Grafton, Miss Alice Elliott and Mrs Liz Lancaster.

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

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.

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.

NEVER KEEP CONCERNS ABOUT CHILDREN’S SAFETY TO YOURSELF
No one wants to hear about children being abused, neglected or unsafe and that sometimes makes it difficult to respond so ….

Remember these three important messages:

• All children have a right to be safe no matter who they are or what their circumstances.
• Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility.
• We all need to listen to children even though we may not always be comfortable with what we hear. 

We 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.

Use of Images (School)

When your child starts Sherford Vale School and for the duration of their education here, parents/carers will be ask to complete a permission form to allow images of your child to be published by the school on the school's website or in press releases.  If you would like to change your parental preference then please contact the school office.  

Use of Cameras and Digital Images (Parents/Carers) - 'THINK BEFORE WE POST'

At Sherford Vale School, we are happy for parents and 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 put 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 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    

 

• Domestic Abuse - a message from the Police                                                   There have been many changes across the nation recently.  People are being isolated from friends, family and colleagues.                                                      Enforced isolation may cause an increase in domestic abuse.  Domestic abuse is never ok.                                                                                                                           If you or someone you know is suffering abuse - help is available, visit: Devon: www.victimcaredevonandcornwall.org.uk

• 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, 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

A new phone advice line for parents and carers across Devon launched on Monday 1 June. The number for the new service is 01392 949059 and it will be manned from 10 – 2pm Monday to Friday. People will be able to leave a message outside of these hours, or when the operators are all busy.

It 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.