‘Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.’ (KCSIE)
What is safeguarding?
- Child protection
- Supporting vulnerable children
- Safe care, at home, in school and in the community
- Taking action
At Barlow Hall we aim to create and maintain a safe learning environment where all children and adults feel safe, secure and valued and know they will be listened to and taken seriously. We are committed to the principles outlined in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018’ and implement policies, practices and procedures which promote safeguarding and the emotional and physical well-being of children, young people and staff. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is at the heart of everything we do.
We are committed to identifying support at the earliest opportunity through the delivery of effective early help. We aim to work in partnership with our families and use a ‘strength-based’ approach to ensure families feel empowered.
The children have access to appropriate curriculum opportunities, including emotional health and well-being, to support the development of the skills needed to help them stay safe and healthy, develop their self-esteem and prepare them for the future.
Our Deputy Head is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and has a specific responsibility for championing the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. She takes lead responsibility for Early Help, safeguarding and child protection. Our Executive Head and Assistant Heads are part of the safeguarding team.
All concerns raised will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon as quickly as possible to safeguard the child. In line with our statutory duty a referral to social care may be necessary. All referrals will be discussed with parents/carers unless this would place the child at significant risk of harm.
If you are concerned about a child’s welfare please contact the main office and our DSL or a member of the DSL team will contact you as soon as possible. You can also contact Manchester’s Contact Centre on: 0161 234 5001
For more information, please pick up a Safeguarding leaflet from Reception or access our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy available on the website.
DOMESTIC ABUSE- OPERATION ENCOMPASS
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information sharing partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. Information is shared by the police with a school’s trained Key Adult (DSL) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident thus enabling appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
Children experiencing domestic abuse are negatively impacted by this exposure; domestic abuse has been identified as an Adverse Childhood Experience and can lead to emotional, physical and psychological harm. Operation Encompass aims to mitigate this harm by enabling immediate support, making a child’s day better and giving them a better tomorrow.
Operation Encompass directly connects the police with schools to secure better outcomes for children who are subject or witness to police-attended incidents of domestic abuse. Rapid provision of support within the school environment means children are better safeguarded against the short-, medium- and long-term effects of domestic abuse.
Domestic Abuse
If you or someone you know needs help it is important to remember that you are not alone. Manchester Women’s Aid offers a range of services to help those dealing with domestic violence and abuse as well as a dedicated helpline.
Call: 0161 660 7999
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 9:30am – 4:30pm
EMERGENCY CONTACT
Outside of these hours you can contact the Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women’s Aid Federation of England (WAFE) and Refuge.
0808 2000 247 (https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/)
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.
CODEWORD SCHEME
If you need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy. ‘ANI’ stands for Action Needed Immediately and if they have the logo on display it means they are ready to help. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.
GET HELP FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
NSPCC helpline (0808 8005000) help@nspcc.org.uk
Childline 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk/
PREVENT
The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty, known as the Prevent duty, on all schools and academies, to have due regard to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. All staff working in schools must know how to recognise, respond and refer children and young people who are vulnerable and at risk of radicalisation. Schools also have a key role in building children’s resilience to being drawn in to terrorism. All school staff undertake PREVENT training to help them further understand the responsibilities of Prevent and the curriculum at Barlow Hall has been designed to develop children’s understanding.
ACCIDENTS AT SCHOOL
- In the case of an accident all members of staff’s first course of action is to reassure the child and to ascertain the level of injury.
- We have designated First Aiders on the school site at all times.
- If your child has an accident in school the class teacher will inform you of the nature of the accident and the course of action taken.
- In cases of bumps to the head you may be telephoned or you will receive a letter depending upon the severity of the incident.
- If your child requires medical attention or is still unwell after a period of time we will telephone parents/carers to come into school. Therefore it is vital that we have up to date contact telephone numbers.
- All accidents are documented in line with Manchester local authority’s agreed procedures.
