SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY

Children have a right to be cared for and protected, protecting them is everyone’s responsibility. Here at Desford Community Primary School, we have a duty of care to ensure that all users of the school are kept safe from harm. We are committed to provide a secure and supportive environment in which children can develop and grow into mature and responsible people. Safeguarding children is an essential part of our holistic approach to ensure that children are protected from abuse and neglect and that every child reaches their full potential.

The best interests of the children will always be our priority. As such, there are times we will need to record, monitor and share information with other agencies. We will share concerns about our pupils with the child’s parents/carers unless we have reason to believe that such a move would not be in the child’s best interest.

These staff and governors can be contacted by calling the school office on 01455 822379 or by emailing office@desford.leics.sch.uk                                                                                                     

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Parents and carers play a role in safeguarding children in their community. If you have any concerns, no matter how small, you should report them to someone who you trust will listen. The school is required to have a designated child protection officer for this purpose. Parents and children should speak to the safeguarding officer if they have any concerns about a child or staff member.

Phone 999 if a crime is being committed or if a child is in immediate danger Contact Leicestershire Police on 101 if you think a crime has been committed but there is no one in immediate danger

If you suspect that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm, refer this immediately by telephone to children’s social care on 0116 305 0005.

Contact the First Response children's duty team if you think a child is being:

• Neglected

• Physically abused

• Sexually abused

First Response can be contacted 24 hours a day on 07508 009234

FURTHER SUPPORT AND ACCESS TO SERVICES

As a member of the public, you may wish to access advice and support for other agencies that can support your child, you and/or your family.  Some of the services listed in this document are:

• Disabilities and Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Mental health and self harm
• Debt and Housing
• Family bereavement
• Domestic and Sexual Abuse
• Offending and anti-social behaviour
• Counselling and mediation
• Drug and alcohol misuse
• Carers
• Parental contact and family support

POLICIES AND GUIDANCE

We will ensure all policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding children are up to date and in line with the most up to date version of Keeping Children Safe in Education - Statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment. The policies are accessible to all staff and form part of the annual safeguarding training that all staff receive. Policies and procedures are reviewed and revised by the Local Governing Body and/or the LiFE MAT Board of Trustees on a regular basis.

Below is a link to the relevant safeguarding policies that we publish on our school website.