Our Commitment

At The Spinney Primary School, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Through their day-to-day contact with pupils and direct work with families, staff at The Spinney Primary School have a crucial role to play in noticing indicators of possible abuse or neglect and referring them to Social Care via the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub ( M.A.S.H.).

The Spinney Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy sets out how the school’s governing body discharges its statutory responsibilities relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children who are the pupils at the school. This policy applies to all staff, paid and unpaid, working in the school including governors. It is consistent with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures.

Concerned parents/carers may also contact the school and its governors. In addition to this parents can also seek advice at any time from the NSPCC helpline- help@nspcc.org.uk or 0808 800 5000. Next steps might involve undertaking an Early Help Assessment or making a referral directly to Children's Social Care/the police.  

Safeguarding and Child Protection team:

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Ms Mona Paalanen (Interim Headteacher)

The Deputy Designdated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL) are: Miss Garrill (Interim Deputy Headteacher) and Sophie Butler (EYFS teacher)

Mrs Cordy ( Wrap-around care DSL) is a designated person for child protection. 

The link Governor for Child Protection and Safeguarding is Rachael Schofield. 

There are four main elements to our policy:

• PREVENTION through the teaching and pastoral support offered to pupils and the creation and maintenance of a whole school protective ethos
• PROCEDURES for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse. The definitions of the four categories of abuse are attached (see p11 Keeping Children Safe in Education))
• SUPPORTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN, those who may have been abused or witnessed violence towards others
• PREVENTING UNSUITABLE PEOPLE WORKING WITH CHILDREN

We have a number of key policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment.

Prevent 

HM Government has published guidance for authorities, including schools, on their responsibilities under the ‘Counter-Terrorism and Security Act’, which came into effect on 1 July 2015. Under the Act, schools and other authorities have a duty to “have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.

All staff have been made aware of our duty of care under this guidance and Mr James Kilsby is our trained 'Prevent Lead'.

​Professional Conduct

All adults who enter our school site, at any time, set examples of behaviour and conduct which influence children and, therefore, in keeping with our core school values, we expect that they should demonstrate high standards of conduct in order to encourage our pupils to do the same.

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It is expected that parents and carers show respect to all other parents and carers, children and staff. Adults who do not behave in an acceptable manner may be asked to leave the site and the Headteacher has the right to further restrict their access.

Behaviour which is regarded as unacceptable includes:

• Physical abuse, threatening, oppressive or aggressive behaviour or use of offensive language towards other adults, staff or children
• Entering the school site under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Smoking anywhere on the school site.

In addition, we expect all communication between parents and school to be conducted in a polite and respectful manner. Communication may be similarly restricted if it becomes unacceptable.

School-related issues which parents or carers have concerning school, pupils or their families must be brought to the attention of a member of staff. Parents or carers must not try to resolve any issues themselves by direct action on site. If issues cannot be successfully resolved by speaking to a staff member, parents’ and carers’ correct course of action is to use our Complaints Procedure  as appropriate.

Concerns

If you have any concerns for the safety of any of the children at school please contact the Headteacher, or any member of our dedicated safeguarding team.

During term time we hope that our families at The Spinney feel they can approach school with any problem which we can work through together confidentially, or at the very least we should be able to signpost you to agencies which can offer further support

Designated Personnel for Child Protection can be reached on the school number 01223 568836 or by e-mail through the school office: office@spinney.cambs.sch.uk

Support out of school

The school holidays are, of course, for many children and families a high point of the year, but there may be times when the ups and downs of family life get too much and support is needed.  Also, extended periods away from the structure and routine of school life can put some families in crisis.                                         

Below are some links / phone numbers for families to contact should there be a safeguarding concern about a child or family member at anytime, including during the evenings, weekends and holidays.                       

If a child / adult is in immediate danger or child left alone, you should contact the police or call an Ambulance (Call 999).  The police operator will need to take your name, address and details of what has happened. This will take time, but it is important they get all of the information from you so that they can send the appropriate resources to you.

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Children’s Social Care can be contacted on 0345 045 1362

(Monday – Thursday 8am – 5:30pm/Friday 8am – 4:30pm)

Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours): 01733 234724.  

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• You can contact the NSPCC for advice and support on: 0808 800 5000
• Childline can be contacted on: 0800 1111
• For a mental health crisis you can phone 111 and select option 2, or you can contact the Samaritans Women's Aid offer a range of helpful support and advice
• The National Domestic Violence Helpline number is 0808 2000 247.
• The NSPCC has really helpful information on its website relating to children being out alone and helping parents to decide whether their child is ok to be out and about on their own or with a sibling or a friend.

All staff are required to sign annually that they have read the policies/documents below.  All staff are informed of the identity and role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy.