Safeguarding and Child Protection
St. Michael’s takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in our care. We give high priority to the health and wellbeing of all children, staff and visitors.
“Pupils say they feel safe, and they know who to speak to if they need help. Staff use clear processes for identifying concerns. Staff identify concerns quickly and leaders put support in place promptly to keep pupils safe. Leaders have robust systems for tracking concerns and use them to support families. Leaders ensure that staff have regular training on contextual issues for the school and the community it serves. Leaders create strong relationships with parents. Leaders engage with a variety of external agencies to support pupils’ and families’ needs. The school’s pastoral care manager provides valuable in-house support for pupils and families.”
Ofsted 2022
Safeguarding
We recognise that children cannot learn unless they feel happy and secure. We adhere to stringent Safeguarding procedures to protect the welfare of all the children who come here.
We are committed to keeping children safe and aim to:
- Create a culture of vigilance where the welfare of our children is promoted and where timely and appropriate safeguarding action is taken.
- Establish and maintain an environment where children feel safe and secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
- Ensure that children know that there are adults within the school they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty.
- Ensure children receive the right help at the right time to address risks and prevent issues escalating.
- Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse and to develop healthy and safe relationships.
- Include in the curriculum material which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life.
- Include in the curriculum material which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life.
- Protect children from harm and to ensure that they are taught in a way that is consistent with the law and our values and to promote respect for all others.
- Facilitate understanding of wider issues within the context of learning about the values on which our society is founded and our system of democratic government.
- Provide a curriculum which actively promotes the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
- Promote tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths (or those of no faith), races, genders, ages, disabilities and sexual orientations.
- Make parents aware of the school policies and practices for safeguarding and ensure that, wherever possible, every effort will be made to establish open and honest effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from partner agencies.
Staff Responsibilities
It is the moral and legal duty of all adults in charge of children to be ready to protect a child in danger of abuse. Education staff have a responsibility to be ready to observe, monitor and refer suspected abuse.
We are committed to:
- Providing training for staff in recognising signs, symptoms and behaviour which are symptomatic of abuse and in responding appropriately.
- Establishing good procedures and practices in relation to record keeping.
- Any member of staff suspecting child abuse or neglect must refer their suspicions to the Designated Child Protection Officer or their Deputy in their absence, who will then refer to Social Services, if appropriate.
- Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR) is a live document held by the school to demonstrate that staff have undergone appropriate recruitment and police checks.
- The Pastoral Care Manager attends regular briefings and forums organised by the Essex Safeguarding Children Board and other agencies to receive up to date information about child protection and safeguarding.
Our Safeguarding Lead is:
Mrs Prigg, Headteacher
Our other Safeguarding Leads are:
Mrs Cullen (Pastoral Care Manager), Mrs Dines (Deputy Headteacher)
Please click here for our Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Leaflet for further information.
If you are concerned about the welfare of any pupil in the school, then please telephone us and speak to one of our designated leads.
01245 472682
Important information
PREVENT policy and Guidance SET
PREVENT Safeguarding Policy and Guidance produced by Southend, Essex and Thurrock.
Safeguarding Leaflet
Guidance for adult visitors volunteering or working at St Michael’s CE (VA) Junior School.
Safeguarding Leads
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Mrs Prigg, Headteacher.
Our other Safeguarding Leads are: Mrs Cullen (Pastoral Care Manager), Mrs Dines (Deputy Headteacher)
CEOP
Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Make a report to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors.
Child Protection and Safeguarding policy
St. Michael’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
NSPCC
From advice on children’s mental health to staying safe online, support for parents and what to do if you’re worried about a child.
Report a Concern
Contact Children’s Social Care if a child or young person is in immediate danger, call 999. If you’re worried that a child is being abused or neglected, call us on 0345 603 7627. Out of hours or bank holidays, call the emergency duty team on 0345 606 1212.
Family Hubs
Essex Family and Wellbeing Service.