Safeguarding

Leigh Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all children, and expects our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

NOTICE – CHECK – SHARE

Safeguarding children means taking action to promote the welfare of children and to protect them from harm. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Safeguarding includes:

Protecting children from maltreatment
Preventing impairment of children’s mental health and physical health or development
Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

Child Protection is a term that outlines the legal process once a child has been deemed to require social care intervention.

Are you a Parent or Guardian? Protecting children is your responsibility too...

Our school will support all children by:

Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment
Encouraging self-esteem and self-assertiveness
Effectively tackling bullying and harassment

We recognise that some children may be victims of neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Staff working with children are well placed to identify such abuse.

At our school in order to protect our children we aim to:

Create an atmosphere where all children feel secure, valued and listened to
Recognise signs and symptoms of abuse
Respond quickly, appropriately and effectively to cases of suspected abuse

Designated Safeguarding Leads

If you have a concern that a child is being harmed, is at risk of harm, or you receive a disclosure (intentionally or unintentionally) you must contact a member of our school’s safeguarding team or you may wish to contact the Police. It is never ok to do nothing.

Mrs S Azam	Deputy Head Teacher	Lead DSL\Designated Teacher for LAC
Mrs A Williams	Head Teacher	DSL\SPOC
Miss S Davies	SENCO	DSL
Mr A Nevin	Assistant Head Teacher	DSL
Ms Y Bowles	Learning Mentor	DSL
Mrs M Hegarty	Learning Mentor	DSL
Mrs H Begum	Administrator\Attendance	DSL

Everyone working with our children and their parents/carers should be aware that their role is to:

Listen and note carefully any observations which could indicate abuse
Not to attempt to investigate once the initial concern is raised
Refer to the Designated Senior Lead (DSL) immediately
Remember disclosures of abuse or harm from children may be made at any time

If anything worries you or concerns you, report is straight away!

Worried about a child?

If you are ever worried about a child, please telephone Birmingham Children's Advice & Support Service (CASS) on 0121 303 1888 or email them at cass@birmingham.gov.uk. Outside of normal office hours call 0121 675 4806 for the emergency duty team.

In an emergency where a child's safety is at immediate risk of significant harm, call 999.

The Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) has launched a public awareness campaign called
‘Keeping Children Safe is Everybody’s Business’. For more information click here.

Safeguarding documents

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Uncollected Children Process

Right Help Right Time Guidance

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Further information

Domestic Abuse

Does your partner, ex-partner or someone you live with:
cut you off from family and friends and intentionally isolate you?
bully, threaten, or control you?
take control of your finances?
monitor or limit your use of technology?
physically and/or sexually abuse you?

Domestic abuse is not always physical violence. It can also include:

coercive control and ‘gaslighting’
economic abuse
online abuse
threats and intimidation
emotional abuse
sexual abuse

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality or background.

If you believe that you are a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for including:

being withdrawn, or being isolated from your family and friends
having bruises, burns or bite marks on you
having your finances controlled, or not being given enough to buy food, medication or pay bills
not being allowed to leave your house, or stopped from going to college or work
having your internet or social media use monitored, or someone else reading your texts, emails or letters
being repeatedly belittled, put down or told you are worthless
being pressured into sex or sexual contact
being told that abuse is your fault, or that you’re overreacting

All forms of domestic abuse are not acceptable in any situation.

Domestic abuse has a major impact upon the health, well-being and education of children and young people. If you’re experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by, a partner, an ex-partner or family member, it’s important to remember that it’s not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help.

Services that can support you:

Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid - 0808 800 0028 or www.bswaid.org

Rights of Women Legal Advice Line - Free confidential legal advice on family law, divorce and relationship breakdown, children and contact issues, domestic violence, sexual violence, discrimination and lesbian parenting can be sought by calling 02072516577 or you can visit www.rightsofwomen.org.uk

National Domestic Abuse Helpline - The 24 hour fee helpline can be accessed by calling 0808 2000 247 or you can visit www.womensaid.org.uk/
M.A.L.E: Men's Advice Line & Enquiries - A confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse can be accessed by calling 0808 8010327 or you can visit www.mensadviceline.org.uk

FGM

Call the Police on 101 if you have information about FGM or believe a child may be at risk. In an emergency, dial 999. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the NSPCC's FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550

Further information about FGM can be found by clicking on the link below:
Birmingham Against FGM

The Lanyard Song

This song has been written to help children and staff remember what the different colour lanyards mean at Leigh.

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