Safeguarding

Designated Child Protection Staff and Safeguarding Team

Mr Adam Cooper
Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr George Gardiner
Vice Principal and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Miss Eleanor Gilligan
SENCo and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Ms Kay Roantree
Safeguarding Governor

If you are concerned about the welfare of someone at our school, please speak to one of the people above.

At Knavesmire Primary School we are passionate about supporting the well-being of all members of the school community, children, parents and staff. With this comes a firm commitment to safeguarding.

What do we mean by safeguarding?

The Government defines it as:

• Protecting children from maltreatment
• Preventing the impairment of children’s 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

This now includes the commitment to actively support the government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism in its many forms.

As well as actively working for all of the above, Safeguarding is about ensuring that the whole school community is safe from harm – safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment – and that we all feel safe in our environment.

We expect all staff, members of the governing body, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment.

Our Principal, Mr Cooper, is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and works closely with the staff team, particularly Mr Gardiner and Miss Gilligan, the Deputy Safeguarding Leads.

This means he:

• Makes sure that safeguarding is a key focus in the life of the school and that all staff recognise that keeping pupils safe is the most important thing we can do.

With this in mind, he is responsible for making sure all staff can recognise the various forms of abuse and respond appropriately when they have a concern.

• Ensures he is fully informed of any safeguarding issues, particularly where there are any on-going enquiries or police issues.
• Works with the staff team as appropriate, ensuring he has as much information as possible regarding safety and safeguarding, when deciding how best to progress a particular concern.
• Is available as a source of support, advice and expertise for staff.
• Liaises with the Local Area Designated Officer should concerns have arisen regarding a member of staff.

We regularly liaise with other agencies to work with children directly. This might be as a whole school, class, small group or individually. Examples of agencies we work with include The NSPCC, IDAS, Changing Lives, Young Carers and various workers from the local authority, including school nurses, members of the local area teams and social workers.

We are also part of Operation Encompass, which is run jointly between all schools in York, The City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police. This project has been designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of normal school hours and that might have had an impact on a child attending our premises the following day.

If we feel it appropriate to share information or concerns about a child with a member of an external agency we will discuss this with a parent first. Information is shared and stored following GDPR guidelines. Very occasionally, if we feel it is not in the child’s best interest, we may decide to speak directly with a professional before a parent is informed.

The York MASH Team

The York MASH team provides professionals and members of the public with advice, information and support about services for children and young people who are vulnerable and at risk. The service aims to help practitioners to deliver the right help to the right children and young people at the right time and support practitioners to work in an integrated way with children, young people and their families.

Are you concerned about a child? Contact #YorkMASH on 01904 551900 or email mash@york.gov.uk. Further information can be found on the CYSCP website #helpustohelpthem

Did you know we’ve got a safeguarding hub which you can contact about any concerns or worries that you have about a child or young person? You can contact them on 01904 551900 or email mash@york.gov.uk. Further information can be found here #helpustohelpthem.

Are you concerned about a child?

Call Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01904 551900. If you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999. Further information can be found here #helpustohelpthem

When schools, colleges and childcare settings are not open to all, this may mean some children and young people are more isolated and vulnerable. To find out about support available, get in touch on 01904 551900 or earlyhelp@york.gov.uk #earlyhelpYork #helpustohelpthem.

This can be a stressful and uncertain time for some families. Reach out to find out about support available, 01904 551900 or earlyhelp@york.gov.uk #earlyhelpYork #helpustohelpthem.

Sometimes children and families need some extra support. Early help brings together people from the right services who can work with you and your family to help make things better. To find out about support available, get in touch on 01904 551900 or earlyhelp@york.gov.uk #earlyhelpYork #helpustohelpthem.

The Underwear Rule

Simple conversations really can help keep your child safe, and that’s what we will help you do. We want to help parents and carers talk to their children about staying safe. The Underwear Rule is just one way that – together – we can prevent child abuse.

We teach our pupils the NSPCC’s Underwear Rule using the ‘PANTS’ acrostic.

PANTS stands for:

• Privates are private
• Always remember your body belongs to you
• No means no
• Talk about secrets that upset you
• Speak up, someone can help

Talk PANTS with Pantosaurus and his PANTS song #TalkPANTS

Meet Pantosaurus – our pant-wearing Dino! He wants every child to stay safe and strong, just like him, and he’s on a mission to share an important message.

The Underwear Rule: Parents’ tips for talking PANTS

Parents share their tips on using the NSPCC’s Underwear Rule guide. Hear how they had simple conversations with their children about keeping safe. Teach your child the Underwear Rule. Get your free guide here.

The Underwear Rule: useful links

Underwear Rule – Parents’ Guide 

Underwear Rule – Foster Carers’ Guide 

Underwear Rule – Parents’ Guide for Pupils with a Learning Disability

NSPCC

National Help Lines and Websites

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) 0870 000 3344

The UK’s national police centre for protecting young people and children from sexual abuse.

Childline (24 hours): 0800 1111

Free and confidential helpline for children & young adults in the UK.

Childnet  T: 020 7639 6967

A non-profit organisation working with others to help make the Internet a safe place for children.

Contact-A-Family T: 020 7608 8700  Helpline 0808 808 3555

Support for families of children with disabilities.

Cry-sis T: 08451 228 669  Help line open 9am-10pm 7 days a week.

Help for parents/carers with persistently crying and/or sleepless babies.

Family Rights Group T: 020  7923 2628 Main Office. Helpline 0808 801 0366

Support with child protection procedures. 10-3.30pm Mon-Fri

Kidscape  T: 020 7730 3300  Helpline 08451 205 204, or ring Childline 0800 1111

Deals with bullying, stranger danger, threats of abuse.

Lucy Faithfull Foundation T: 01527 591922

A child protection charity specialising in working with people perpetrating and affected by child sexual abuse.

NCH Action for Children T: 020 7704 7000

Supports and speaks out for the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK.

Netmums T: 01923 639180

Web based parenting organisation to help parents share information and advice.

NSPCC Child Protection Line T: 0808 800 500

Acts in cases of neglect and abuse of children.

NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) T: 0800 085 3330

For adult survivors of incest and abuse.

Respond T: 020 7383 0700. Helpline 0808 808 0700

Sexual abuse and people with learning disabilities.

SafeKids.com

Online safety tools for families.

Think You Know

Online educational resources for children and young people provided by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.

Women’s Aid T: 0117 944 4411   Freephone 24 hr helpline 0808 2000 247

Emergency accommodation for abused women and children.