Safeguarding
SAFEGUARDING
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
Safeguarding means:
protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
preventing harm to children’s health or development
ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.
At Copthorne CE Junior School, we are passionate about and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and visitors to share this commitment.
We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, children and staff at school. We have robust policies in place for ensuring the wellbeing of our children. These policies underpin our practice and values shared by every single member of staff in our school. Copies are available from the school office.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility at Copthorne Juniors.
Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is childcentred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
This policy applies to all who come into contact with children at Copthorne Junior School including:
- Teachers
- Teaching assistants
- Administrative assistant
- Supply teachers
- Students
- Midday supervisors
- Visitors/volunteers
- Adult helpers
- Governors
Any concerns about children are passed through the members of staff who are trained as “Designated Child Protection Officers” in the school in compliance with the “sharing of information” guidance.
Copthorne CE Junior School is a member of the Operation Encompass scheme which is run jointly between local schools, Sussex Police and West Sussex County Council. This scheme has been designed to provide early reporting on any domestic incidents that occur outside of school and maight have an impact on a child in school.
What to do if you are concerned about a child
Children and young people have the right to grow up safe from harm or abuse. If you are worried about a child or young person, please contact one of the designated leads below.
Points of contact for Safeguarding
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Helen Denison - Headteacher
Email: head@copthornejunior.co.uk
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Melissa Ash - Deputy Headteacher/SENCO & Inclusion
Email: SEN@copthornejunior.co.uk
Governor for Safeguarding
Frances Strickley - Chair of Governors
Email: Chair@copthornejunior.co.uk