Safeguarding and Child Protection
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Mrs Vindel
El**********@*****************rg.uk
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) – Mr Glover and Mr Walters
Sa********@*****************rg.uk
The staff at Coniston Primary School are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in our care.
We recognise our legal and moral duty to promote the well-being of children, and protect them from harm, responding quickly to possible neglect and child abuse. We take our responsibilities extremely seriously and will do all we can to keep children and our families safe.
We believe that every child, regardless of age, has at all times and in all situations a right to feel safe and protected from any practice that results in them being physically or psychologically damaged. This includes any form of bullying.
At Coniston, we acknowledge that we have a primary responsibility for the care, welfare and safety of the pupils in our school community, and we will carry out this duty through our teaching and learning, extra-curricular activities, pastoral care and extended school activities. In order to achieve this, all members of staff (including volunteers and governors) at Coniston, in whatever capacity, will at all times act proactively in child welfare matters, reporting concerns to the DSL and/or the Headteacher, especially where there is a possibility that a child may be at risk of significant harm.
We recognise that children encounter risks when using IT and the Internet. We take seriously our responsibility to educate our children to help them to become safe and responsible users of new technologies. Our aim is to teach them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to remain both safe and legal online, wherever and whenever they use technology.
The school seeks to adopt an open and accepting attitude towards children as part of their responsibility for pastoral care. The school encourages clear communication with both parents and children, enabling them to talk freely about any concerns. Our school needs to be seen as a safe place for all stakeholders and it is our duty to ensure this is the case.
Children’s worries and fears will be taken seriously if they seek help from a member of staff.
Our school believes in the importance of early identification of issues for children and young people. We fully endorse the principles of multi-agency working and will engage in the EHAP (Early Help Assessment Plan) process for any child in our school for whom we feel this is appropriate.
In our school, if we have any concerns, we will take appropriate action in accordance with the procedures of South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board which are to be found at: https://www.proceduresonline.com/swcpp/
Sharing a concern
If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child or a member of our school community we ask you to speak directly to our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Vindel (DSL and Inclusion Lead). In her absence please speak to the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mr Walters (Headteacher). You can contact Mrs Vindel by telephoning the school office or sending an email. Please inform the office staff that you would like to share a safeguarding concern so we know to prioritise speaking to you urgently.
Bullying
We aim to keep bullying out of Coniston Primary School and take care to devise strategies to prevent it. The very good relationships that exist in the school mean that children develop the confidence to talk to staff about their concerns, knowing that they will be listened to and that any bullying will be tackled. Parents/carers should also inform the school if they have any concerns so we can take appropriate action.
For safeguarding concerns during the holidays and school closure:
- Email Mrs Vindel and Mr Glover marked ‘safeguarding’
- Contact the ART team 01454 866000 if you live in South Gloucestershire
- Contact First Response 0117 9036444 if you live in Bristol
- In case of emergency contact the police on 999
Useful links and support