R J Mitchell Primary School

Everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of, and to safeguard, children and young people.

The statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 defines safeguarding children and young people’s welfare as:

• Protecting children from maltreatment.
• Preventing 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.

Safeguarding is an integral part of school life at R J Mitchell Primary School, which is everyone’s responsibility. All staff receive yearly safeguarding training to recognise abuse and promote the welfare of our pupils. All staff and school Governors are required to read the school’s safeguarding policy as well as the most recent version of ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ yearly.

At R J Mitchell it is important for our pupils to feel safe. Our day-to-day practices and curriculum support our children by teaching them how to recognise abuse, stay safe on and offline and to use their voices to speak out. Children are encouraged to talk to a trusted adult if they are worried about anything. Our pastoral team are on hand to support any of our children with understanding and exploring their emotions and feelings and giving them a space to share their feelings.

Where concerns have been raised that a pupil is suffering significant harm, or is likely to do so, the school will intervene to protect that pupil.  Action will also be taken to promote the welfare of a pupil in need of additional support, even if they are not suffering harm or are at immediate risk.

At times, we may need to share information, get advice or work in partnership with other agencies if we are concerned about a child’s welfare. We believe it is always better to be transparent with all parties at these times and work together to achieve the best outcomes.

If you are concerned for a pupil's health, welfare or safety in any way you must speak to a member of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead Team:

	Designated Safeguarding Lead Ms V. Morris (Executive HT/DSL)
	Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead Mrs S. Garrard (Family Liaison & Safeguarding Officer)
	Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead Miss M. Fuller (Assistant HT)
	Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead Miss C. Deighan (Assistant HT)

If you have concerns about a pupil’s safety and wellbeing, including a child in your family, you can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit:

www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/reportabuse/ 

If you are worried about abuse or the way someone is communicating online, let CEOP know. One of their experienced child protection officers will make sure you get the help you will need. For more information visit:

www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ 

If a pupil is worried or needs support, visit: 

www.childline.org.uk/ 

The website offers support for young people covering a range of topics e.g. bullying, abuse, mobile phone safety, online safety, loneliness, bereavement etc.