Great Binfields Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and members of the wider school community to share this commitment of responsibility.  Our children know they can talk about their worries to an adult they trust and they report that they feel safe at school. Parents/carers report their children feel safe at school. This is because we have children's safety and well-being as a key priority and have strong safeguarding procedures.

All staff and volunteers are given clear guidance and training in how to behave and work with children.  They are highly vigilant and report any concerns they have about a child's well-being/welfare swiftly.  We will talk with parents if concerns have been noted and will keep them informed should we feel it is necessary for us to report these concerns to another agency unless the child is at immediate risk. 

Should you have any concerns relating to the safety and welfare of a child either inside or outside of school you should immediately contact one our Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSLs):

Miss Lyddon, Headteacher (Lead DSL)

Mrs Holdsworth, Assistant Headteacher (Deputy DSL)

Miss Rendall, Class teacher (Deputy DSL)

Miss Khan EYFS Lead & SENDCO (Deputy DSL) 

Our school's Lead Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Aileen Brown.

No single person can have a full picture of a child's needs and circumstances. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action - this includes members of the public. You can also contact Hampshire Children's Services by calling or emailing:

Phone 0300 555 1384

Email childrens.services@hants.gov.uk

Should you have any concerns in terms of Safeguarding relating to the behaviour of a member of staff, you should immediately contact the Headteacher.  If the allegation concerns the Headteacher, you should contact: Mrs Cullinane, Chair of Governors, via school who will arrange for her to call you as soon as possible.

Should you feel that your concerns have not been dealt with appropriately by the school/Chair of Governors, you should contact: Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), which can be found on the follow website. https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/safeguardingchildren/allegations 

We have safe computer access, with secure filtering (via Harrap IT) and we train children and staff in e-safety.  We also provide guidance to parents on e-safety. (see our e-safety section on this website)

Our safeguarding procedures are monitored by Hampshire County Council. Great Binfields Primary School and the Governing Body fully recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements within our school to identify, assess, and support those children who are suffering harm.  We also follow safer recruitment practices when appointing new staff and volunteers. Our staff and governors regularly undertake training in this area to ensure the welfare and safety of our children remains paramount. 

For full details of the our safeguarding arrangements please refer to the Safeguarding policy below. This policy explains how the school deals with child protection concerns, including allegations about the behaviour of members of staff.

All schools must follow:

·         The law

·         Statutory guidance from the Department of Education and Skills - Keeping Children Safe in Education

·         Local multi-agency child protection procedures

The School has adopted the definition of the term 'Safeguarding' used in the Children Act 2004. 

Safeguarding is:

• protecting children from maltreatment;
• preventing impairment of children's health or development;
• ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
• undertaking that role so as to enable those children to have optimum life chances and to enter adulthood successfully.

The School's safeguarding arrangements cover all aspects of life at School, in particular addressing these issues:

• health and safety;
• bullying;
• other harassment and discrimination, including racism;
• physical intervention;
• meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions;
• provision of medical first aid;
• drug and substance abuse;
• off-site visits;
• mental health and wellbeing
• intimate care;
• internet and communications safety;
• physical security of the School site;
• protection from maltreatment; and
• safe recruitment and vetting of staff and visitors to the site.

If the school is worried about a pupil's safety and welfare they must refer this onto Children Services first and then after consideration of information this may transfer to the Safeguarding and Assessment Team.
The school will normally let the pupil's parent(s) know when we do this, but we do not contact parents if we think that this could put a child at risk of harm.
When a school refers a child protection concern it must share all relevant information about the pupil. The Data Protection Act allows schools to share personal information with other agencies when there are child protection concerns about a child.
They may decide that it needs looking into further. What action is taken will depend on the circumstances. Any of the following may be appropriate:
 ·        An Initial Assessment

·         Child Protection enquiries - this includes agencies assessing the risks to any children based upon the information shared, research ad talking to those concerned.

·         If the referral relates to an allegation about a member of staff, usually a strategy discussion will take place between the school, the local authority, the Local Allegations Designated Officer and the police, to decide what will happen next.

·         They will contact the parent to let them know what is happening as soon as possible.

Domestic Abuse

This school receives information form the police to alert the Designated Safeguarding Leaders in the school when there has been an incident of domestic abuse in a household where a pupil lives. We are not informed of the detail of the incident, only that one has occurred. This allows us to monitor and support the pupil. If we have additional concerns we will discuss the need for further safeguarding actions with Children's Services. This information would only be shared with other staff on a restricted need to know basis i.e. those who are immediately responsible for the pupil's welfare, such as the class teacher. Where a multi agency risk assessment conference occurs the school may be asked for information and appropriate school related information may be shared with the school after the meeting.

Guidance for Parents

Useful numbers are listed below, or click on the name to be taken directly to their website. The NSPCC website has many resources aimed at all ages that parents can use to remind their children about keeping themselves safe in different situations.

National Childline: 0800 1111                        

NSPCC: 0800 800500  

Banardo's: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/

Samaritans: 0845 790 9090 

NAPAC (National Association for Persons Abused in Childhood): 0800 085 333

KIDSCAPE (Preventing Bullying Protecting Children): 0207 730 3300  or 08451 205 204   

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 200 0247

A key part of the government's counter-terrorism strategy is called 'Prevent'. The aim is to prevent radicalisation of any individual, and to positively promote what it means to be British, in order to create a cohesive society that lives out British values, whatever the origins or ethnicity of individuals.

How do we do our part in promoting good British Values?

• We take great pride in developing our children's Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural development.
• We ensure that our safeguarding practices are kept up-to-date, and our policy and training covers the different aspects of the 'Prevent Strategy'.
• We are ensuring that our pupils are able to think critically using curriculum opportunities.
• We teach about different religions and celebrate Diversity throughout the year.
• All assemblies focus on our Learning Values, which inherently promote British Values.
• We challenge and act strongly on any form of racism or prejudice, either by adults or children.
• We provide strong emotional and pastoral support.