Pilling St John’s CE Primary School and Nursery fully recognises the contribution we can make to protect children from harm and to support and promote the welfare of all children who are pupils at our school.  Our policy applies to all stakeholders; this includes pupils, staff, parents, governors, volunteers, placement students and visitors. 

Our policy will give clear direction to all stakeholders about expectations and our legal and moral responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children at our school. 

Pilling St John’s CE Primary School and Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the physical, mental and emotional welfare of every pupil. We implement a whole-school preventative approach to managing safeguarding concerns, ensuring that the wellbeing of pupils is at the forefront of all action taken. We recognise that no single professional 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.

Our policy sets out a clear and consistent framework for delivering this promise, in line with safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. It will be achieved by: 

• Ensuring that members of the governing board, the headteacher, staff and all stakeholders understand their responsibilities under safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, are alert to the signs of child abuse, and know to refer concerns to the DSL. In additional, to ensure that staff are aware that ANYONE can make a referral and understand professional challenge. 

• Teaching pupils how to keep safe and recognise behaviour that is unacceptable.

• Identifying and making provision for any pupil that has been subject to, or is at risk of, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

• Creating a culture of safer recruitment by adopting procedures that help deter, reject or identify people who might pose a risk to children

• Endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued; where the voice of the child is listened to and is paramount.

• Where it is believed that a child is at risk of or is suffering significant harm, the school will follow the procedures set out by our local Safeguarding Children Partnership arrangements. 

Please see the Policy section of the website to view more information in our most recent Safeguarding and Child protection Policy.

Please see our Early Help page here

• The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Jonathan Ratcliffe - head@pillingstjohns.co.uk

• The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Carly Turner - cturner@pillingstjohns.co.uk

• Lancashire Social care support for children and families  - website

• If there are immediate safeguarding concerns to the child call 0300 123 6720 or out of hours 0300 123 6722.

• Lancashire PREVENT website

• NSPCC - online safety - website

• Operation Encompass is a UK-wide police and education partnership that shares information with schools about children who have been exposed to domestic abuse. By notifying the school's designated safeguarding lead before the start of the next school day, the operation enables the school to provide timely and discreet support to the child. This early intervention is designed to mitigate the long-term impacts of domestic abuse on a child's well-being and development.  

• Operation Encompass website