School Policy

Purpose of our Safeguarding Policy

Mosspits Lane Primary School's safeguarding policy provides clear direction to all school stakeholders about expected practice in dealing with safeguarding issues.  It makes explicit the school’s commitment to the development of good practice and effective procedures, ensuring that safeguarding concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in a way that supports and protects the needs of the child.

There are three main aims to our Child Protection Policy:

Prevention: by creating a positive school atmosphere and providing high quality teaching and pastoral support to pupils;

Protection: by following agreed procedures and ensuring staff are appropriately recruited, trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Child Protection concerns;

Support: by providing support for pupils and school staff and for children who may have been or are being abused.

All those working in education can contribute to the safeguarding and protection of the welfare of a child in need.

According to the DfE, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

• protecting children from maltreatment;
• preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
• ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility at Mosspits Lane Primary School.

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 Mosspits Lane Primary School including:

• Teachers
• Teaching assistants
• Administrative assistant
• Supply teachers
• Students
• Midday supervisors
• Visitors/volunteers
• Adult helpers
• Governors
• Trustees

If in doubt, any one with concerns should seek advice from the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Miss K. McGing or contact Children’s Services directly on 0151 233 3700.

Safeguarding Support and Information

Operation Encompass is the name for a service that connects the Police force with schools, following a report of any domestic disturbance that results in the police attending the incident.  Schools are informed via their Safeguarding email of the situation, in order for us to support children and families effectively.

Our message to anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse is clear: You are not alone and you don’t have to suffer in silence – please speak to us if you need support.  

 Who to contact:

 If you, your child or anyone in the family are at immediate risk of harm, you should contact the police urgently, CALL 999 

Police guidance on the ‘999 silent solution’ call:

The 999 call system allows all 999 callers to access support if they are unable to speak during the call.  It is important that either a noise is made or that 55 is pressed.  For example, if you can only make noise, such as tapping the handset, coughing, crying or even talking to the offender, then these actions will alert the attention of the BT operator.

The Police Force and specially trained officers are still there for people during the lockdown.  The below list details services which are also available:

For support:

In an emergency always, ring 999. Using a silent 999 call followed by 55 (or tapping/coughing into the phone) will enable police to respond.

National Domestic Abuse 24 hour Support Helpline: 0808 2000 247

RESPECT National Helpline, perpetrators (9am to 5pm): 0808 802 4040

• https://ehd.liverpool.gov.uk/kb5/liverpool/fsd/results.page?qt=domestic+abuse&term=&sorttype=relevance&sr=20
• https://www.victimcaremerseyside.org/home/who-can-help.aspx
• http://respect.uk.net/contact-us/

Or ring:

• Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services 0151 263 7474
• Merseyside Domestic Violence Service  0780 272 2703
• South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services 0151 494 2222
• Ruby Project  0771 428 9180
• Savera UK (honour based abuse & harmful practice specialist)   0800 107 0726
• Worst Kept Secret Helpline (Merseyside)  0800 028 3398

Support for children:

Young Persons Advisory Service (YPAS)  0151 707 1025

NSPCC

Support for men:

Men’s Advice Line (Freephone) 0808 801 0327

Further support can also be found at these national agencies:

 Women’s Aid | womensaid.org.uk | https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)

Refuge (includes information for men) | refuge.org.uk | 0808 200 0247 (24 hours)

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 999 5428

Online Safety - support for parents and carers 

https://parentinfo.org/ - is a collaboration between Parentzone and the NCA providing support and guidance for parents from leading experts and organisations - good links to safety online and health and well-being.

https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/parent-and-carer-toolkit - offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, to set boundaries around online behaviour and technology use, and to find out where to get more help and support

https://www.internetmatters.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIktuA5LWK2wIVRYXVCh2afg2aEAAYASAAEgIJ5vD_BwEprovides age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices, and a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world

https://www.lgfl.net/online-safety/default.aspx - has support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online, including tips to keep primary aged children safe online

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers - has tips, advice, guides and other resources to help keep children safe online, including parental controls offered by home internet providers and safety tools on social networks and other online services