Safeguarding at Christ Church
Family support & safeguarding children In Royal Greenwich
Christ Church Safeguarding Statement
Christ Church Church of England Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and requires all staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment. This guide contains information about our expectations of you whilst visiting the school. If you are unclear about anything in it please speak to any of the contacts named within. Please keep this guide in a safe place so that you can read it again if you need to. If you are concerned about the safety of any child in our school, you must report this to the Designated Safeguarding Leads – Anne-Marie Bahlol; Headteacher and Laura Simpson; Deputy Headteacher & SENCo and deputies Lee Sutton and Linda Rogers. If you are concerned about the conduct of a member of staff or a volunteer in our school, you must contact the Headteacher, Anne-Marie Bahlol or the Chair of Governors, Mother Ariadne Van Den Hof.
Safeguarding Staff
Designated Safeguarding Leads:
Anne-Marie Bahlol - Headteacher
Laura Simpson - Deputy Headteacher & SENCo
Safeguarding Governor: Lesley Ferdenando
Lee Sutton - Class Teacher and Leadership Team
Linda Rogers - School Business Manager
Visitor Procedures
- All visitors must enter the school and sign in at Main Reception.
- All visitors will be issued with an appropriate pass which must be displayed at all times whilst on the site.
- Visitors will be asked to remain under the supervision of a designated member of staff whilst on site.
- Visitors wishing to speak to a particular member of staff should telephone the school to make an appointment, when possible, to avoid disappointment.
- Visitors must not use a smart phone or camera on site.
- Visitors must sign out at the Main Reception and return their visitor pass before leaving the site.
Keeping Yourself Safe
- Be professional. Be careful how you interact with or speak to a child, the child may interpret it differently
- Avoid physical contact with children unless you are preventing them from immediately harming themselves or others
- Avoid being on your own with a child, always ensure that a door is open and that you are visible to others
- It is best not to do anything for a child that he or she can do for him or herself
- Always tell someone if a child touches you or speaks to you inappropriately. Log down the incident time and date and pass it onto the Headteacher
- If you have concerns about the conduct of staff, it is your responsibility to inform the Headteacher
- If your concern is about the Headteacher, contact the Governor responsible for Safeguarding, who is also the Chair of Governors
What do I do if I am worried about a child?
If you become concerned about:
- Something a child says
- Marks or bruises on a child
- Changes in a child’s behaviour or demeanour
You must inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead
- If you feel that a child may be at risk of harm but are not sure then inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately who will offer advice and take appropriate action
- Child abuse happens to all children regardless of gender, culture, religion, social background and those with or without a disability
- A copy of the School’s Safeguarding Policy is located in the school office and on the School’s website
- Sometimes a child may disclose information to you. If this happens then the following actions must take place.
What do I do if a child discloses that they are being harmed?
- React calmly
- Listen carefully to the child, particularly what is said spontaneously
- Do not promise confidentiality. Explain to the child that you may need to pass on the information if you are worried about their safety
- You may clarify your concern using “tell, explain, describe or outline” but as soon as your concern is confirmed, ask no further questions as further enquiries may be compromised.
Only trained investigators question a child.
- Reassure the child that they have done the right thing
- Record carefully what the child says in their own words, including how and when the account was given. Date, time and sign the record. Pass this on to the Designated Member of Staff for Safeguarding immediately.
Types of Harm
Everybody has a responsibility to keep all children under the age of 18 safe and this applies to both the home and school environment. Harm is identified in four ways:
Physical – This is when a child is deliberately hurt or injured
Sexual – This includes any sexual behaviour where a child is harassed, influenced or forced to take part in a sexual activity. This may or may not be a physical activity i.e. being exposed to inappropriate images Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or peer on peer abuse.
Emotional – This is when a child is made to feel frightened, worthless or unloved. It can be by shouting, using threats or making fun of someone. It can also be when children see their parents, or visitors to the home, fighting or using violence
Neglect – This is when a child is not being taken care of by their parents. It can be poor hygiene, poor diet, not keeping appointments for additional support, not coming to school or, being left at home alone
Extremism and Radicalisation – The holding of extreme political or religious views
Staff Conduct
If you are concerned about the conduct of a member of staff following an observation or disclosure, the following actions must be taken:
- Immediately inform the Headteacher
- In their absence, immediately inform one of the Deputy Safeguarding Leads deputies or if more appropriate the Safeguarding Governor.
Remember….if in doubt…..ask.
Safeguarding Policies - See our policies page for all relevant documentation.
Click here for our Policies page
Click here for our Safeguarding Guide
Click here to view our Safeguarding at Christ Church Overview
You may also find the resources and signposts under Parents & Community helpful.
Department for Education Keeping Children Safe in Education