Our School Primary Nursery Community Church School Safeguarding Calendar Contact Login Safeguarding Statement Safeguarding Statement West Monkton Safeguarding Team Safeguarding Resources E-Safety Early Help Safeguarding Issues Help for Parents & Carers Safeguarding at West Monkton! What we do! Safeguarding Statement What is Safeguarding? Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means: Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment Preventing harm to children's health or development Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care. What does Safeguarding Cover? Safeguarding covers numerous topics, many of which are interconnected, including: Bullying Child Exploitation Domestic and Sexual violence/abuse Mental health and wellbeing Self-harm Neglect Prevent (Preventing Violent Extremism) Substance Misuse Violence Against Women and Girls (including FGM) E-Safety Safeguarding at WMPS Who is responsible for Safeguarding? Everyone has a responsibility to keep children and young people safe. All organisations that come into contact with children should have specific safeguarding policies and procedures in place. This includes voluntary and community organisations, faith groups, private sector providers, as well as schools, hospitals and sports clubs. The Oak Partnership Child Protection Statement Our Child Protection Policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in all phases of the Academy. There are five main elements to our policy: 1. Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children. 2. Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe. 3. Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases of abuse. 4. Supporting pupils who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed child protection plan. 5. Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop. We recognise that because of the day-to-day contact with children, Academy staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The school will therefore:  Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to.  Ensure children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried.  Include opportunities in the curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse. We will follow the procedures set out by the Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Education to:  Ensure we have a designated senior person for child protection who has received appropriate training and support for this role.  Ensure we have a nominated governor responsible for child protection.  Ensure every member of staff (including temporary and supply staff and volunteers) and governing body knows the name of the designated senior person responsible for child protection and their role.  Ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated senior person responsible for child protection.  Notify Social Services if there is an unexplained absence of more than two days of a pupil who is subject to a child protection plan.  Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at case conferences.  Keep written (paper or electronic) records of concerns about children, even when there is no need to refer the matter immediately.  Ensure all records are kept securely, separate from the main pupil file and in locked locations  Develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.  Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed. We recognise that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame.The school may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk. When at school their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. As an academy we actively engage with external support an in addition offer our own individual pastoral support plans to help children who have witnessed or experienced trauma. 01823 412582 office@wm.oak.education Bridgwater Road, Bathpool, Taunton, TA2 8FT eSchools uses cookies. View our privacy and cookies policy Cookie Preferences and Privacy Policy © School website design by eSchools. Content provided by West Monkton CEVC Primary School. All rights reserved. 2021 eSchools uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on this website.Learn more DismissAccept specificAccept all