Safeguarding Statement
At Ladymount Catholic Primary School we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils. We make every effort to provide an environment in which children and adults feel safe, secure, valued and respected, and feel confident to talk if they are worried, believing they will be effectively listened to.
We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. Child protection forms part of the school’s safeguarding responsibilities. We expect all staff, governors, visitors and families and children to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils. We follow the Wirral Children’s Safeguarding Partnership procedures and have a number of policies and procedures in place which contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection and Safeguarding (click on the link on the below). The purpose of this policy is to provide everyone with the framework they need in order to keep children safe and secure in our school. The policy also informs parents and carers how we will safeguard their children whilst they are in our care.
At Ladymount we expect all members of the school community to share this commitment including the children themselves.
What to do if you are worried about a child:
If you have any concerns about the well-being or safety of a child at our school or feel that something may be troubling them, you should share this information with an appropriate member of staff straight away.
Some issues such as a child’s appearance, hygiene or general behaviour can be shared with any member of staff in the school. Please do not worry that you may be reporting a small matter – we would rather you tell us things which turn out to be small than miss a worrying situation.
However, if you think that the matter is serious and may be related to a child protection concern - where the child has been harmed, or is at risk of harm, e.g. physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect, you must talk to one of the Designated Safeguarding Lead’s (DSLs) immediately.
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are:
Miss Nicola Turner– Senior DSL and Headteacher
Mrs Eileen Kelly – Deputy DSL and Deputy Headteacher
Mr Ian Wheeler – Safeguarding Governor
DO NOT DELAY.
If you are unable to contact them, you can ask the school office staff to find them and ask them to speak to you straight away about a confidential and urgent matter. Please do not conduct your own investigation.
If your concerns relate to a member of staffs suitability to work with children please speak to a DSL immediately, in confidence, who will refer the matter to the Headteacher (or Chair of Governors if the concern relates to the Headteacher) who will investigate and consider what action to take.
Our procedures provide a robust framework which enables staff to take appropriate action when they are concerned that a child is being harmed or abused or is at risk of harm or abuse. The prime concern at all stages must be the interests and safety of the child. Where there is a conflict of interest between the child and an adult, the interests of the child must be paramount.
Operation Encompass
In conjunction with Merseyside Police, Ladymount Catholic Primary School is involved in an initiative called Operation Encompass. The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in, heard or witnessed a domestic abuse incident. Following such an incident, children can arrive at school distressed, upset, worried and unprepared. Operation Encompass aims to ensure that appropriate school staff (called Key Adults) are made aware early enough to support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe and included.
At Ladymount our Key Adult is Miss Turner (headteacher).
This is a valuable initiative that means that we can continue to support and help children and families within our school community when they need it most. You can find out more by visiting www.operationencompass.org or by contacting our Key Adult.