CKIS Safeguarding Statement 2023

Introduction:

Charlton Kings Infants’ School Governing Body recognises its responsibility, under section 175 of the Education Act 2002, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; and to work together with other agencies to ensure there are adequate arrangements within our school to identify, assess and support those children who may be suffering harm. This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles established by the Children Acts 1989 and 2004; the Education Act 2002 and in line with statutory guidance: ‘Working together to safeguard children’ (DfE 2018) and ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (DfE 2023). This policy also takes on board procedures and guidance set out by Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership (GSCP).

Definition of Safeguarding:

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

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

Children includes everyone under the age of 18.

 

Aims of the Schools’ Safeguarding Arrangements:

Charlton Kings Infants’ School recognises that all adults, including supply staff, volunteers, non-teaching staff and management committee members, have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm, and that the welfare of each child is of paramount importance. All staff have a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn and flourish. Staff and volunteers are particularly well placed to observe possible outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour and failure to develop because they have daily contact with children.

We will do this by:

• Maintaining and continuing to create an environment in which all children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected and where they can learn and fully develop.
• Establishing and maintaining an environment where children are encouraged to talk, and are listened to when they have a worry or concern. Ensure children know they can approach staff if they are worried.
• Establishing and maintaining an environment where school staff, volunteers and visitors are encouraged to share and are listened to when they have concerns about the safety and well-being of a child.
• Ensuring that all staff know the procedures for reporting a concern or making a child protection referral and that staff are well equipped to spot signs of abuse or a child in need of early help for a variety of reasons.
• Ensuring that any children who have been abused will be supported in line with a child protection plan, where deemed necessary.
• Including opportunities in the curriculum for children to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse or from other areas of risk as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. Ensure our children are equipped with the skills they need to keep themselves safe, including keeping safe on line.
• Contribute to the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development of children as well as other key aspects of a young person’s well-being (being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-being).
• To ensure that we have suitable staff working within our school by adhering stringently to safer recruitment processes and ensuring any unsuitable behaviour is reported and managed quickly using the Allegations Management procedures.
• Ensure all staff members maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned and that when issues arise about the welfare of a child, staff members always act in the interests of the child.

The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Procedures document forms part of a suite of documents and policies highlighted below which relate to the safeguarding responsibilities of our school.  These policies are supplemented and enhanced by reference to those provided by Gloucestershire County Council’s HR team and the latest versions of Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children.