Safeguarding

Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children and Young People

Churnet View Middle School recognises its legal duty under s175 Education Act 2002 (section 157 in relation to independent schools and academies) and the 1989 and 2004 Children Acts. We take seriously our responsibilities to protect and safeguard the interests of all pupils and we recognise that effective child protection work requires sound procedures, good inter-agency co-operation and a workforce that is competent and confident in responding to child protection situations.

Our procedures aim to provide a framework which ensures that all our practice in regard to safeguarding children is consistent with the stated values and procedures that underpin all work with children and young people. Statutory guidance defines a child as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.

As part of our procedures all staff undertake mandatory training including Prevent, Level One Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children Training and e-Safety.

Churnet View Middle School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children in school. We believe that pupils have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment which includes the right to protection from all types of abuse; where staff are vigilant for signs of any pupil in distress and are confident about applying the/our safeguarding processes to avert and alleviate any such problems.

Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm – safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment – and that we all feel safe in our environment.

Safeguarding Statement

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This means that we have a Child Protection Policy and procedures in place. Parents and carers are welcome to read the Policy; please see the link below. Churnet View Safeguarding Policy 2024

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare. If a member of staff is concerned about a child’s welfare, they will record their concern, and any observations or conversation heard, and report to one of the DSLs as soon as possible the same day.

If a member of staff has concerns which relate to the actions or behaviour of another member of staff (which could suggest that s/he is unsuitable to work with children) then this will be reported to one of the DSLs in confidence, who will refer the matter to the Headteacher (or the Chair of Governors if the concern relates to the Headteacher) who will consider what action to take.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 as:

providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge
protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online
preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
ensuring that children can grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
promoting the upbringing of children with their birth parents, or otherwise their family network through a kinship care arrangement, whenever possible and where this is in the best interests of the children
taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in line with the outcomes set out in the Children’s Social Care National Framework

If you are ever concerned about the safety or well‐being of someone at our school please talk to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead’s (DDSL).