Woodlands Primary School recognise our statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and everyone has a role to play. All members of our community  (staff, volunteers, governors, leaders, parents / carers , wider family networks and pupils) have an important role in safeguarding children and all  have an essential role to play in making this community safe and secure.  

Staff working with children at Woodlands Primary School will maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned.  When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff will always act in the best interests of the child and if any member of our community has a safeguarding concern about any child or adult, they should act and act immediately. 

What does safeguarding in school mean and what do we do to keep your children safe?

Schools play an essential role in protecting children from abuse and neglect. Our school keeps all its children and families safe by:

• Creating safe environments for children and young people through robust safeguarding practices
• Ensuring that adults who work in the school, including volunteers, don't pose a risk to children
• Making sure staff are trained, know how to respond to concerns and keep-up-to-date with policy and practice
• Teaching children about staying safe
• Maintaining an environment where children feel confident to approach any member of staff if they have a worry or problem.
• Being proactive against bullying and racist behaviour
• Protecting our children from harassment and discrimination
• Maintaining a positive approach to behaviour management including the use of physical intervention, safely, when necessary
• Meeting the needs of children with medical conditions
• Providing first aid
• Protecting children from drug and substance abuse
• Enabling children to enjoy safe educational visits
• Ensure children are safe when using the internet and making sure they are aware of cyber bullying
• Ensuring our school site is secure and safe

Types of abuse:

• Domestic abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Online abuse
• Physical abuse
• Child sex exploitation
• Female genital mutilation
• Bullying and cyber bullying
• Child trafficking
• Grooming
• Harmful sexual behaviour
• Extremism and radical behaviour

An abused child will often experience more than one type of abuse, as well as other difficulties in their lives. It often happens over a period of time, rather than being a one-off event. It can increasingly happen online.

Our main priority is to keep your child safe and healthy so that they can learn effectively and enjoy their school experiences.

Security

All external doors and gates have access controls or locks. This is to ensure that no-one can get into school without speaking to a member of the office team. All staff members have identity badges and visitors are asked to wear a sticker when they sign in at the school office. Anyone seen in school without identification will be challenged as to the purpose of their visit. 

DBS Checks

Anyone who works with children requires an enhanced DBS check. All staff and regular volunteers undergo an enhanced DBS check before they can work with children in the school or on visits etc. Temporary staff and contractors are checked in accordance with nationally agreed procedures. DBS checks are not always required if volunteers are with children in a supervised situation i.e. another DBS cleared adult is present, so you may find that you will be able to help without a check for a one off school visit etc.

Child Protection

All our staff have regular child protection training where they are told what to do if they have a concern. If you have a concern about a child then please talk to a member of the Safeguarding team. Child protection concerns may have to be shared with other professionals. The school has a clear Safeguarding/Child Protection Policy which can be viewed on our website.

First Aid

We have a large number of staff trained as paediatric first aiders.

Anti-Bullying

Our school has an anti-bullying policy which is available on our school website. We cannot say that bullying will never occur but we will do our best to resolve any incidents and ensure the children know who to talk to and where to find help. If you have any concerns about bullying please talk to your child’s teacher in the first instance. 

Contact Us

Please email the school office for the attention of our safeguarding team with any concerns.  

Office@woodlands.kent.sch.uk 

 

 

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How to find a Food Bank
https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/care-and-support/benefits/home-essentials-in-a-crisis/find-a-foodbank

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