Safeguarding & Child Protection

At Stanford Junior & Infant School we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

We will be alert to signs of abuse and neglect and we will follow our procedures and policies to ensure that children receive effective support and protection.

What do I do if I have a concern about the safety, care or welfare of a child or young person?

If you have a concern about a child or young person, you can contact our designated safeguarding leaders Mrs Smith (Deputy Head) or Mrs Mrs Hackfath (Head Teacher). However please speak to any member of staff if you have a concern you think needs sharing as they will inform the relevant person.
Or you can:

  • Contact the MASH ( Multi Agency Safeguarding HUb) or Children’s Assessment & Safeguarding Service  (CASS) on 01472 326292 (currently) Option 2
  • Report a concern online via NE Lincs Safeguarding Children Partnership website
  • Contact the police on 101 or 999 if in an emergency.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OR WELLBEING OF ANY CHILD YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD ACT WITHOUT DELAY.

Many people worry that their concerns or suspicions may be wrong or that they are interfering unnecessarily or that someone else might report it. Our advice would be to report in any case to the school or to the MASH / CASS team where they can give advice and the professionals can process the information you have.

Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility and it is always better to be safe and report a concern, as your information may be part of a much bigger picture.

PANTS - The Underwear rule.

The NSPCC has a great website full of useful guides and topics.

One area we promote in school is PANTS - The Underwear rule. 

Talking PANTS teaches children important messages, like their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they're upset or worried. Read more by following the link or downloading one of the handy guides.

NSPCC Underwear Rule website

Guide for Children

Guide for Parents

Guide Foster Parents

Click CEOP - Internet Safety

CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to CEOP, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the Click CEOP button.

If you are experiencing online bullying or something else online has worried you please speak to an adult you trust, or you can talk to Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.

Safeguarding Newsletter

Violence Against Women And Girls Advisory Group

Humberside Police have started a Violence Against Women And Girls Advisory Group, and are looking for interested volunteers to participate. This could be family members, friends, colleagues, community members or yourself. The group will be going live on the 2nd December and the first meeting is at Melton Police Station at 6:30pm, and there is also a dial in option. 

If you would like to be part of this group or know someone else who would, please reply to Daniel Goodman to get the  invite and link.

Domestic Abuse - Boots

Boots are making their pharmacy consultation rooms safe spaces for victims of Domestic Abuse. Find out more

We keep children safe by:
  • Having an up to date child protection policy.
  • Check the suitability of all our staff and volunteers that regularly work with children through stringent checking procedures.
  • Have an open door policy where concerns can be shared in confidence.
  • Ensure all our staff have up to date child protection and safeguarding training.
  • Share information with appropriate agencies if we have concerns.
    Have three identified members of staff who have responsibility for safeguarding.

Helplines

What are the signs of child abuse?

No parent ever wants to think about the possibility of their child (or any child) becoming a victim of abuse, and most children never have to experience this. Even so, it is important for parents to be aware of the possibility and to know that help is available if the unthinkable happens. If you notice anything that concerns you, talk to your child to see if you can find out what is happening.

Remember, if your child is being harmed in any way, they may be too frightened or reluctant to talk to you. If your child becomes distressed or you are not happy with the explanations, you could talk to an adult you trust or call a helpline or children’s services for advice.

Staff in school will always be at hand if you wanted to discuss your concerns.

Some signs to look out for are:

  • Bruises or other injuries;
  • A change in behaviour – from quiet to loud, or from happy to withdrawn;
  • Pain or discomfort;
  • Fear of a particular person, or a reluctance to be alone with them;
  • Secrecy around a relationship with a particular person;
  • Reluctance to discuss where they go, or who they are with;
  • Sexual talk or knowledge beyond their years;
  • Being watchful, or always on edge, losing interest in their appearance, hobbies or family life;
  • Alcohol or drug taking;
  • Having money and refusing to say where it has come from;
  • Wetting the bed;
  • Becoming clingy.
Types of Abuse

There are many types of abuse. These include physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.

Physical Abuse:

Physical abuse is deliberately hurting a child causing injuries such as bruises, broken bones, burns or cuts.

It isn’t accidental – children who are physically abused suffer violence such as being hit, kicked, poisoned, burned, slapped or having objects thrown at them. Shaking or hitting babies can cause non-accidental head injuries (NAHI). Sometimes parents or carers will make up or cause the symptoms of illness in their child, perhaps giving them medicine they don’t need and making the child unwell this is known as fabricated or induced illness (FII) (previously commonly referred to as Münchhausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSbP)).  There is no excuse for physically abusing a child. It causes serious, and often long-lasting harm and, in severe cases, death.

Emotional Abuse:

Emotional abuse is the on-going emotional maltreatment or emotional neglect of a child. It’s sometimes called psychological abuse and can seriously damage a child emotional health and development.
Emotional abuse can involve deliberately trying to scare or humiliate a child or isolating or ignoring them. Children who are emotionally abused are usually suffering another type of abuse or neglect at the same time but this isn’t always the case.

Sexual Abuse:

A child is sexually abused when they are forced or persuaded to take part in sexual activities. This doesn’t have to be physical contact and it can happen online. Sometimes the child won’t understand that what’s happening to them is abuse. They may not even understand that it’s wrong.

Neglect:

Neglect is the on-going failure to meet a child’s basic needs and is the most common form of child abuse. A child may be left hungry or dirty, without adequate clothing, shelter, supervision, medical or health care. A child may be put in danger or not protected from physical or emotional harm. They may not get the love, care and attention they need from their parents.

A child who’s neglected will often suffer from other abuse as well. Neglect is dangerous and can cause serious, long-term damage – even death.
There are many other types of abuse. Visit the NSPCC website for more information.

Prevent Duty Statement 

On 1 July 2015 the Prevent duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities and schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

Stanford Junior and Infants School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is as important as safeguarding against any other vulnerability.

All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We believe that children should be given the opportunity to explore diversity and understand Britain as a multi-cultural society; everyone should be treated with respect whatever their race, gender, sexuality, religious belief, special need, or disability. 

As part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government's Prevent Strategy and endeavour to uphold its principles throughout the teaching of all subjects.

FGM, Female Circumcision and Cutting

It has been estimated that over 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK each year, and that 66,000 women in the UK are living with the consequences of FGM. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a growing cause of concern in schools.

FGM is child abuse and a form of violence against women and girls, and therefore it is dealt with as part of existing child and adult safeguarding/protection structures, policies and procedures. It is illegal in the UK to subject a child to female genital mutilation (FGM) or to take a child abroad to undergo the procedure – Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. Despite the harm it causes, FGM practicing communities consider it normal to protect their cultural identity. The age at which girls are subject to FGM varies greatly from shortly after birth to any time up to adulthood. The average age is 10 to 12 years.

Any female child born to a woman or has a sister who has been subjected to FGM will be considered to be at risk, as much as other female children in the extended family. Any information or concern that a child is at risk of FGM will result in a child protection referral to Multi Agency Support Hub.

Activities

#speakoutstaysafe

This week our upper key stage 2 children enjoyed a workshop from the NSPCC, thinking about how they can #speakoutstaysafe 💛💙