Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. School staff are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating. Schools and their staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children working with social care, the police and health services both to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

Safeguarding children permeates all aspects of our work as a school, with a preventative role to inform and boost the resilience of all students by enhancing protective factors in their lives. Accordingly, this policy links with many other related policies in school:

• School Behaviour policy
• Whole-school Anti-bullying policy, including cyber-bullying
• Health and Safety policies
• Medication in school
• Intimate care policy
• School visits including risk-assessments
• ICT/ online safety
• SEN/ CiC
• Equal Opportunities

Children are encouraged to express and discuss their ideas, thoughts and feelings through a variety of activities and have access to a range of cultural opportunities which promote respect and empathy for others. As part of our new Prevent duty under s.26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 we are aware of the importance of building childrens’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views.  Schools can build childrens’ resilience to radicalisation by providing a safe environment for debating controversial issues and helping children and young people understand how they can influence and participate in decision making.

We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe; however, the 'Designated Safeguarding Leads' are as follows:

Our designated safeguarding lead is Mrs C Ferguson (Headteacher) 

We have two deputy designated safeguarding leads:

• Mrs C Nattrass (Deputy Headteacher)
• Miss E Timlin (N2 Teacher)

Procedure

• If a concern is raised regarding a child the designated safeguarding lead is informed immediately and a ‘Safeguarding Incident Report Form’ is completed. The decision of the next step is then made and recorded.
• If a concern is raised regarding a member of staff this must be given to the Headteacher
• If a concern is raised regarding the Headteacher this must be given to the Chair of Governors
• All of these concerns are taken very seriously and correct procedures are followed as stated in our 'Safeguarding Keeping Children Safe in School 2024' which can be found on our Policies page.

Further information

If you would like further information on Safeguarding please read our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy, found on our policies page.

Visitors to Langley Moor Nursery School 

All visitors are expected to sign into school and will be given a badge to identify them as a visitor.

Visitors are required to read the visitors information. 

Recruitment at Langley Moor Nursery School

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any offer of employment is subject to receipt of a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure and a minimum of two satisfactory references.

We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible.  Ongoing checks and ‘whistle blowing’ are in line with the current policy.

Mrs Ferguson and Mrs Millard, our Chair of Governor's, have completed Safer Recruitment Training.

All DBS checks are renewed on a continuous cycle.

Some posts within school are subject to the Childcare Disqualifications Regulations 2009 and therefore applicants to these posts are required to complete the “disqualification by association” declaration form.

Please refer to our Safer Recruitment Policy for further information.

Information Sharing

We have an obligation to obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to school, including:

• emergency contact numbers;
• the child’s special dietary requirements, preferences or food allergies the child may have;
• the child’s special health requirements;
• information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child.

PARENTS & CARERS MUST TELL US OF ANY CHANGES TO THESE DETAILS

We take confidentiality very seriously.  Any information which we hold is treated as confidential and shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.

Links with External Agencies

Because our first concern must be the well-being of your child, there may be occasions when we have to consult with other agencies before we contact you.  The procedures we have to follow have been laid down in accordance with the local authority child protection procedures.

We are fortunate to be supported by a range of external agencies which can be called upon to support the work we do in school.  These include School Nurse, Health Practitioners, Educational Psychology, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Social Services and Specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs.

Reporting Concerns or Complaints

Further to the above procedures, we have in place a concerns and complaints policy.  This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern.

Concerns should be raised in the following order:

1. To the Class Teacher.  Then, if no resolution;
2. To the Head Teacher.  Then, if no resolution;
3. To the Chair of Governors.  Then, if no resolution;
4. To the Local Authority.

Contact details are available from the school office and the policy is available on the website. 

Review of Policy and Practice

In order to ensure that best practice is maintained our polices are reviewed regularly to incorporate the latest statutory guidance.

If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact the school for all our policies or view our policies section on our website.