Child Protection
“Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility"
Children have a right to be cared for and protected, protecting them is everyone’s responsibility.
At Steyning CofE Primary School, we have a duty of care to ensure that all users of the school are kept safe from harm. We are committed to provide a secure and supportive environment in which children can develop and grow into mature and responsible people. Safeguarding children is an essential part of our holistic approach to ensure that children are protected from abuse and neglect and that every child reaches their full potential.
The school’s staff and volunteers have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as a shared responsibility with parents and other carers. To support this statement, the school may signpost to services that are specialised to promote opportunity, prevent problems, act early and act effectively if and when concerns arise.
We cannot safeguard children alone. All children’s services agencies work in partnership with each other. There are duties and rules about information sharing but if staff, parents or carers have any concerns about a child, other parent, provider, agency or any person, they have a responsibility to report those concerns, and we must record and act on them.
We have a Steyning CofE Primary School safeguarding & child protection policy' which is underpinned by the West Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures, Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, the document Working Together to Safeguard Children and Safer Recruitment guidance. The policy applies to all children and young people regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or religion. It is a requirement that all staff, volunteers and visitors to the school are informed of these policies and practice guidance and what they should do if they have concerns. The safeguarding policy is available from the school office.
If you have any concerns about the practice of our staff team please speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Nicky Parkin or the Headteacher and Deputy Safeguarding Lead, Sue Harrison.
What you can do
Parents and carers play a role in safeguarding children in their community. If you have any concerns, no matter how small, you should report them to someone who you trust will listen. The school is required to have a designated child protection lead for this purpose. Parents and children should speak to the safeguarding lead if they have any concerns about a child or staff member.
Links for Parents/Carers:
If you think a child or young person may be in immediate danger, call 999.
Otherwise, contact West Sussex Children’s Social Care on 01403 229900 or click here
For emergencies only
If you require the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) outside of office hours (5.00pm-9.00am weekdays) or at weekends and bank holidays, please call 033 022 26664.
If the Emergency Duty Team line is unavailable and you need to report an emergency safeguarding concern, please call 07711 769657. Note that this number does not accept texts.
To Raise a concern about a child please contact https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/keeping-children-safe/raise-a-concern-about-a-child/
For the West Sussex Safeguarding Hub click here
Links for Children:
Click for Childline
