Dormanstown Primary Academy’s whole-school Child Protection Policy aims to provide clear direction to staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with child welfare concerns. The policy also aims to make explicit the school’s commitment to the development of good practice and sound procedures to keep children safe in our school. This policy recognises that abuse can occur in all communities and contexts and that all staff have a responsibility and the opportunity to support children, in sharing concerns and worries in school to feel safe. The whole school culture of vigilance in Dormanstown Primary creates a safe space where children are supported, listened to and valued in what they choose to share and that ALL staff act immediately with the necessary level of intervention to create the most effective outcome for every individual child.
The purpose of the policy is, therefore, to ensure that our children’s welfare is of paramount importance, early and additional help is offered to prevent escalation and where child protection concerns are identified referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in ways that support the needs of the child’s well-being.
If you have a concern about a child or young person within school hours (9am to 3pm), you can contact the academy on 01642 483696:
Outside of these hours, please contact the Multi Agency Children’s Hub on 01642 130700, email: RedcarMACH@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or contact the police (if necessary).
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OR WELL BEING 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 Children’s Hub 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, by reporting anything, than sorry!
Our school is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse. The Designated Safeguarding Lead has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the children in our care.
This information will be shared on academic days during term time.
Where incidents occur on a weekend or during a school holiday, the Police will contact the relevant school the following Monday / next working day.
The Children Act 2004 places a duty on agencies to share information for the purpose of child safeguarding and welfare. Information will only be shared with the school by the Police where it is identified that a young person was present at the time and is focused solely on identifying and addressing child welfare concerns.
Act Early (ACT Early | Prevent radicalisation ) This is the link to Counter Terrorism Policing PREVENT website which provides information on spotting the signs of radicalisation and how you can get safeguarding support if you think a loved one or friend is at risk. ACT Early | Prevent radicalisation
Internet Matters ( Information, Advice and Support to Keep Children Safe Online It was established to help parents keep their children safe online and provides lots of useful practical advice across a wide age range all aimed and keeping young people safe online. Information, Advice and Support to Keep Children Safe Online (internetmatters.org)
Barnardos Barnardos run specialist services for children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour or area risk of or experiencing child sexual abuse and exploitation. Believe in children | Children’s charity | Barnardo’s
Childline Childline is a free, private, and confidential service where children and young people can talk about anything either on the phone or online. Childline provides information and advice on a range of topics including nudes and semi-nudes and, with the IWF, offers Report Remove, a tool to help under 18s in reporting images and videos to get them removed from the internet. Childline also includes online safety advice for deaf children and young people. Childline | Childline
Childnet Childnet provides free online safety information, advice and educational resources for young people, professionals and parents and carers. This includes session plans on online sexual harassment, healthy relationships and the sharing of nudes and semi-nudes. Learning resources for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities(SEND) are also available. Childnet – Childnet
NCA-CEOP – Thinkuknow is the online safety education programme from the National Crime Agency. It provides information and advice for parents and carers and children and young people on sex, relationships and the internet. Thinkuknow – home
NSPCC The NSPCC provides training and guidance for professionals and advice for parents and carers across a range of child safeguarding topics. The NSPCC also provides services that work to protect children against sexual abuse and free teaching resources and lesson plans that explore healthy relationships, concerning or abusive behaviour, and sharing images online. Learning resources for children and young people with SEND are also available. NSPCC Learning home
Dormanstown Primary is committed to developing each child’s unique potential within an environment where all pupils can thrive and not only reach their best academically, but also develop a thirst...
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Dave Allan
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DNA PR and Publicity
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Email: emma.chawner@tved.org.uk
Tees Valley Education, Fulbeck Road, Netherfields, Middlesbrough, TS3 0QS.
Telephone: 01642 483696
Email: dormanstown@teesvalleyeducation.co.uk
