Safeguarding

We fully embrace the vision stated in the Church of England’s Vision for Education ‘Deeply Christian Serving the Common Good’ published in July 2016 of educating the whole person.

We incorporate this vision fully in all that we do. This is especially relevant when considering the safeguarding of our whole school community. We aim for our children and members of the wider school community to flourish in all they do and ‘live life in all its fullness’. (John 10:10) As such, we ensure that we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils and staff.

We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment, rooted in our Christian values, where all pupils are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that pupils receive effective support, protection and justice. Child protection forms a significant part of the school’s safeguarding responsibilities.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL) are:

• Mrs Andrea Gaukroger (Deputy Headteacher) DSL
• Mrs Beverly Holmes (Headteacher) DDSL

Safeguarding and CP Policy 21-22 rev Nov 21.docx

Early Help

This document tells you all you need to know about the Early Help available to you in Lancashire.

Early Help

Prevent Strategy

What is the Prevent strategy?

Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?

From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism. This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence. Importantly, we can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things we already do in our school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy.

These include:

Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity and tolerance

Challenging prejudices and racist comments

Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity

Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy.

We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, for example by using filters on the internet to make sure they can’t access extremist and terrorist material, or by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils. We will carry out our Prevent duty in different ways, depending on the age of the children and the needs of our community.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Prevent relate to British values?

Schools have been required to promote British values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent strategy. British values include:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty and mutual respect
• Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?

The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as tolerance and mutual respect. Our School will make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.

Is extremism really a risk in our area?

Extremism can take many forms, including political, religious and misogynistic extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others. We will give children the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.

KEY TERMS

Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Ideology – a set of beliefs

Terrorism – a violent action against people or property, designed to create fear and advance a political, religious or ideological cause

Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism

Operation Encompass

The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in or witness to a domestic abuse incident. Domestic abuse impacts on children a numbers of ways. Children are at increased risk of physical injury during an incident, either by accident or because they attempt to intervene. Even when not directly injured, children are greatly distressed by witnessing the physical and emotional suffering of a parent.

Operation Encompass has been created to address this situation. It is the implementation of key partnership working between the police and schools. The aim of sharing information with local schools is to allow ‘Key Adults’ the opportunity of engaging with the child and to provide access to support that allows them to remain in a safe but secure familiar environment.

Following the report of an incident of domestic abuse, by 9:00am on the next school day the school’s Key Adult will be informed that the child or young person has been involved in a domestic incident. This knowledge, given to schools through Operation Encompass, allows the provision of immediate early intervention through silent or overt support dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

At Padiham St Leonard’s our Key Adult is Mrs Andrea Gaukroger (Deputy Headteacher)

Op Encompass Awareness Letter

National Online Safety Certified School 2020-21

As you are aware, the online world is posing an ever-increasing risk to children and it is important that we work together to take an active role in teaching children about online dangers and how to act safely when using the internet.

We are therefore delighted to announce St Leonard’s C of E Primary School has shown our commitment to protecting our pupils online by taking a proactive whole school community approach to internet safety and we are now working towards achieving National Online Safety Certified Community accreditation.

National Online Safety and CEOP Think U Know

At St Leonard’s we believe in empowering parents, carers and trusted adults with the information they need to hold informed and age-appropriate conversations about online safety with their child, should they feel it is needed. Within school, all children from Reception to Year 6, are taught Digital Safety in line with the UKCCIS ‘Education for a Connected World’ framework. This is through the National Online Safety and CEOP Think U Know resources.

Every Wednesday, National Online Safety produce guides to focus on specific platforms/risks which we believe trusted adults should be aware of #WakeUpWednesday 

NSPCC Net Aware

Helping your digital explorers safely discover the online world.

Bringing together the NSPCC’s expertise in protecting children and O2’s tech know-how, we’re helping you keep your kids safe online. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re unsure of where to start, we’re here to help. O2 and NSPCC Netware

Safer Internet Centre

Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online. As a parent or carer you play a key role in helping your child to stay safe online.

You don’t need to be an expert on the internet to help keep your child stay safe online. Our advice and resources are here to support you as you support your child to use the internet safely, responsibility and positively. Safer Internet Centre.

Internet Matters

Get expert support and practical tips to help children benefit from connected technology and the internet safely and smartly. Internet Matters.

Commonsense Media

You know your kids. We know media and tech. Together we can build a digital world where our kids can thrive. Families and teachers everywhere trust Common Sense for expert reviews, objective advice, helpful tools, and so much more. Commonsense Media.