Safeguarding

Safeguarding 

"School leaders have created an ethos and culture which ensures that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and central to the life of the school ". Ofsted 2020

"The school's very effective safeguarding practice is a testament to the drive and passion of the SLT, school staff and governors." Imelda Spencer Independent Safeguarding Trainer and consultant June 2023

At Rock Ferry Primary School we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and wellbeing of our pupils and we expect all staff, governors and volunteers to share this commitment. We believe that pupils have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment, which includes the right to protection from all types of abuse. At Rock Ferry , staff are vigilant for all signs of any pupil in distress and are confident about applying safeguarding processes .

Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe form harm, safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment and that we all feel safe in our environment.

If you are ever concerned about the safety or wellbeing of someone in our school please talk to one of the school’s safeguarding team.

Ms Radley- Designated Safeguarding Lead

Miss  Drysdale -Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Booth- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead 

Mrs Henriksen - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

At Rock Ferry we listen to our pupils and we take anything they tell us very seriously. All school staff are trained at least annually in safeguarding processes and procedures, and children are made aware that they can talk to any adult in school if they have any worries or concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of abuse or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately. We also use a system in school called CPOMS which enables us to log incidents and concerns.

The procedures we follow have been set out by the Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership and we take account of all guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE). The school has adopted a robust Safeguarding Policy which is available at the bottom of this page or you can request a paper copy.

Our first priority is your child’s welfare and school is required to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of its pupils. There may be times when we have reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse and we will ensure that these concerns are discussed with the child’s parents or carers in the first instance, unless we have reason to believe that such a conversation would be contrary to the child’s welfare. In such a case, the school is required to follow the Child Protection procedures established by the Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership and inform the Integrated Front Door of the concern.

If a member of staff has concerns which relate to the actions or behaviour of another member of staff (which could suggest they are unsuitable to work with children) then they must report this to the Headteacher who will seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).

We endeavour to maintain an ethos in school where children feel secure and where they are encouraged to talk and are listened to. Through the curriculum, opportunities are created to equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from harm.

Safeguarding Curriculum

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do here at Rock Ferry. Great importance is placed on identifying opportunities in the taught curriculum for children to learn about safeguarding. This has been recognised by Ofsted and external safeguarding reviews:

Our broad curriculum gives pupils opportunities to experience life in all its diversity, to acquire knowledge, understanding, and skills that significantly impact personal development, behaviour, and welfare, and equips every child with the knowledge and skills required for personal safeguarding.

Our curriculum covers all areas of Safeguarding including; anti-bullying, online safety, drugs and unhealthy behaviours, road safety, SRE, British values and keeping safe.  We are sensitive in our teaching and recognise that some more sensitive subjects need to be taught at an age-appropriate level, or at a small group or 1:1 level where a more urgent need arises.

We plan to constantly challenge children to think deeply about safeguarding matters and their own personal physical and mental wellbeing. We value pupils’ questions and give them space for their own thoughts, ideas, and concerns.

We give pupils’ opportunities across the curriculum to explore values, personal rights, responsibilities, and equal opportunities that develop moral concepts that impact positively on safeguarding, promote British values and prevent radicalisation and extremism. There are many opportunities throughout our learning in school to explore safeguarding issues.

Practical safeguarding opportunities are planned into the curriculum, more information about which can be found in our PSHE / SRE and SMSC curriculum

Behaviour and Attitudes Our approach to behaviour and the culture of the school is tightly linked to our approach to safeguarding.     

 

"Much high praise must be given to the school SLT, staff and governors for the Restorative Behaviour Policy, and the Attachment and Trauma informed practice- the school ethos and practice is fully evident in the strong, honest, and respectful relationships that have formed both between the pupils, and between the pupils and the staff. The school should be viewed as a vanguard of excellent practice in the areas and should be celebrated on the Wirral.

Imelda Spencer Positive Resolutions Plus-Independent Safeguarding Review 2023

Relationships are key and our ethos and behaviour policy is embeded in restorative follow up and Trauma Informed Approaches. Rock Ferry is committed to developing an ethos of Crew Culture where every body has responsibility and there are no passengers. 

Read more about Crew culture and EL education here https://eleducation.org/crew

Operation Encompass

At Rock Ferry Primary School, we are committed to providing the very best support and care for our children. 

Operation Encompass is an initiative to safeguard and support children in education where domestic violence occurs in their home and was originally launched in 2011.  All Wirral schools participate in the scheme which is run in partnership with Merseyside Police. 

 Following a domestic violence incident attended by Merseyside Police, at which children from our school were present, Merseyside Police will notify one of our trained Key Adults prior to the start of the next school day.  This enables us to provide the most effective support for our children. 

The trained KEY ADULTS at Rock Ferry Primary school are:

• Mrs Booth

• Ms Drysdale

 

At Rock Ferry Primary School we actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism. For more information about Prevent click here here

Early Help

Early Help means taking action as soon as a problem emerges. It can be required at any stage in a child’s life from pre-birth to adolescence and applies to any problem or need that the family can’t deal with alone. Early Help means better outcomes for children and families. Effective Early Help will resolve problems before they become overwhelming.

We understand just how complicated family life can be. From time to time there may be situations where you need some extra help and support. If things aren’t right at home then please come and talk to us. We can help in many different ways. Rock Ferry works hard to provide Early Help to those children and families in the school community who need support to assist them at a difficult time in their life.

As an alternative to seeking help from school, Wirral have launched the Wirral Family Toolbox - a useful resource for parents and carers to seek out advice and support for themselves. Click here to take a look.

The NSPCC website also contains useful help and advice for parents. Click here.

 

 

SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

If a child or young person is at risk of harm, abuse or neglect then please report it to the Wirral Integrated Front Door 0151 606 2008. This line is open Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm. Outside of these times please phone the Emergency Duty Team on 0151 677 6557. In an emergency, always dial 999.