Safeguarding
Dean Church of England Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead - Donna Hawley (Head of School)
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads - Jo Laker (Executive Headteacher) & Lindsay Rigby (SENCO)
- LGB Members with responsibility for safeguarding - Carly Muldoon and Charlotte Thompson
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be viewed in our policies.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies, when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.
We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.
Our school concerns form is available at the bottom of this page.
The Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership can be reached here.
If you have concerns about a child you can find help and advice here.
Operation Encompass:
Our school has been given the opportunity to take part in a new project that will run in partnership between Cumbria County Council, Cumbria’s Local Children’s Safeguarding Hub, and Cumbria Police. The project, Operation Encompass, has been designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school hours and might have an impact on a child attending school the following day.
The information will be shared on school days during the school term and, when incidents occur over the weekend, Sandra Glassford, the Operation Encompass Designated Officer, will contact the relevant school at the earliest opportunity after the information has been shared by the police.
A nominated member of school staff, known as a Key Adult, has been trained to liaise with Sandra Glassford. School staff will be able to use information that has been shared with them, in confidence, to ensure that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children or their families. Information will be shared, on a needs-to-know basis only, where it is identified that a child or young person was present, witnessed, or was involved in a domestic abuse incident.
We are keen to offer the best possible responses for all children across Cumbria, and believe that Operation Encompass is going to be beneficial and supportive for all those involved.
Prevent Duty:
The Prevent duty became law in 2015-it relates to the Counter Terrorism and Security Act. It places the responsibility on all schools to have regard for preventing children being drawn into terrorism or extremist views. At Dean CE Primary School, we protect the children in our care by being alert to any reason for concern in the child's life at home or elsewhere. We promote British values embed this throughout our curriculum, focusing on Mutual Respect, Tolerance, Democracy. Liberty and the Rule of Law. If you are worried about an organisation or suspect extremism-helpline: 0800 789321 prevent@cumbria.police.uk
Equality Statement
Some children have an increased risk of abuse, and additional barriers can exist for some children with respect to recognising or disclosing it. We are committed to anti-discriminatory practice and recognise children’s diverse circumstances. We ensure that all children have the same protection, regardless of any barriers they may face.
We give special consideration to children who:
- Have special educational needs or disabilities
- Are young carers
- May experience discrimination due to their race, ethnicity, religion, gender identification or sexuality
- Have English as an additional language
- Are known to be living in difficult situations – for example, temporary accommodation or where there are issues such as substance abuse or domestic violence
- Are at risk of FGM, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, or radicalisation
- Are asylum seekers
Photographs and Videos
Whilst lots of parents and carers really enjoy seeing photos and videos of their children’s school life we are very mindful of our duty of care towards all our pupils. We take the issue of safeguarding very seriously and this includes the use of photographic and video images.
Any photographs or videos taken by parents, carers and relatives at school productions, sports days or other events are for the enjoyment of individual families. They must not be used in any way that could potentially place a child at risk. This would include publishing images in any form of print or on the internet including social networking sites. This is emphasised before concerts and shows etc.
We understand that there are circumstances when a parent or carer may not wish their child to be photographed or videoed in this way. If this is the case then please contact the headteacher to discuss how this can be best achieved.
Occasionally, the local press will be invited to take photographs of school events and special achievements. We like to use photographs of our children on our website, in school documents, for parent information meetings, newsletters etc. We will seek permission before we use images in this way.