Safeguarding & Child Protection

Lyneham Primary School fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection and safeguarding. We follow the procedures set out by the Wiltshire Safeguarding Board and work within the statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2016.

Keeping children safe is our highest priority: all adults in school, both staff and volunteers need to undergo Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) checks if they work with children; we have very clear Safeguarding Procedures for staff and visitors and staff have regular Child Protection training.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr Read (Headteacher) and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs. McFarlane (School Business Manager). Mrs Maslin and Mrs Davies our Assistant Headteachers are also qualified safeguarding leads.

The Child Protection Governor is Mr Dan Alexander.

We consistently rate as ‘outstanding’ in the Local Authority Safeguarding Audit and Ofsted has recognised our high safeguarding standards.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding can be defined by promoting the health, safety and welfare of all pupils. Safeguarding is the responsibility of all adults, especially those working or volunteering with children. Lyneham Primary School aims to help to protect the children in its care by working consistently and appropriately with all relevant agencies to reduce risk and promote the welfare of children.

We rely on support from parents and carers to keep children safe on and around the school site, by following our site safety policies. We maintain an open door policy and encourage members of the school community to report any concerns about safety, so that we can address them promptly.

What is child protection?

Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. But Child Protection refers to activity we undertake, often along with other agencies, to protect specific children who are suffering, or at risk of suffering, significant harm.

ENCOMPASS

The school is part of a pilot project with Wiltshire Police whereby the school is informed, by the next school day, when a child or young person from that school has been affected by a domestic violence incident.

ENCOMPASS ensures that information is shared in strictest confidence with a Key Adult, while ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been involved in, affected or exposed to a domestic abuse incident. The Key Adult in Lyneham Primary School is Mrs McFarlane, the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

We are keen to offer the best possible support to all our pupils and we believe that this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.