Safeguarding

Safeguarding

St John’s CE Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment. Our aim is for children to enjoy their time as pupils at St John’s and feel safe and secure in the environment. We work in partnership with all parents, carers and external agencies to help every child achieve their full potential and make a positive contribution to the school community. Every child should feel protected, valued and able to thrive. 

Government guidance says that safeguarding is:

• Protecting children from maltreatment.
• Preventing impairment of children’s health and development.
• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
• Taking action to ensure all children have the right to reach their full potential.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection is Mrs N. Galloway (Headteacher) and she can be contacted either on 01253 807495 or at safeguarding@st-john.blackpool.sch.uk.

Mrs Galloway is supported by the following Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: 

• Deputy Headteacher - Ms A. Johnston
• Assistant Headteacher - Mr D. Giles
• SENDCo - Mr M. Corser
• Children & Families Engagement Manager - Mrs. K. Taylor

Every member of the safeguarding team has received appropriate training for their roles and all St John’s staff members receive Child Protection training and updates on a regular basis.

We have safeguarding procedures in place and a Safeguarding Policy which we adhere to. Please see the Safeguarding Policy below. If you would like more information regarding our procedures, please contact Mrs N. Galloway or one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Occasions do arise where we have concerns regarding a child’s welfare. We will always aim to discuss our concerns with parents and carers first, however on some occasions we may need to share information and work in partnership with Blackpool Children’s Services. 

In order to promote a safe environment for pupils, St John’s adheres to DfE’s Safer Recruitment guidance and staff involved in recruitment have all completed the appropriate safer recruitment training. 

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Early Help

At St John’s we take time to work alongside our families. If you, your child or family would benefit from extra support with your well-being, or if you are worried about a difficult situation in your family you can contact us for support. You might benefit from Early Help.

What is Early Help?

Early Help is providing support to children, young people and their families as soon as problems start.  When a child, young person or the family need some extra support, Early Help is often the first response offered by those services in contact with them.  It can be required at any stage in a child's life, from pre-birth to adulthood, and applies to any problem or need that the family can't deal with alone.  

Your family's Early Help Assessment is available to all practitioners and professionals working with children, young people and their families across Blackpool.  Working alongside families from a holistic, strength-based approach when areas of support are first identified will stop escalation towards crisis and the need for more intensive and specialist intervention.

If you would like some advice and support, speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads and we can discuss what support is available.

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Pan Lancashire Operation Encompass

St John’s C of E Primary School participates in Operation Encompass.

Following the report of an incident, school will be advised that the child has been involved.

The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people and to ensure that schools have timely information about all police attended incidents of domestic abuse, no matter where in the world the child lives.

Operation Encompass has been created to address such situations that create a safeguarding risk to young people.  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.

Prevent

We actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism. We teach children to value diversity, respect others, and think critically about the information they encounter. 

Through our curriculum, assemblies, and safeguarding procedures, we work to protect pupils from extremism and radicalisation while fostering the British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect.

It can be hard to know what to do if you’re worried someone close is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could lead to them harming themselves or others. Should you have any concerns about a child at St John’s C of E Primary School please speak to a member of school staff immediately.