Pastoral Care

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Lucy Ledbrooke

Email: LLedbrooke@SouthfieldsPrimary.org / Pastoral@SouthfieldsPrimary.org

Safeguarding

Southfields Primary School takes the wellbeing of the children and their parents extremely seriously. If a child or parent needs to share any matters of a safeguarding or wellbeing nature they can do so by emailing the address above.

At Southfields Primary we are proud of the support we are able to offer to families and the community. We have a team of dedicated workers ensuring that we are able to overcome any barriers to learning. Just some of the ways that we have helped include: 

• being a school where the well-being of everyone is the prime concern of each member of our community
• supporting a learning community in which children, young people and adults can realise their full potential
• providing a safe, stimulating and enriching environment where everyone is able to enjoy his/her best possible health and well-being
• encouraging pupils to grow up to be responsible, active members of their community
• promoting emotional intelligence
• promoting regular attendance and good behaviour as pre-conditions for maintaining high standards of achievement
• each child being encouraged to develop his/her own individuality whilst learning also that personal freedom involves responsibility to others
• promoting a values-based PSHE curriculum which helps to give a firm moral basis in these times when so many attitudes, beliefs and ethics are questioned daily
• providing equal opportunities for all pupils regardless of ability, religion, race, culture or gender
• encouraging tolerance and understanding between all members of our community
• a clear understanding that effort, kindness and good manners will be valued
• developing an understanding of being responsible for oneself
• fostering the kind of community where everyone helps each other and looks after our environment

Southfields Community Primary School fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect children and support pupils in school.  We aim to safeguard and promote our pupils’ welfare, safety and health by fostering an honest, open, caring and supportive climate.  The pupils’ welfare is of paramount importance.

Our school Child Protection policy (based on Local Authority guidance) outlines the procedures followed in school to safeguard children. 

All members of staff have undergone DBS and List 99 checks and are trained regularly in Child Protection issues. We also ensure that any volunteers working with children undergo the vetting procedures outlined above.

Staff at the school work in partnership with other agencies such as the health authority, social services and the police.

There may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies before we contact you. The procedures that we have to follow have been laid down in accordance with the local authority Child protection procedures. 

Click here for our Safeguarding policies

Extremism & Sextortion video

Safeguarding documents

• Are you worried about a child young person or their family download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineAre you worried about a child young person or their family

For the visitors Safeguarding leaflet see our Visitors to School page

National Online Safety mobile app

Photography

At the start of the school year, parents and carers will be issued with a data capture document. This details how the school may use digital images and videos within school, on our social media, website and in the local newspapers. Parents are invited to state clearly if they do not wish their child to feature in publicity materials.

In line with DCSF guidance, the school may decide whether or not to permit the filming of school events. We believe that it is appropriate for parents and carers to record assemblies, performances etc.

• Parents and carers will be allowed to record images.
• Parents will be informed that photography is strictly for personal use only.
• Parents are requested not to restrict the view of other people.
• The school will ensure that children are dressed appropriately.
• The school will monitor the use of cameras and anyone behaving inappropriately.

Safety and Security

Southfields Community Primary School benefits from a very secure site. We are surrounded by a security fence and restricted access via locked gates. Should parents or guardians need to gain access to the building during the school day, they may do so via the front office.

Signing In: 

Every visitor coming into Southfields Primary MUST report to the main reception and sign in where you will be given a visitors sticker and a lanyard.

Behaviour:

Southfields Primary School will not tolerate verbal or physical aggression towards its staff or pupils. This type of behaviour will result in removal, a ban from the school grounds, and possible prosecution.

Fire Safety:

You must make yourself aware of all ’Emergency Exits’ located and signposted across the school. Upon hearing the ’Fire Alarm’ you must exit from the nearest Emergency Exit and look for an Assembly Point.

DO NOT stop to pick up personal belongings.

DO NOT re-enter the building until you are advised it is safe to do so.

No Smoking:

Southfields Primary School operates a non-smoking policy, this includes the grounds as well as the buildings.

Protective Behaviours

We want to ensure that all our children and young people have the best possible start in life, so that they grow up happy, healthy and safe. However we also know that there are children  whose daily lives are negatively affected by a range of experiences and abuse who need our help and support.  The aim of this innovative 'Feeling Good Feeling Safe' prevention programme is to support schools to effectively develop all children's skill's to keep safe, to be resilient and to seek help if they need it.

‘Feeling Good, Feeling Safe’ is a whole school approach to preventing violence and abuse which aims to support pupils from Reception to Year 6.

‘Feeling Good, Feeling Safe’ is based on two key messages:

• We all have the right to feel safe all of the time
• We can talk with someone about anything, even if it feels awful or small.

Below are the four Key Protective Behaviours ideas that your child/children will be taught during each lesson:

Learning Outcomes By Theme

• Protective Behaviours at Southfields download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineProtective Behaviours at Southfields

NSPCC - PANTS

Talk PANTS is here to help you have a simple but important conversation with your child to help keep them safe from sexual abuse. From P through to S, each letter provides a simple but valuable message that can help children understand their body belongs to them, and they should tell someone they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried. You’ve probably already talked to them about things like crossing the road safely. Having this conversation can feel just as natural, and be just as easy.

An important conversation to have Of course, no parent ever wants to think their child will be affected by sexual abuse. But that’s exactly why it’s vital you have this conversation. We also understand that talking about this topic might feel difficult. But it doesn’t have to be. Talk PANTS has been created specifically – with the help of parents and professionals – to make sure these conversations are easy and appropriate for children as young as three.

Talk PANTS never mentions sex. We know you might feel your child is too young to talk about sex and that’s why Talk PANTS never mentions it. Our messages for children are practical, reassuring and age-appropriate. These messages help children understand their body belongs to them and they have a right to say no. Children are encouraged to tell a safe adult who they trust if anything happens that makes them worried or upset. They also let children know if anything happens that makes them feel that way, it’s never their fault. You’ve probably already talked to them about things like crossing the road safely. Having this conversation can feel just as natural, and be just as easy. We never use scary words. Talking PANTS is about using simple, child-friendly language to give your child the confidence and knowledge to understand what is and isn’t OK.

 Safeguarding Champions

 

Schools play a crucial role in safeguarding children. As they’re in almost constant contact with children and young people throughout the majority of the year, they’re in the best position to identify any signs of maltreatment, abuse and neglect.

As a school we aim to involve children in all aspects of school life. We decided to enhance our Safeguarding team with some of our wonderful pupils.

Here, at Southfields Primary School, 6 children completed a selection process and have been awarded the role of Safeguarding Champions. We believe in offering children real-life scenarios that will prepare them for their future lives as young adults. 

Research has shown that some children find it easier to speak initially to another child, rather than an adult about things that are worrying them. This could be about friendships, school work and other bigger worries.

The Safeguarding Champions also support children to keep safe throughout the year, focusing on themed topics such as Bonfire Safety, Bullying, Online Safety to name but a few.

The successful candidates are a representation of the Year 5 cohort but their role has coverage across the whole school.  The Safeguarding  Champions are expected to uphold the highest expectations for behaviour and attitude as outlined in school policies.

The Safeguarding Champions can be identified by their custom made Lanyards.