Safeguarding and Child Protection

At Norwood Primary School the health, safety and well-being of every child is our top priority. We expect all staff, governors, parents and volunteers to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils.

We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection, and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns.

Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

The procedures which we follow have been laid down by the  and the school has adopted a Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy in line with this, for the safety of all.  This is available on the Policies section of this page. On rare occasions our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed with parent/carers first, before any referrals are made, unless we believe that such a move may be contrary to a child’s welfare.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Trisha Bennet (Deputy Head Teacher).

The Additional Safeguarding Leads are Mr Lee Dumbell (Head Teacher) and Mrs Kim Taylor (Pastoral Leader).

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy which is available below.

We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism. 

If you are concerned about the safety of a child, you can email the DSL on [email protected]. 

PREVENT

From 1 July 2015 all schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of their functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the

The Prevent Duty : what it means for schools

In order for schools and childcare providers to fulfil the Prevent duty, it is essential that staff are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified. Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is seen as part of our wider safeguarding duties at Norwood Primary School, and is similar in nature to protecting children from other harms (e.g. drugs, gangs, neglect, sexual exploitation), whether these come from within their family or are the product of outside influences.

The staff work to build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views. It is important to emphasise that the Prevent duty is not intended to stop pupils debating controversial issues. On the contrary, schools should provide a safe space in which children, young people and staff can understand the risks associated with terrorism and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge extremist arguments. For early years childcare providers, the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage sets standards for learning, development and care for children from 0-5, thereby assisting their personal, social and emotional development and understanding of the world.

Operation Encompass - Supporting our children and families

Here at Norwood Primary School, we are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all our children. As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, we participate in Operation Encompass, a national initiative that helps schools support children who may be affected by domestic abuse.

What is Operation Encompass?

Operation Encompass is a partnership between schools and the police, designed to provide early intervention and support for children experiencing domestic abuse at home. When the police attend an incident of domestic abuse where children are present, they will share this information with the child’s school before the next school day.

How Does It Help?

Receiving this information allows our safeguarding team to:
✔️ Provide immediate emotional support.
✔️ Monitor and respond to the child's wellbeing.
✔️ Offer additional pastoral care as needed.
✔️ Work with families and external agencies to ensure the child feels safe and supported.

Confidentiality and Sensitivity

All information shared through Operation Encompass is treated with the utmost confidentiality. Only key safeguarding staff within the school are informed, and support is offered in a discreet and appropriate manner to ensure the child feels safe and cared for.

Our Commitment

At Norwood, we believe every child has the right to feel secure and valued. By working with Operation Encompass, we can take immediate and effective action to support any children who are affected by domestic abuse.

If you have any questions about Operation Encompass or safeguarding at our school, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Mrs. Bennet [email protected]

https://www.operationencompass.org/