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At Chantry Community Primary School, we are fully committed to the safeguarding of our children. It is important that children feel safe and supported so that they can achieve their full potential.
All staff at Chantry Community Primary School, regardless of their role, recognise that safeguarding is the statutory duty of all staff. As such, we will:
- Provide a safe environment for children
- Identify children who may need additional help and/or may be suffering harm
- Take appropriate action to protect and help children.
Safeguarding is the term used to prevent harm, keep children safe and promote their wellbeing.
Safeguarding Team
In school we have a dedicated team which deal specifically with child protection matters. The members are:
| A Watson Deputy Head Teacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) dawka022@chantryprimary.co.uk | K Duncan Headteacher & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) office@chantryprimary.co.uk | L Ernst Family Liaison Officer & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) ernsl003@chantryprimary.co.uk |
| S Tindi Senco & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) sshikangatindi@chantryprimary.co.uk | R Ward Assistant Headteacher & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) wardr179@chantryprimary.co.uk | J Brooke Chair of Governors Designated Safeguarding Governor office@chantryprimary.co.uk |
Safeguarding and visitors to the school
Chantry staff have red lanyards. These are safe adults.
‘Green is go’ – This visitor can be unaccompanied in our school.
‘Yellow is no’ – This visitor must be accompanied by a Chantry staff member.
All Chantry school staff wear a red lanyard printed with ‘Chantry Community Primary School’ in white text.
Upon arrival at the school, visitors are required to sign in at Reception. They must then wear a coloured lanyard with their photo ID sticker (that must be visible at all times).
Visitors are either given a green or yellow lanyard. Green lanyards mean that they have the appropriate checks and able to work with children unaccompanied.
Yellow lanyards mean that visitors must be collected from Reception and accompanied by a designated member of staff at all times. A Chantry member of staff must be present for all interactions with children.
On departure, visitors must sign out and return their lanyards to Reception before leaving the premises.
Useful Contacts
KENT’S (CHILDREN’S SERVICES) DUTY TEAM
If you think the child is at immediate risk of harm phone them straightaway:
- Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm
call: 03000 41 11 11
email: social.services@kent.go.uk
text relay: 18001 03000 41 11 11 - Out of hours on 03000 419 191
IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 999
To report a crime to Police (non-emergency) call 101.
EARLY HELP
The aim of Early Help in Kent is to ensure that children and families that need extra help have one lead person who they can tell their story to. This means you will not have to keep telling different people.
This lead person will carry out a family assessment to develop a plan of action and interventions needed to meet the aims of your family.
Kent Family Hub – Kent County Council
OPERATION ENCOMPASS
The aim of Operation Encompass is to support families who have experienced domestic Abuse. Operation Encompass is a national safeguarding partnership between the Police and Schools. It involves the Police reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next day, when a child has been exposed to, or involved in, any domestic abuse incident. This enables one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads to offer immediate support to a child who has been affected by this.
Children were recognised as victims of the Domestic Abuse in their own right in the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act. Domestic abuse has been identified as an adverse childhood experience and can lead to emotional, physical and psychological harm. If you feel you are affected by Domestic Abuse or need support, we are here to help. Any information provided will be managed with the highest level of security and confidentiality, and full accordance with GDPR.
HELPLINE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN SCHOOLS
Sexual abuse in any form is unacceptable.
A dedicated helpline is now open to support anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse.
The helpline is run by the NSPCC and will provide victims of abuse with the appropriate support, advice, and onward action, including contacting professionals or the Police if they wish. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals too.
Telephone 0800 136 663, or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
More information can be found at:
Helpline for people who have experienced sexual abuse in education settings launched | NSPCC Learning
LOCAL AUTHORITY DESIGNATED OFFICER (LADO)
Every Local Authority is required to have a LADO whose responsibility it is to provide advice and guidance to individuals who have concerns about the behaviour of an adult who works with children and young people. If you wish to raise a concern about a professional working with children, please email:
kentchildrenslado@kent.gov.uk
USEFUL LINKS FOR CONCERNS
Types of Child Abuse & How to Prevent Them | NSPCC
The NSPCC gives key information of different types of abuse and recognising signs. It also allows you to report your concerns and what to do to keep children safe.
Reporting child abuse and neglect | NSPCC
Direct links to reporting concerns to the NSPCC, whistleblowing advice and dedicated helplines for specific needs.
Safeguarding children and child protection | NSPCC Learning
Additional detail on what safeguarding is, working with multi agencies such as Early Help and Child Services.
Childline | Childline
Advice for children who are concerned about themselves or others. This can be done via the phone for free on 0800 1111 or message boards online.
Report Remove: Remove a nude image shared online | Childline
If you are worried that an image is being shared online and posted. Please use the above link and Childline will talk you through the steps in how to report. All age groups inc 18+ can be reported.