Castercliff Primary Academy fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection.  It aims to ensure that children are effectively safeguarded from the potential risk of harm and that the safety and wellbeing of all children is of the highest priority in all aspects of the Academy’s work.  In addition, it aims to maintain an ethos whereby staff, pupils, parents and governors feel able to articulate concerns comfortably, safe in the knowledge that effective action will be taken as appropriate.

This Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy applies to all adults, including volunteers, working in or on behalf of the Academy and it is expected that everyone working in or for our School shares the responsibility to keep children safe from harm and abuse and reports any concerns to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Mr Bill Switzer - Deputy Principal

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

Help and Advice for Parents/ Carers

As parents/carers, you want to make sure that your children develop healthily and thrive. We're here to help you with advice on how you can build strong relationships with your children and keep them safe. Here is advice and resources for helping parents to keep their children safe out of school, at home and online, when using the internet, social networking websites and playing online games, creating a safe and nurturing environment for your children.

For guidance, further details can be found from:

• www.thinkuknow.co.uk
• www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe
• www.youngminds.org.uk/for_parents/parent
• www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/topics/stay-safe

Ways to Contact the NSPCC

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a charity campaigning and working in child protection in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
Text: 88858
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Online Safety

Online safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Castercliff Primary Academy. We have extensive security measures in place within the school, which are reviewed regularly, to help safeguard the children from unsuitable content of the internet and any potential dangers. As a school, we are working towards achieving an online safety recognition from 360 degrees safe. This involves documenting and improving our already above standard online safety practices.

We have recently set up an Online Safety Steering Group consisting of staff, pupils, parents, member of our Academy Council and technicians. We meet each half term.

Children at Castercliff Primary Academy use the internet as part of their learning and we have regular activities and conversations to remind the children about the importance of staying safe on the internet both in school and out of school. We are committed  to working with parents/carers to ensure the safety of the children whilst using the internet, supporting parents/carers speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately on line.

Operation Encompass

In conjunction with Lancashire Police, Castercliff Primary Academy is involved in a national initiative called “Operation Encompass”.  The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in, heard or witnessed a domestic abuse incident.

Following an incident, children will often arrive at school distressed, upset, worried and unprepared.  Operation Encompass aims to ensure that appropriate school staff are made aware early enough to help and support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe and included.

This is a valuable initiative that means we can help and support students and their families within our school when they need us most.

You can find out more information by visiting the Operation Encompass website (click the link below) or by contacting a member of the DSL team in school.

• http://www.operationencompass.org/