Safeguarding
At Priors Hall, we recognise that we have an explicit duty to safeguard and protect children from abuse as defined in the Children’s Act 2004 and the Education Act 2002. The overall intention and purpose behind Priors Hall’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy is underpinned by the fundamental principle of the Children Act 1989: ‘The welfare of the child is paramount’.
Meet the Safeguarding Team
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Jacques White jacquelinewhite@priorshallalc.com
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Tess McQuade tessmcquade@priorshallac.com
Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSO):
- Justin Pye (KS2 Phase Lead) justinpye@priorshallalc.com
- Charlotte Brazier (EYFS and KS1 Phase Lead) charlottebrazier@priorshallalc.com
- Alex Crawford (Nursery Lead Teacher) alexcrawford@priorshallalc.com
- Lucy Nisbet (SENDco) and Calla Haycock-Hall (Pastoral Lead) lucynisbet@priorshallalc.com
If at anytime you have any issues or any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact them.
Everyone at Priors Hall shares the objective to help keep children safe by:
- Providing a safe environment for children to learn in
- Supporting children’s development in ways which will foster a sense of self-esteem and independence
- Identifying and responding to children in need of support and/or protection
- Staff receiving training in child protection and safeguarding
Key Guidance
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1161273/Keeping_children_safe_in_education_2023_-_statutory_guidance_for_schools_and_colleges.pdf
Keeping Children Safe Online
CEOP is here to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. You can make a report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre by clicking on the Click CEOP button if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried. This might be from someone you know in real life, or someone you have only ever met online. CEOP take all reports seriously and we will do everything we can to keep you safe.
As well as making a report to the CEOP Safety Centre, the CEOP Education website has information and advice to help you if something has happened to you online. Are you being bullied?
CEOP are unable to respond to reports about bullying but if you’re being bullied and would like to talk to someone in confidence right now you can speak to Childline on 0800 1111 or talk to them online – no worry is too big or too small.
Key Safeguarding Information and Resources for Parents, Carers and Families
Physical Chastisement
It is not illegal for a parent to hit their child as long as the ‘smack’ amounts to ‘reasonable punishment’. There is, therefore, a difference between punishment and what can feasibly be termed ‘abuse’. Unreasonable punishment is classed as a smack that leaves a mark on the child, or the use of an implement to hit the child, such as a belt or cane. A parent can give another person consent to use reasonable punishment on their child, such as a babysitter or grandparent.
Criminal Offences
Common assault is chargeable by the Crown Prosecution Service if it amounts to scratches, minor bruising, grazes, red skin, a black eye or superficial cuts.
Actual bodily harm could be a broken or lost tooth, broken nose, minor cuts (more than merely superficial), a loss of consciousness, serious bruising, or minor bone fractures, as well as emotional damage that amounts to a psychiatric injury.
Grievous bodily harm requires a compound fracture, injuries that cause a substantial amount of blood loss (requiring a transfusion), a visual disfigurement, injuries that result in permanent disability, or ‘wounding’ that breaks both the inner and outer layers of the skin. Again, this could include psychiatric injury.
Grievous bodily harm with intent is the most serious (before attempted murder) and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. This would be the right charge if a parent wounded their child with intent, unlawfully, maliciously and intentionally, or caused grievous bodily harm to another person.
Alternatives to smacking
- Give love and warmth as much as possible
- Have clear simple rules and limits
- Be a good role model
- Praise good behaviour so it will increase
- Ignore behaviour you don’t want repeated
- Criticise behaviours, not your child
- Reward good behaviour with hugs and kisses
- Distract younger children
- Use humour
- Allow children some control; joint decisions, choices
- If a punishment is necessary, the removal of privileges, ‘time out’ or natural consequences are better
Child’s Law Advice: The Law on Smacking Children
https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/the-law-on-smacking-children/
Online Safety
Safety and Security Online
Childnet
National Online Safety
We have gained a National Online Safety Accreditation due to our commitment to keeping children safe online through our taught curriculum. If you are a parent and would like access to National Online Safety content, please contact the school office and we will share our parents' access information.
Sexual Abuse and Harassment
Stop It Now
Kidscape
https://www.kidscape.org.uk/advice/advice-for-parents-and-carers/sexual-harassment/
Domestic Abuse
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Ask for ‘Ani’ (Action Needed Immediately)
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy. ‘ANI’ stands for Action Needed Immediately. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.
Bright Sky App
Bright Sky is a safe, easy to use app and website that provides practical support and information on how to respond to domestic abuse. It is for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else. This is available both on Android and Apple App Store.
https://www.hestia.org/brightsky
Early Help
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Early Help Guidance for Parents and Carers:
Reporting your concerns
Worried about a child outside of school? Report your concerns to Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) at
https://www.nctrust.co.uk/help-and-protection-for-children/Pages/report-a-concern.aspx