Safeguarding

SAFEGUARDING AT PENWORTHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL

The safety and well-being of the children at Penwortham Primary School is of paramount importance.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) in school are; Miss Penarski (Head teacher), Mrs Cunningham (Deputy Head teacher) and Miss Flint (Learning Mentor).These staff members have undertaken LCC Designated Safeguarding Lead Training. Our Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Jones and our Deputy Safeguarding Governor is Miss Flint.

All other members of school staff are regularly trained and updated in safeguarding and child protection. We work with relevant agencies to reduce risk and promote the welfare of children.

Safeguarding Children is Everybody's Responsibility

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

  • providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge

  • protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online

  • preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care

  • taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm.  It relates to aspects of school life including:

  • pupils’ health and safety

  • the use of reasonable force

  • meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions

  • providing first aid

  • educational visits

  • intimate care

  • internet or e-safety

  • appropriate arrangements to ensure school security, considering the local context.

Are you concerned that a child is being abused or neglected?

If you are concerned about a child and you feel they are being abused, neglected or at risk of abuse/neglect, then you should consider making a safeguarding child referral. 

Contact Lancashire County Councils Social Care Service for confidential advice and consultation.

Monday to Friday 08.45 -17.00 please call: 0300 123 6720

If you are calling outside these hours please contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0300 123 6722

If you think a child is in immediate danger – don't delay call the police on 999

You can also report your concerns online:

NSPCC Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Or you can also speak to:

NSPCC 0800 800 5000

Childline 0800 1111

Printed copies of any of our policies are available if required. Please request copies from the school office.

CEOP - Child Exploitation and Online Protection

Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online?

Make a report to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors.

CEOP is a law enforcement agency and is here to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse. 

For more information or to make a report, go to: CEOP Safety Centre

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful or traumatic events. ACEs may include abuse, neglect, witnessing domestic violence or growing up with family members who have substance use disorders. They are strongly related to the development and prevalence of a wide range of health problems throughout a person's life. 

ACEs can have the following impact upon children and young people:

  • difficulty learning and limited social skills

  • exhibit violent behaviour, risky or delinquent behaviour

  • suffer from low self-esteem and experience increased levels of anxiety

  • aggressive and violent behaviour, including bullying

  • lack of conflict resolution skills

  • lack of empathy for others and poor peer relationships

  • poor school performance

  • anti-social behaviour

  • pregnancy, alcohol and substance misuse

  • self-blame, hopelessness shame and apathy

  • post-traumatic stress disorder

Useful Contacts

Families can sometimes need support from a wide range of agencies. We recognise that other agencies will be able to support children and families based on their specialised work. Therefore, our role is often to signpost families to the resources that will best support their needs.

Domestic Abuse = https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/your-health-and-wellbeing/domestic-abuse

MindsMatter = https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/Mindsmatter

Lancashire County Council Homelessness Services = https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/lancashire-insight/population-and-households/households-and-housing/homeless-households-in-priority-need/