Safeguarding

Staff and Governors at St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School take all aspects of safeguarding seriously. We acknowledge that safeguarding incidents could happen anywhere and staff should be alert to all possible concerns.

We recognise that it is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. The best interests of the child are considered at all times.

Through our curriculum we teach children to stay safe and happy. We encourage the understanding that any problem or worry that they may have is legitimate, and to share their worries, big or small with their trusted adult; at home or at school. Child line (NSPCC) and CEOP are highlighted as sources of help and support for the children.

Achieving for Children (AfC) single point of access (SPA)

Anyone can tell SPA about a child, young person or parent/carer who needs support. This could be a concern about how the child is developing, issues that the parent or carer is experiencing, or you suspect a child is being neglected or subjected to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

Richmond SPA can be contacted on the Single Point of Access (SPA) website.

If a child is in immediate danger, the police should be contacted on 999.

If it is not an emergency, but there is a concern that a child is at risk, SPA should be contacted by phone on 020 8547 5008. If it is outside of office hours and urgent, the SPA duty social worker can be spoken to on 020 8770 5000.

If a child lives in Hounslow the contact details for Hounslow SPA are below

Hounslow Early Help contact number: 020 8583 6600 – option 2

Out of hours: 020 8583 2222 and ask to speak to the duty social worker childrensocialcare@hounslow.gov.uk

This government website will help identify which local council to report child abuse to and their contact details: Report child abuse to a local council - GOV.UK

Local Authority designated officer (LADO)

Every Local Authority has a legal responsibility to appoint a LADO who is responsible for organising the response to concerns/allegations that an adult who works with children may have caused them or could cause them harm. They will be informed within one working day of any allegations that come to our attention. The LADO will give advice and guidance to employers, such as the headteacher and the chair of governors, to make sure that any allegation is dealt with fairly and quickly, ensuring that the child is protected effectively.

The LADO can be contacted by:

Email: LADO@achievingforchildren.org.uk

Telephone: 07774 332675

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mr Nash

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Mrs Moreland, Miss Meldon,

Miss Morris, Mrs Bainbridge

Designated Safeguarding Governor: Mr Brown

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Governor: Mr McAlindon

Inclusion Manager (SEND, LAC): Miss Meldon