Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Chestnut Park is the highest priority and the whole team are dedicated to ensuring the safety of the entire school community including, children, staff and parents. 

Safeguarding means:

• protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
• preventing harm to children's health or development
• ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
• taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.

We have a Safeguarding Policy and all staff are aware of the Governments guidance; 'Keeping Children Safe in Education. 

Safeguarding Team

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and we would invite you to speak with a member of our safeguarding team if you have any concern about a child or adult. All conversations will be dealt with sensitively and confidentially. Our safeguarding team includes: 

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Tamara Dexter

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Emmee Standeven 

As part of the Futura Learning Partnership, we ensure all of our staff undergo enhanced DBS checks regarding their suitability to work with children prior to commencing employment. This is supplemented by annual mandatory safeguarding training to ensure that everyone is compliant with safeguarding updates, policies and procedures. We are part of a wider safeguarding trust network which we attend regularly. Any changes to procedures or information gained from networks or changes to legislation is then disseminated to all staff by the safeguarding team. 

We also work in partnership with multi-agencies to include Social Care, Children Centers, Health Services, Police and other services supporting families to ensure all pupils are kept safe. 

This means that there may be circumstances where we need to pass on information or concerns to the above agencies. The school will always do this in consultation with parents except in circumstances where a child is at risk. 

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Your suitability to work with children will form part of the selection process.

During interview the panel will explore issues relating to safeguarding and the promotion of child welfare with you.  Prior to appointment safer recruitment checks will be processed by the Futura Learning Partnership. These will include an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (criminal records) check and a Children’s Barred List check (where engaging in ‘regulated’ activity’). Other checks will include:  verifying original forms of identity, academic, professional and vocational qualifications, prohibition checks in relation to the children’s workforce for teachers, a minimum of two satisfactory references, previous employment history checks, gaps in employment and health and physical capacity checks.

In some settings a Declaration will be required in order to meet our obligations under the ‘Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006. We also require original identification of right to work in the UK. In all instances, original and valid documents will be required.

Useful documents:

• Policy Statement on Ex-Offenders
• Safeguarding policy

Safeguarding beyond the school

Chestnut Park is part of the Futura Learning Partnership who also have a role in ensuring that the school is effectively safeguarding children and families. 

If you have any concerns about the behaviour of someone working with or volunteering with children you can contact the LADO - Local Authority Designated Officer, in North Somerset Council. 

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Tel: 01275 888808

Email: lado@n-somerset.gov.uk

Prevent

Prevent is about safeguarding individuals from being drawn into terrorism and ensuring those vulnerable to extremist and terrorist ideas are given appropriate advice and support at an early stage.

Every member of staff at Chestnut Park undergoes Prevent training as park of their induction and annually after that. 

Children in school are taught about Prevent through the promotion of spiritual, moral and cultural development and discussions in the PSHE curriculum of fundamental British values. We challenge and support our children to look at how they can be inclusive in their actions and discussions. We hold regular assemblies and in class discussions to talk about how there are diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities in the United Kingdom we promote the need for mutual respect and understanding. 

Safeguarding Prevent Agenda - The Educate Against Hate Website is designed to give advice on preventing extremism and helping to protect children and young people from radical views. 

Please see website below for additional information:

• Educate Against Hate
• Lets Talk about Radicalisation 
• Act Early

 E-safety

 Please see our E-safety page for additional information 

• E-safety for children age 5-7 years old
• E-safety for children age 8-11 year old
• E-safety advice for parents and carers 

Safeguarding in the Curriculum 

Safeguarding in the Curriculum

More Information on keeping children safe

• Childline
• Young Minds
• Think You Know