Kingsclere CE
Primary School
‘Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility.’
Children have a right to be cared for and protected, protecting them is everyone’s responsibility. Here at Kingsclere CE Primary School we have a duty of care to ensure that all users of the school are kept safe from harm. We are committed to provide a secure and supportive environment in which children can develop and grow into mature and responsible people. Safeguarding children is an essential part of our holistic approach to ensure that children are protected from abuse and neglect and that every child reaches their full potential.
Designated and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL) are listed below. The role of the DSL is to act as the first point of contact for any safeguarding or child protection incident or concern. The DDSLs assist the DSL in all matters of safeguarding and child protection across the school.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Jo Messenger
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs)
Karen Bentall
Lindsey Bowden
Lesley Dudman
Caroline Williamson
Staff, Volunteers and Service Providers Duty
The school’s staff, volunteers and service providers have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as a shared responsibility with parents and carers. To support this statement, the school may signpost to services that are specialised to promote opportunity, prevent problems, act early and act effectively if and when concerns arise. Therefore, whilst we do not want to worry you, we will report to children’s services if we have any reason to believe that a child may be at risk of suffering abuse or neglect.
Parents/Carers are normally our first point of contact, and if a suspicion of abuse or neglect is recorded, parents/carers, where possible, will be informed at the same time that the record is made. We will always aim to work in collaboration with parents/carers to protect children. In some circumstance we may not notify parents/carers regarding a referral to children’s services if this is not allowed or recommended by social care or the police.
We cannot safeguard children alone. All children’s services agencies work in partnership with each other. There are duties and rules about information sharing but if staff, parents or carers have any concerns about a child, other parent, provider, agency or any person, they have a responsibility to report those concerns and we must record and act on them.
What you can do
Parents and carers play a role in safeguarding children in the community. If you have any concerns, no matter how small, you should report them. If you think a child or young person may be in immediate danger, call 999. To report any welfare or safeguarding concerns, please contact Hampshire Children’s Services on 0300 555 1384 between the hours of Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm or Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. If you are calling out of hours, please call Hampshire Children’s Services on 0300 555 1373. You can also speak to the school Designated Safeguarding Lead if you have any concerns about a child.
Policies and Guidance
We have a Kingsclere CE Primary School Safeguarding and Child Protection policy which is underpinned by the Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) guidance and Safer Recruitment guidance. The policies apply to all children and young people regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or religion. It is a requirement that all users are informed of these policies and practice guidance and what they should do if they have concerns. If you wish to view these policies on our website, please look under the Information heading – Policies.