No child should suffer harm of any form, either at home or at school. Everyone who works or visits our school has a responsibility to make sure that all our young people are safe.

This information has been given to you to make sure you understand what is expected of you as a visitor to The Avenue Infant School.

Please ask the person who gave it to you if you are unclear about anything in it, and keep the leaflet in a safe place, so that you can read it again if you need to.

If you are worried about the safety of any young person in our school, you must report this to the Designated Safeguarding Lead who will act in the best interests of the young person.

The MASH contact number for safeguarding referrals and advice is 0300 126 1000 or NSPCC 0808 800 500.

On Arrival 

On arrival at school, you will be asked for visitor ID. Please do not be offended by this. It forms part of our vetting procedures. In order to help our staff identify individuals who are able to work with children unsupervised, we have a colour coded badge system. All adults in school will be expected to wear the appropriate badge at all times.

All adults have a duty of care towards the welfare of children and are responsible for: 

• Health and safety 
• First Aid
• General well-being 
• Child Protection This leaflet is designed to help everyone involved to understand the importance of working safely with children.

The Avenue Infant School has a Safeguarding Policy and a copy is available from the school office.

What is child abuse?

Child abuse is…’a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm...Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, others (e.g. via the internet). Abuse can take place wholly online, or technology may be used to facilitate offline abuse.’

Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2022

Types of abuse

Physical This is where a child’s body is deliberately hurt or injured by an adult, another child or other children.

Sexual This involves a child or images or a child/children being used to satisfy sexual desires, this includes a child being deliberately exposed to inappropriate sexual images.

Emotional This is where children suffer persistent emotional maltreatment. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless, unloved and inadequate or they are only valued by meeting the needs of another person.

Neglect This is a persistent failure to meet the child’s physical, emotional and / or psychological needs.

What should I do if I am worried about a child?

If, whilst working with a child you become concerned about: 

• Comments made by a child 
• Marks or bruising on a child 
• Changes in the child’s behaviour or demeanour.

Please report these concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, or a deputy DSL.

What should I do if a child discloses that she/he is being harmed?

• Take what the child says seriously 
• Listen but do not investigate (TED: Tell me, Explain to me, Describe to me)
• Report what was said factually on a pink Cause for Concern form (available around the school)- include the child’s name, date, time and make sure you sign it. Make sure you speak to the school DSL or one of the Deputy DSLs. Do not leave the form with anyone other than the named Designated Safeguarding Lead or one of the deputies. (Remember that sharing information in this way is required and necessary for the purpose of safeguarding children and should be also be proportionate, relevant, adequate, accurate, timely and secure) 
• If you cannot contact the school, call Children’s Social Care Services directly on 0300 126 1000 
• Observe confidentiality with colleagues, family and friends

How do I assure that my behaviour is always appropriate?

Staff and volunteers can help to keep children safe by acting in a professional manner:

• Always follow the school’s signing in procedures as appropriate 
• Do not use your mobile phone in the classroom / playground areas, any area used by pupils (if you need to make a call please go to the office) 
• Avoid being alone in any situation with a child as you may both be vulnerable. 
• Be polite and friendly, but not forging relationships with children nor making favourites 
• Avoid physical contact unless necessary when a child is injured and there is an emergency. 
• Behave professionally in terms of dress, language and conduct, at all times.

What should I do if I am concerned about the conduct of an adult?

In some circumstances, you may have concerns about the conduct of another adult– these may be anything from a significant allegation to a low level concern/nagging doubt. It is important that you observe the points in this section and inform the headteacher immediately. They will consider the case and seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer where appropriate.

If the concern is about the Headteacher, you may contact the Chair of Governors directly, contact details are available from the school office. You may also ‘whistleblow’ (Whistleblowing policy is displayed in the staffroom) and refer to Children’s Social Care Services or the police direct– see below for numbers.

Remember our school has a child protection policy to deal with such occasions and it is not helpful to either the child or adult if you delay or ignore the situation, however difficult it might be.

SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS

Useful Contacts:

Children's Social Care Services  03001261000 (Out of hours 01604 626938)

Police: 101

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Childline: 0800 1111

For more information about internet safety, go to the 'Parents & Carers' section of the website and click on the 'Online' section. 

You can also contact the Local Authority directly with any concerns: 

Northamptonshire Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH team)
Telephone: 0300 126 1000
If you need to contact children's social care urgently during the evening, at night or at the weekend, phone the out of hours team on 01604 626938.

For more information go to the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Board website at: http://www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk/parents-carers/

If a child is in immediate danger, left alone or missing, you should contact the police directly and/ or an ambulance by ringing 999. 

Other useful numbers are listed below, or click on the name to be taken directly to their website. 

Childline: 0800 1111 
The website has information and support on a whole range of issues alongside their helpline. Advice and information includes subjects such as mental health, abuse, bullying, self harm, online safety and eating disorders.

NSPCC: 0800 800500  
24/7 help, advice, information and support on a range of issues including domestic violence, bullying, female genital mutilation, online safety, abuse and neglect.

Women's Aid: 0808 2000  247
24/7 help, advice, information and support on domestic violence issues.

Samaritans: 116 123 
For someone to talk to, any time, about what is getting to you. They can help to explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen. 

NAPAC: (National Association for Persons Abused in Childhood): 0808 801 0331
Support and advice for those dealing with childhood abuse.

Kidscape: 0207 730 3300  
Provides helpful advice and information to prevent and tackle bullying. 

Bullying UK:  0808 800 2222
Provides help and reliable information on a variety of bullying issues.

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Run by Refuge and Women’s Aid for people who are dealing with domestic violence themselves or know somebody else that is.

Family Lives: 0808 800 2222
Help and support for all areas of family life including behaviour, bullying, school and learning, health and lots more.