Safeguarding & Child Protection
Safeguarding Statement
Woodstock CE Primary is committed to all aspects of safeguarding. We believe that all children have the right to be protected from abuse and harm. The Governing Body takes seriously its responsibility under section 11 of the Children Act and duties under 'working together' to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements exist within our setting to identify, and support those children who are suffering harm or are likely to suffer harm.
"Safety and security doesn't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear".
Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa
We recognise that all staff and governors have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm, and that the child’s welfare is our paramount concern. We ensure that anyone, paid or voluntary, who seeks to work in our school is safe to do so.
Our school provides a safe, caring, positive and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child free from discrimination or bullying where children can learn and develop happily.
Our School Safeguarding Team
If you have any concerns about a child relating to Safeguarding please get in touch with one of our Safeguarding Leads immediately by contacting the school directly on 01993 812209 or by email safeguarding@woodstock.oxon.sch.uk.
If you are unable to speak to a member of our Designated Safeguarding Team at school and have a safeguarding concern, please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) directly who will be able to advise you.
If you have a concern about a child, please call MASH on 0345 050 7666.
Cause for Concern
Our first priority is of course your child’s welfare and we are required to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of our pupils. However there may be occasions when we have reason to be concerned that a child may be subject to ill-treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse. We will ensure that our concerns about a child are discussed with his/her parents first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare. In this case we are obliged to follow our Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures established by the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board and inform Social Care of the concern.
We work extremely closely with the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board to access training and support.
If you are worried about a child's safety please do not hesitate to contact Anne Hipwell (Headteacher), Anna Poole (Deputy Headteacher), Sally Rees (Assistant Headteacher) or Richard Graham (SBM) straight away.
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
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.
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.
Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
NSPCC Learn the underwear rule.
Click here to open information by the NSPCC about how to talk to your child in simple language about keeping safe from abuse. It's called Talk Pants And You've Got It Covered.
Educate Against Hate
This a tool for parents and schools to help protect children from the risk of radicalisation. You can access the site here
Prevent duty training: Learn how to support people vulnerable to radicalisation
This training service is for people working in sectors covered by the Prevent duty, such as education, health, local authorities, police, prisons, probation and youth justice.
Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board