Safeguarding
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY!
At Oakdene Primary School, the safety and well-being of our children is paramount. We take our statutory duty very seriously and are commited to the safeguarding of our children. We expect staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment. This applies to someone who is paid, voluntary or any trades person who is undertaking work in our school. Everyone has a responsibility to act, without delay, to protect children by reporting anything that might sugget a child is being abused or neglected. It is our willingness to work safely and challenge inappropriate behaviours that underpins this commitment. The school seeks to work in partnership with families and other agencies to improve the outcomes for children and families who are vulnerable and/or in need.
Oakdene's designated officer for Child Protection is Mr Martin Weston. Any concerns should be reported to Mr Martin Weston. In his absence, the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leaders at Oakdene Primary School are: Ms Lynsey Young, Mrs Caroline Hughes and Mrs Andrea Green
The school's safeguarding governor is Mrs Clare Oldham (Vice Chair of Governors)
Reporting concerns about a child
At any point anyone can report a concern they have about a child at:
https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/socialcare
Sexual exploitation
If you are concerned about Child Sexual Exploitation, age appropriate advice and resources can be accessed at:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-sexual-exploitation/
Mr Martin Weston is the lead for Child Sexual Explotation.
Prevent information
If you have concerns about radicalisation or extremism or belive your child is at risk, then please contact school and speak to Mr Weston or Ms Young. Online material which promotes terrorism or extremism can be reported here:
https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism
Internet Safety
If you require any support or information on how to keep your child safe online there is lots of advice available on our website. The DFE have a document regarding support for parents in keeping children safe online. Please see the links below for support:
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
Education Inspection Framework
Working Together to Safeguard Children
What harm a child may experience online
Sexting (Youth produced sexual imagery)
Age-inappropriate content and parental controls
Apps to help children stay safe online
Multi-agency Statutory Guidance on FGM
If you are worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating online, you can make a report to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)
https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/
For informaiton on how to speak to your child about online safety, please follow the link below:
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
Operation Encompass and Domestic Abuse
What is Operation Encompass?
In conjunction with Merseyside Police, Oakdene Primary is involved in an initiative called Operation Encompass. The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in, heard or witnessed a domestic abuse incident. Following such an incident, children can arrive at school distressed, upset, worried and unprepared. Operation Encompass aims to ensure that appropriate school staff (called Key Adults) are made aware early enough to support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe and included. At Oakdene, our Key Adult is Martin Weston (Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Headteacher) This is a valuable initiative that means we can continue to support and help children and families within our school community when they need it the most. You can find our more by visiting www.operationencompass.org or by contacting our Key Adult.
Early Help Advice and Guidance
Early Help is the term used in St.Helens to describe our approach on a whole range of individual social, health and educational issues when providing support to children, young people and their families as soon as problems emerge or re-emerge. Families should be enabled and supported to have the right conversations, with the right people and at the right time about their needs or concerns, so that statutory interventions can be avoided, where this is appropriate. For more information regarding the Early Help Framework, Graded Care Profile and the Early Help Assessment Tool see documents listed.
