This is our safeguarding team:

 

At Abercromby Nursery School, we ensure children learn in a safe, caring and enriching environment. Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, to develop positive and healthy relationships, how to avoid situations where they might be at risk, including by being exploited.

The school also has a statutory responsibility to share any concerns it might have about a child in need of protection with other agencies and in particular police, health and children’s services. Schools are not able to investigate child protection concerns but have a legal duty to refer them. In most instances, the school will be able to inform the parents/carers of its need to make a referral. However, sometimes the school can in certain circumstances share information without the consent of the family and may be advised by children’s services or police that the parent/carer cannot be informed whilst they investigate the matter or make enquires. We understand the anxiety parents/carers understandably feel when they are not told about any concerns from the outset. The school follows legislation that aims to act in the interests of the child.

The school will always seek to work in partnership with parents and other agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for the child and family

We have the following in place to protect our children:

  • all staff have been trained to identify signs of abuse
  • there are clear procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child
  • there are designated staff responsible for dealing with child protection
  • there are safe recruitment practices for all new staff
  • all students and volunteers receive appropriate induction and supervision
  • there are statutory and relevant policies including a child protection policy, whistle-blowing policy and a staff code of conduct; these are regularly updated and part of our everyday practice

We listen to and work closely with our staff, families and children so that everyone feels safe and protected in our school environment. Where appropriate, we will work with other agencies to provide support to anyone who needs it.

More details of the way we protect children at Abercromby can be found in our Child Protection policy:

Child Protection Policy March 24

Important guidance from the Government is provided in:

Keeping_children_safe_in_education_2023_-_part_one

Further information and support for specific concerns can be found on the Safeguarding Resource Hub

 

OPERATION ENCOMPASS

All schools must be part of Operation Encompass which seeks to support children who witness or are victims of Domestic Abuse, or violence in their home. If the police have been called out to a home where children may have seen, heard or been caught up in an incident, they will inform the school by the start of the next day, so that children can be supported appropriately. Please see the letter below and the posters explaining in more detail.

Operation Encompass letter Abercromby NS

Operation Encompass information for families

Infographic – 10 key principles of Operation Encompass