Hertford Vale
Safeguarding at
Hertford Vale C.E Primary School
Our Vision
“Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Along with clear directions, God has given everyone freedom to choose their own path in life. By raising children in a Godly manner, we instill in them love, respect, kindness, resilience and peace so that they may choose the right path for themselves.
Hertford Vale C.E Primary School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in school and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures. Every person who works with our children understands their responsibility in keeping children safe and should be confident in how they will do that.
The school will in most circumstances endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their child/ren. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents.
In school, we use an online platform called CPOMS which is a safeguarding software for schools. Information received from outside agencies can be stored and recorded on the CPOMs system. CPOMs is a protected online platform where professionals in school can access information relating to the behaviour and safety of a child. When requested, this can also be shared with other professional such as police and social workers.
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be viewed in the Policies section of our website.
Our school is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse.
As a school we have ensured that a member of our staff, (Mr Barber - Designated Safeguarding Lead) known as a Key Adult, has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the children in our care.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 identifies children who experience domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.
We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.
Designated safeguarding Lead : Mr A Barber
Deputy Designated safeguarding Leads : Mrs Liz Blogg and Mrs R Boyes
Safeguarding Governor : Mr Paul Bradbury
SENCO: Mr A Barber / Mrs C Simpson
If you have a concern about a child in school, you can speak with the Designated Safeguarding Lead Mr Andrew Barber or the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads, Mrs Liz Blogg and Mrs Rosanna Boyes on 01944 710273.
Alternatively you can ring the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership phone number on 0300 131 2 131. Should your call be outside of business hours (Monday – Friday / 9am-5pm) please still call 0300 131 2 131 to speak to the Emergency Duty Team.
We all want our children to live in a safe and loving environment so that they can grow up to become happy, confident adults. You will already know that your children can be vulnerable to risks both inside and outside the home, and will have taken steps to protect them so they can grow, learn and develop to their fullest potential. Protecting children from dangers online is also very important and you can access some information below.
North Yorkshire 'Be Aware' child exploitation website NYCC Be Aware
THINKUKNOW website
NYSCB www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk
NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk
CEOP https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
LGBTQ+ Support The Go To
Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org/
Parent Zone https://parentzone.org.uk/
Parents Protect www.parentsprotect.co.uk
or download this useful document Parental Guidance for Monitoring Children’s use of Social media from UKCCIS
Protecting your children from radicalisation and extremism is similar to protecting them from the other harms you may be more familiar with, such as drugs, gangs and sexual exploitation.
For ways to keep your child safe, including from the dangers of radicalisation, click on the link for the “educate against hate” website