Safeguarding

Designated Safeguarding Officers:
Mr Daniel Bowden
Mrs Tracey Whiting

Greenvale Primary School recognises its responsibility for Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children.  The school's policy applies to the whole of the school's workforce, along with volunteers, governors and any contractors working on the school site.  The policy focuses on 5 main elements:
Staff recruitment and selection - ensuring that all staff (volunteers etc.) have been appropriately checked for their suitability, using the Safe Recruitment procedures.

Raising awareness of safeguarding issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
Developing and implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
Supporting pupils who have been abused, in accordance with an agreed, child-centered plan.
Establishing a safe and nurturing environment free from discrimination or bullying, where children can learn and develop happily.

It may be helpful for parents to know that the Local Authority requires Designated Safeguarding Officers DSOs) to report any obvious or suspected case of child abuse which includes non-accidental injury, severe physical neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse. This procedure is intended to protect children at risk and schools are encouraged to take the attitude that where there are grounds for suspicion it is better to be safe than sorry. This does mean that DSOs risk upsetting some parents by reporting a case, which on investigation proves unfounded. In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents, appreciate how difficult it is for a DSO to carry out this delicate responsibility, would accept that the Head Teacher was acting in what were believed to be the child’s best interests.