Safeguarding & Child Protection
Safeguarding is central to everything we do at Langton. If you have any concerns regarding the safety of any child please contact the school’s designated person for child protection – Linda Bowman (Head of School). You may also wish to contact the designated Governor for child protection – Pam Abbott via the School Office.
How to report your safety concerns
If you believe that a child is immediate danger from significant harm, dial 999 to report it to the Police.
If you are concerned about a child and they are not in immediate danger, you can call 01609 780780 to talk anonymously to a North Yorkshire duty Social Worker or call the NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 or email: help@NSPCC.org.uk.
A Universal Referral Form (along with further information about what to do if you are worried about a child) can be found here on the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership website.
Allegations against staff – contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) – 01609 533080
Safeguarding Statement
We are committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in school. All North Yorkshire schools, including Langton Primary School, follow the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their children. 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. The school child protection policy is available on request from school or can be viewed below:
Langton Primary School Child Protection Policy
Langton School is committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of all of its pupils. Each pupil’s welfare is of paramount importance. We recognise that some children may be especially vulnerable to abuse e.g. those with Special Educational Needs, those living in adverse circumstances. We recognise that children who are abused or neglected may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world positively. Whilst at school, their behaviour may be challenging. We recognise that some children who have experienced abuse may harm others. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support all of our pupils.
- Keeping Children Safe in Education Part 1
- Children Missing Education – statutory guidance
- Guidance for Safer Working Practice for those Working with Children and Younger People in Education Settings
- What to do if you are worried a child is being abused
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- Use of Reasonable Force in Schools
Parents and Carers
We strongly believe that our school should be a welcoming and safe place for our children, staff, parents and visitors alike and that our parents share that belief. We have legal responsibilities for the safeguarding and well-being of children and staff, and a duty of care to all users of our school.
All adults who enter our school site at any time set examples of behaviour and conduct which influence children and young people and we believe that they should therefore demonstrate high standards of conduct in order to encourage our pupils to do the same. Parents and carers must show respect to all other parents and carers, children and staff.
Adults who do not behave in an acceptable manner may be asked to leave the site and the Headteacher has the right to further restrict their access.
Behaviour which is regarded as unacceptable includes:
- Physical abuse, threatening, oppressive or aggressive behaviour or use of offensive language towards other adults, staff or children
- Entering the school site under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Smoking anywhere on the school site (this includes e-cigarettes)
- Bringing dogs, with the exception of Assistance Dogs, on to the school site without the explicit permission of the Headteacher
- Mobile phone use on the school site, without the explicit permission of the Headteacher (or in the case of an emergency)
School-related issues which parents or carers have concerning school, pupils or their families must be brought to the attention of a member of staff. Parents or carers must not try to resolve any issues themselves by direct action on site. If issues cannot be successfully resolved by speaking to a staff member, parents’ and carers’ correct course of action is use our Complaints Procedure as appropriate
We expect all communication between parents and school to be conducted in a polite and respectful manner. Communication may be similarly restricted if it becomes unacceptable
Thank you for your cooperation.
CPOMS (Child Protection Online Management System)
At Langton, we use CPOMS. This is a software application for monitoring child protection, safeguarding and a whole range of pastoral and welfare issues. The software helps with the management and recording of child protection, behavioural issues, bullying, special educational needs, domestic issues and much much more. By using CPOMS, we can ensure that pupils are safe and fully supported, whilst school staff can focus on teaching and providing support, instead of administration. Every member of staff across school has an obligation to report any concerns which they may have. CPOMS allows them to record information in a central repository and have relevant people alerted immediately.
Prevent Statement
On 1 July 2015 the Prevent duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities and schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
Langton School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is as important as safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We believe that children should be given the opportunity to explore diversity and understand Britain as a multi-cultural society; everyone should be treated with respect whatever their race, gender, sexuality, religious belief, special need, or disability.
As part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy.
Operation Encompass
Langton Primary School is part of a project that runs jointly between all schools, academies and colleges in North Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Police.
This project, Operation Encompass, has been designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of normal school hours and that might have had an impact on a child attending our premises the following day. This information will be shared at the earliest opportunity between Monday to Thursday and, when an incident occurs on a Friday, Saturday or a Sunday, the police will contact us on the following Monday.
National Help Lines and Websites
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) 0870 000 3344
The UK’s national police centre for protecting young people and children from sexual abuse.
Childline (24 hours): 0800 1111
Free and confidential helpline for children & young adults in the UK.
Childnet 020 7639 6967
A non-profit organisation working with others to help make the Internet a safe place for children.
Compass Reach (North Yorkshire)
Compass REACH is a specialist service that works with children and young people aged 9 – 19 (and up to 25 for those with special educational needs or disabilities) who have been screened as having moderate or high levels of need with regard to substance misuse/alcohol.
Contact-A-Family 020 7608 8700 Helpline 0808 808 3555
Support for families of children with disabilities.
Cry-sis 08451 228 669 Help line open 9am-10pm 7 days a week.
Help for parents/carers with persistently crying and/or sleepless babies.
Drinkaware
Raising awareness and providing information about alcohol, health issues, legislation and drinking. Has a specific section aimed at parents / carers about how to talk to your child about alcohol – including a short film.
https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/underage-drinking/how-to-talk-about-alcohol/
Family Rights Group 020 7923 2628 Main Office. Helpline 0808 801 0366
Support with child protection procedures. 10-3.30pm Mon-Fri
Kidscape 020 7730 3300 Helpline 08451 205 204, or ring Childline 0800 1111
Deals with bullying, stranger danger, threats of abuse.
Lucy Faithfull Foundation 01527 591922
A child protection charity specialising in working with people perpetrating and affected by child sexual abuse.
NCH Action for Children 020 7704 7000
Supports and speaks out for the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK.
Netmums. 01923 639180
Web based parenting organisation to help parents share information and advice.
http://www.netmums.com 01923 639180
North Yorkshire Healthy Child Team
The healthy child service links health, education and social care to improve the health of all children aged five to 19. It plays an important role by working with school and families to address the health needs of children and young people.
http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/article/30679/Prevention-service
NSPCC Child Protection Line 0808 800 500
Acts in cases of neglect and abuse of children.
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) 0800 085 3330
For adult survivors of incest and abuse.
Respond 020 7383 0700. Helpline 0808 808 0700
Sexual abuse and people with learning disabilities.
Talk to Frank
Information on a range of substance, both legal and illegal and information on how to talk to your child about these issues.
Women’s Aid 0117 944 4411 Freephone 24 hr helpline 0808 2000 247
Emergency accommodation for abused women and children.
Think You Know
Online educational resources for children and young people provided by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.