Schools are charged with maintaining a safe, supportive environment which protects the rights and needs of children at all times. School staff have regular contact with children and young people, and have a responsibility to help to identify signs of children in need of additional support or protection accordingly.

Together, these responsibilities are called safeguarding.

At Heage Primary, the safety and welfare of our children is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise our safeguarding responsibilities include:

• Creating a safe environment for children and young people through robust safeguarding practices;
• Ensuring that adults who work in school, including volunteers, are able to work with children safely, and are properly trained and equipped to do so;
• Teaching children and young people to stay safe; and
• Maintaining an environment in which children feel confident to approach any member of staff if they have a worry or problem.

At Heage Primary we are committed to supporting all of our children to do well. We will do everything we can to ensure our children are safeguarded and protected from harm.

As part of our safeguarding delivery, Heage Primary School follows the procedures set out by the Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Board in the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Procedures (www.derbyshirescb.org.uk) and takes account of guidance issued by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (in particular Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education 2007).

Links to safeguarding resources used in school can be found https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/resources

Please see our Safeguarding Policy for more details

Are you worried about a child?

If you have concerns that a child is being harmed or living in circumstances that might be harmful in the future, these concerns will always be taken seriously.

You may be worried about what might happen to you or your family if you report your concerns. When someone makes a call to talk about their concerns, they will always be asked for their name and contact details – so they can be contacted again if needed. However, you can ask for your details to remain confidential, or provide information anonymously.

Getting Help

Please contact school anytime via e-mail safeguarding@heage.derbyshire.sch.uk or call us if you feel you need support or need advice on anything relating to children and safeguarding.

• Designated Safeguarding Lead – D Hallam headteacher@heage.derbyshire.sch.uk
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – Lindsey Roberts  - Deputy Head -lroberts@heage.derbyshire.sch.uk
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – Joanne McAnulty - SLT - jmcanulty1@heage.derbyshire.sch.uk

The Police in Derby and Derbyshire

If you believe that a child is at immediate risk and in need of protection, then you should call the Police – 999 immediately.

Alternatively, if you want advice from the Police and the child is not in immediate need of protection, you can call the Police on the telephone number 101.

Children’s Social Care in Derbyshire

Children’s Social Care has a duty team to help you talk about concerns you have and take action to make children safe. The social care staff can always be asked for advice if you are not sure about a situation.

Starting Point can be contacted on the telephone number 01629 533190.

Please do not keep your worries to yourself.