Safeguarding
Yes, it could happen here.
Merton Park Primary recognises that it has a duty to ensure arrangements are in place for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and to carry out this duty through our teaching and learning, pastoral care and extended school activities. All members of the school community will work together to establish and maintain a safe and stimulating environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk to adults they can trust and are listened to.
The Designated member of staff (DSL) for Child protection is the Headteacher, Mr Andrew Knox.
The Deputy Designated member (DDSL) of staff for Child protection is:
- Mrs Debs Hastings, Senior Leader
All officers have received appropriate training and are responsible for the completion of the required paperwork and ensuring that confidential records are stored securely. It is the responsibility of the designated members of staff to have discussions with Social Care, when concerns arise regarding the safety of a pupil in this school. All such pupils are closely monitored, including attendance, and where extra concerns arise these are passed on to the appropriate agencies.
At Merton Park staff use MyConcern to record any safeguarding concerns.
Designated Governor
Our school has a designated Safeguarding Governor (Chris Goldsmith) who will act as the link person between the governing body and the designated officers. The governor will review safeguarding procedures & practices. Where safeguarding concerns arise regarding a member of staff, the governor will liaise with the Chair of Governors.
Staff recruitment
In line with the guidance for Safer Recruitment, the Headteacher and two other members of staff/members of the Governing Body have completed Safer Recruitment training. All staff, including volunteers who have access to children in our school, have been carefully selected and screened and all have had an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check prior to commencing work. Details of all appointments/checks are held in a central record.
All staff will be trained to recognise the signs of abuse and understand their responsibilities when a child may be at risk of harm. Training of all staff will be updated in line with guidance (every 2 years) and also form part of new staff induction procedures.
Parents
This school believes in working closely with parents and in most cases where we have a concern about a pupil, the parents will be informed. The school can signpost and refer to a wide range of support services through the Headteacher and/or Inclusion Manager.
Children
Through assemblies and RHSE lessons, children have a clear understanding of how to keep themselves safe.
Online safety
Digital Citizenship is an integral part of our school curriculum throughout the year. Additionally, at the beginning of the academic year, all pupils are formally reminded of how to stay safe and be responsible online. The school runs regular e-safety workshops for children and parents.
(see e-safety guidance page under Parents tab).
Merton Safeguarding Children Partnership (MSCP) Website
The new website is mobile friendly and it allows Partners, Practitioner, Parents and Young People to access important information about the work of the Safeguarding Children Partnership and key documents to improve the effectiveness of our work to ensure that every child in Merton is safe, supported and successful.
Early Help
Early Help means picking up on any problems as soon as possible so they don’t get too big, and working alongside families to put things in place to help them get better. In Merton there are lots of different services that work together with children, young people and families providing ‘Early Help’ so that their needs are met. We want to make sure children, young people and families in Merton can get the right help, in the right place, at the right time so that things do get better. We believe that Early Help is all about identifying family needs early, working together at the lowest possible level of need to address issues or problems before they get bigger and making sure families know how and where to get support if they need, mostly through the organisations already working with children like schools or health services.
Please see the document below for further advice.
We are a Rights Respecting School and believe that, 'The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and actions that affect children.' (Article 3 of The UN Convention on the rights of the child)