Safeguarding our Children

Safeguarding at Bexton

At Bexton Primary School & Nursery, the safety, wellbeing and happiness of our children are at the heart of everything we do.

Safeguarding is about much more than responding when something has gone wrong. It is about creating a school where children feel safe, valued and listened to, where they know there are trusted adults they can talk to, and where families know they can come to us for help, advice or support.

We know that children learn best when they feel safe, secure and happy. We work closely with our children and families to identify worries or difficulties early and put the right support in place so that every child can fully access and enjoy their education at Bexton.

Sometimes families experience difficult times and need a little extra support. We want our parents and carers to feel able to talk to us. Asking for help doesn't mean something has gone wrong – often, an early conversation and the right support at the right time can make an enormous difference.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at Bexton.

Meet our Safeguarding Team

If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child, you can speak to any member of staff. Our Designated Safeguarding Team has additional training and responsibility for safeguarding and child protection across school.

Worried about a child?

You don't need to be certain that something is wrong before speaking to us.

If something is worrying you – however small it may seem – please come and talk to us. We would always rather you share a concern so that we can consider whether a child or family may need some help.

The School telephone number is 01565 632816

Supporting children and families

Safeguarding and supporting children's wellbeing happens every day at Bexton.

Our staff know our children well and work hard to notice when a child may need additional help. Sometimes support might simply mean having a trusted adult to talk to, some additional pastoral support or working alongside parents to help with a difficulty.

At other times, we may work with other professionals and services to make sure a child or family receives the right support.

Wherever possible, we work openly and collaboratively with parents and carers. Our aim is always to work with families, keeping the child's safety, wellbeing and best interests at the centre of the decisions we make.

There are some circumstances where safeguarding information must be shared with other professionals in order to protect a child. Where it is safe and appropriate to do so, we will discuss this with parents and carers.

Safeguarding through our curriculum

Keeping children safe isn't confined to a single lesson, assembly or policy. It is carefully woven throughout our curriculum and wider school life.

Children learn, in an age-appropriate way, how to:

• keep themselves and others safe;

• develop healthy and respectful relationships;

• understand boundaries and consent;

• recognise when something doesn't feel right;

• stay safe online;

• understand their emotions and wellbeing;

• recognise trusted adults; and

• know where and how to ask for help.

Through our curriculum, assemblies, pastoral support and everyday conversations, we help children develop the confidence, resilience and language they need to talk about their feelings and experiences.

Most importantly, our children are regularly reminded that:

There is always someone at Bexton who will listen.

A message for our children

Are you worried about something?

If something has happened that has made you feel worried, frightened, uncomfortable or sad, tell a grown-up you trust.

You can talk to your teacher, teaching assistant, one of our safeguarding team or any grown-up in school.

You don't need to know exactly what to say.

You won't be in trouble for telling us.

We will listen to you and help you.

Working with Cheshire East – Right Help, Right Time

Bexton works closely with Cheshire East's safeguarding services, including the Safeguarding Children in Education Settings (SCiES) team, and follows the procedures of the Cheshire East Safeguarding Children's Partnership.

Cheshire East uses a Continuum of Need to help professionals make sure children and families receive the right help at the right time.

Put simply, children's and families' needs can change over time.

Many children's needs are met through the everyday support available from their family, school, health services and community. Sometimes a family may benefit from some additional or coordinated help. Where needs become more complex, or there are concerns about a child's safety, more targeted or statutory services may become involved.

Children and families can move between these different levels of support as their circumstances change.

Our aim is always to identify needs early, work together and help families access appropriate support as soon as possible.

What should I do if I am worried about a child?

f you have any concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please tell someone.

During the school day, please contact school and ask to speak to a member of our Designated Safeguarding Team.

You do not need to investigate a concern yourself or be certain that abuse or harm has taken place. Sharing a genuine concern allows the appropriate people to consider what support or action may be needed.

Contacting Cheshire East directly

If you are concerned about a child, you can also contact the Cheshire East Consultation Service (ChECS):

0300 123 5012

For urgent child protection concerns outside normal working hours, contact the Emergency Duty Team:

0300 123 5022

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.

Operation Encompass

If your family is experiencing difficulties at home, you do not need to wait for us to receive an Operation Encompass notification.

Please speak to us. We will listen without judgement and help you consider what support may be available for you and your family.

Help and support for our families

There are times when all families need a little extra help.

You don't need to wait until a problem becomes serious before asking for support.

Below are links to trusted organisations and services that can provide advice, information and practical support to children and families.

If you're not sure where to start, please come and talk to us. You don't need to know exactly what help you need – we will always do our best to help you find the right support.

Home : Operation Encompass

Online Safety, Safeguarding, Security and Training | SWGfL

Homepage - UK Safer Internet Centre

YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | Young Minds

Winston's Wish - Bereavement Support for Children

Young carers | Action For Children

Family Action: Supporting families at every age and stage of life

Support & advice for families | NSPCC

Online Safety

The online world provides wonderful opportunities for children to learn, communicate and explore, but helping children learn how to use technology safely and responsibly is an important part of safeguarding at Bexton.

Online safety is taught throughout our curriculum and children learn about issues including privacy, appropriate relationships and communication, recognising harmful or inappropriate content, reporting concerns and knowing where to go for help.

We also want to work alongside parents and carers as technology changes. Please see the Online Safety information and resources above for advice about keeping children safe online at home.

Our safeguarding policies and information

You can find further information about our safeguarding arrangements in the following policies which are in the policies section of our website.

• Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

• Online Safety Policy

• Behaviour Policy

• Anti-Bullying Policy / Information

• Attendance Policy

• Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions / First Aid

• Keeping Children Safe in Education

Working together to keep children safe

Safeguarding works best when school, families and children work together.

If something is worrying you about your own child, another child or your family circumstances, please talk to us.

You don't need to know exactly what help you need, and you don't need to wait until a problem becomes serious.

Our door is always open. We would always rather you share a worry than carry it alone.

Together, we can make sure every Bexton child feels safe, happy, listened to and ready to learn.

Together we can make a difference.