Safeguarding
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Headteacher, Mrs C.Johnson head@weaver.cheshire.sch.uk
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs S. Daniels sdaniels@weaver.cheshire.sch.uk
Safeguarding at Weaver Primary School
At Weaver Primary School, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, where children feel secure and able to speak to a trusted adult if they have any worries or concerns.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. All members of staff receive regular safeguarding and child protection training and understand their responsibility to recognise, respond to and report concerns.
We work closely with children, families and where appropriate, external agencies to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.
Our Safeguarding Team
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Mrs Charlotte Johnson – Headteacher
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Mrs Shiona Daniels – Deputy Headteacher
Safeguarding Governor
Mrs Angela Beecher
Information for Parents and Carers
We have robust safeguarding procedures in place and work in partnership with parents, carers and external agencies to ensure children are protected and receive appropriate support.
Helping Children to Keep Themselves Safe
Safeguarding is an important part of our curriculum. We teach children, in an age-appropriate way, how to recognise risks, make safe choices and know what to do if something worries them.
Through our Relationships, Health and Wellbeing Education, PSHE curriculum, online safety teaching and wider school activities, children learn about:
- healthy and respectful relationships
- personal safety and appropriate boundaries
- safe and unsafe secrets
- bullying and cyberbullying
- online safety and responsible use of technology
- recognising unsafe or inappropriate behaviour
- how and where to seek help
We encourage children to talk openly about their worries and make sure they know that there are trusted adults in school who will listen to them and take their concerns seriously.
Working with Parents and Carers
We recognise that families can sometimes experience difficulties and may need additional help. Wherever possible, we aim to work openly and positively with parents and carers, offering support and signposting families to appropriate services.
Our priority will always be the safety and wellbeing of the child.
Our Duty to Safeguard
All staff and volunteers at Weaver Primary School have a responsibility to safeguard children and report concerns about a child's welfare to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
The four main categories of abuse are:
Physical Abuse | Emotional Abuse | Sexual Abuse | Neglect
Staff receive regular safeguarding training so that they understand how to recognise and respond to signs that a child may need help or protection.
Referrals to Children's Social Care
There may be occasions when the school has a safeguarding concern that needs to be shared with Children's Social Care or another appropriate agency.
Where appropriate, we will discuss our concerns with parents or carers before making a referral. However, there may be circumstances where informing a parent or carer could place a child at greater risk or compromise a safeguarding investigation. In these circumstances, a referral may be made without informing parents beforehand.
We understand that safeguarding concerns and referrals can be difficult for families. We will always seek to communicate sensitively and professionally while ensuring that the best interests and safety of the child remain paramount.
Working with Other Agencies
Safeguarding children requires effective partnership working. Where necessary, we work closely with professionals and agencies including Children's Social Care, the police, health services and specialist support services to ensure children and families receive appropriate support.
Online Safety
Keeping Children Safe Online
The internet provides children with many opportunities to learn, communicate and have fun. However, it is important that children understand how to use technology safely and responsibly.
At Weaver Primary School, online safety forms an important part of our safeguarding curriculum. We teach children how to recognise potential risks, protect their personal information, behave responsibly online and seek help if something makes them feel worried or uncomfortable.
We encourage parents and carers to take an active interest in their child's online activity. This includes talking regularly about the games, websites, social media platforms and apps they use and ensuring appropriate privacy and parental controls are in place.
If you are concerned about something your child has seen or experienced online:
- Talk to your child and reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you.
- Preserve appropriate evidence, such as usernames, messages or screenshots. Do not save, copy or share sexual images of children.
- Report and block concerning accounts or content using the platform's reporting tools.
Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism
As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, Weaver Primary School has a duty to protect children from the risk of radicalisation and extremism.
We support children to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to recognise and challenge harmful ideas and understand how to keep themselves safe, including when they are online.
If you are concerned about online material or an individual promoting terrorism or extremism, information can be reported to the police or through the UK Government's online reporting service.
Photographs and Videos
We recognise that parents and carers enjoy celebrating and capturing special moments in their children's school lives. At the same time, we have a responsibility to protect the privacy and safety of all children within our school community.
Photographs and videos taken by parents and carers at school events, such as performances, celebrations and sports days, should be for personal use only.
Where photography or filming is permitted, we ask parents and carers not to publish or share images or videos containing other people's children on social media, websites or other public platforms without the permission of their parents or carers.
There may be occasions when photography or filming is restricted or not permitted for safeguarding reasons. We ask all families to respect any instructions provided by the school.
Use of Photographs by School
We use photographs and videos to celebrate children's achievements and provide families with an insight into school life. Images may be used on school displays, in newsletters, on the school website and through other approved school communications.
On occasion, external organisations or the local press may be invited to photograph particular events or activities.
The school maintains a record of parental permissions regarding the use of children's photographs and videos. Parents and carers can review or change their preferences by contacting the school office.
Safeguarding will always take priority when deciding whether an image or video of a child can be taken, used or shared.
Operation Encompass
Weaver Primary School is an Operation Encompass school.
Operation Encompass is a partnership between the police and education settings designed to ensure that children and young people who experience domestic abuse receive timely and appropriate support.
Through Operation Encompass, our trained Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is notified by the police, usually before the start of the next school day, when the police have attended a domestic abuse incident involving a child or young person connected to our school.
Receiving this information promptly enables us to provide appropriate support for the child, ensuring that their wellbeing and individual needs are considered throughout the school day.
Further information is available from the Operation Encompass website. Operation Encompass
Helpful Links
Cheshire East Consultation Service (ChECS) Integrated Front Door – Cheshire East: 0300 123 5012 (Option 3, Option 2)
Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours): 0300 123 5022
Prevent Prevent Channel Referral Process
Cyber Prevent (concerns re online activity) referrals Cyber.Prevent@nwrocu.police.uk
Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub
Livewell- Directory for health, wellbeing, social care, family support, SEND, and local services in Cheshire East Livewell
Cheshire East Safeguarding Children Partnership (CESCP) provides information and guidance for parents and carers about keeping children safe. Cheshire East Safeguarding Children’s Partnership
NSPCC – Talk PANTS -Talk PANTS helps children understand that their body belongs to them, that they have a right to say no, and that they should talk to a safe and trusted adult if anything makes them feel worried or uncomfortable. The NSPCC provides useful information, videos and resources for parents and children, including the resources we use in school. NSPCC TALK PANTS
UK Safer Internet Centre – Advice and resources to help children and families use the internet safely and positively. Homepage - UK Safer Internet Centre
Childline provides free, confidential support and advice for children and young people. Children can contact Childline about any worry, however big or small. Telephone: 0800 1111
Mental Health Helpline: 0300 303 3972
Adult Safeguarding: 0300 123 5010