Safeguarding at Broomhill

Safeguarding means keeping your child happy, healthy and safe in school. 

Who is responsible for safeguarding?

Broomhill First School is committed to safeguarding and everyone is responsible for ensuring high standards of pupil behaviour, safety and welfare. All staff and governors are trained at regular intervals and are aware of how to keep our pupils safe and what signs to look out for.  Our pupils are encouraged to share any concerns and we have robust policies and processes in place that underpin safeguarding.

Across school, we have a culture of vigilance.

Mr. Jonathan Smith is the Designated Safeguarding Lead at Broomhill First School.

The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead was specified in the Children Act 2004 and ensured that every organisation had a "named person" for safeguarding children and young people. Prior to that, the role had frequently been known as the Child Protection Officer. The Designated Safeguarding Lead has a responsibility at both a strategic level within the organisation and on a day to day basis.

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs. Elaine Haves and Mrs. Katie Palmer.

Our Governors with responsibility for safeguarding are Miss Elizabeth Pink and Mrs. Ami Hall. Both our our governors have a wealth of safeguarding experience linked to their respective careers in education and medicine.

What if I have a safeguarding concern?

If you have concern that a child is being harmed as a result of abuse or neglect, you must not keep these concerns to yourself.  Concerns are recorded, raised immediately and then discussed within the Safeguarding Team to identify the appropriate support/action.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

If you are concerned about a child or young person, please discuss your concerns with one of the above immediately.

Alternatively, if you are concerned about a child or adult’s welfare who lives in Northumberland, please use the following contact details.

Northumberland OneCall : 01670 536 400 or email: onecall@northumberland.gov.uk

To report a concern about a child CLICK HERE

To report a concern about an adult CLICK HERE

To report a concern about a hate crime, domestic abuse or antisocial behaviour CLICK HERE

The Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) is Carol Glasper (email: Carol.Glasper@northumberland.gov.uk or LADO@northumberland.gov.uk; Telephone: 01670 623 979)

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) works within Children's Services and gives advice and guidance to employers, organisations and other individuals who have concerns about the behaviour of an adult who works with children and young people.

Onecall is one number for all children's services, adult social care and community health enquiries in Northumberland. Helping the most vulnerable people to keep safe and well 24-7. 

Onecall brings together staff from Northumberland County Council’s adult social care and children’s services, and partners in Northumbria Police. Our priority is providing help at the earliest opportunity before the situation becomes more serious.

When do I use it?

Onecall aims to help the most vulnerable people to keep safe and well 24 -7.
For example if you need help with:
•    Living safely and independently at home
•    Looking after someone who is ill or disabled
•    Caring for a child or young person
•    Family support if you are concerned about a child or young person
•    Reporting abuse or neglect of a child or adult
•    Finding alternatives if you can’t live at home
•    Recovering from an illness or injury at home

If you need medical advice and support fast, but it’s not life threatening, call your GP or NHS 111.

You should always call 999 in an emergency -for example when someone’s life is at risk or someone is seriously injured or critically ill.

Effective safeguarding of children can only be achieved by making sure that children are at the centre of the system. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play. At Broomhill First School, we know and understand that we all have responsibility for promoting the welfare of children, protecting them from harm and working to ensure that all children have the best outcomes. We believe our calm, consistent approach allied to our experience, expertise and close relationship with parents, ensures that Broomhill First School is a school were children feel both safe and valued.

 Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children can be defined in four broad areas:

  • protecting children from maltreatment;
  • preventing impairment of children's health or development;
  • ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
  • taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

RECRUITMENT

We carefully check that all staff and volunteers are safe to work with our children. A number of checks are made including DBS checks, references, ID and employment history.  We keep a Single Central Record of all this information and this is regularly monitored.

Visitors and volunteers are rigorously checked in much the same way staff are before they can have any unsupervised access to our children.  Any visitors or contractors on site have to read the Safeguarding Information Leaflet before being signed into the building.  All adults in school wear an ID badge.

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue across the UK. Hidden from view and going unnoticed, vulnerable young girls and boys are groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatised and scarred for life.  

If you think that a child is in immediate danger please dial 999. If you are a child or young person who needs help, please call Childline on 0800 11 11. 

Alternatively, please call 0808 800 5000 to discuss your concerns with the NSPCC 24 Hour Child Protection Helpline.