‘Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children.’

Keeping Children Safe in Education

At Wheatcroft Community Primary School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an environment where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive. Our culture of vigilance, strong relationships and professional curiosity ensures safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, every day.

We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, staff and visitors. We promote a 'speak up' culture where students and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.

We follow the DfE guidance from:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Working Together to Safeguard Children

Our Safeguarding Team

Mrs Kirby is Wheatcroft School’s Designated Safeguarding Leader (DSL).

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DDSLs) are:

• Miss M Glass – SENCo

• Mr O Levett – Deputy Head teacher

• The Designated Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding is Mrs Thompson.

The DSL (designated safeguarding lead) is responsible for leading and coordinating all safeguarding and child protection arrangements within our school.

As a safeguarding team we:

• ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented effectively
• provide advice and support to staff when managing concerns about the welfare of children
• make appropriate referrals to external agencies when required
• promote a culture of vigilance
• ensures safeguarding training is up-to-date
• maintains accurate and confidential records
• works collaboratively with families and partner agencies in the interests of pupil safety and well-being

• Contact information for the Chair of governors is available from the School Office Manager on 01723 375704

Together, our safeguarding team works in partnership to ensure that concerns are identified early, support is coordinated effectively, and the wellbeing of every child remains central to all decisions.

Our commitment to Safeguarding:

Safer Recruitment
To promote a safe environment, all staff and regular volunteers are subject to appropriate statutory checks, including enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks, in line with national guidance.

Training
All staff receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role, ranging from basic awareness for all staff to advanced training for safeguarding leaders. Governors also receive safeguarding training. Records of all training are maintained and monitored. All adults working in school receive high-quality safeguarding training, including contextual safeguarding, early help, online safety, and managing low-level concerns. Regular updates, scenario discussions and briefings ensure staff remain confident and consistent in applying safeguarding procedures.

Children at the Centre of Decision-Making                                                                                                                    Our approach is rooted in listening to children. We actively seek the voice of the child through our daily interactions. Staff know pupils well and identify changes in behaviour, mood or attendance quickly, ensuring timely support.

Reporting Concerns
All safeguarding concerns are reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a Deputy DSL. Staff are required to record concerns promptly using the school’s safeguarding recording system (CPOMS). All records are stored securely and monitored to ensure concerns are followed up appropriately and in a timely way, in line with government guidance on information sharing.

Attendance and Safeguarding
Attendance is monitored closely. Concerns are shared as appropriate with parents and carers and, when necessary, with external agencies including Children’s Services and Early Help.

Safeguarding through the Curriculum                                                                                                                                Our curriculum teaches pupils how to keep themselves safe — online, in relationships and in the wider community. Children are encouraged to speak freely to trusted adults.

Working in Partnership                                                                                                                                                     We work closely with parents, carers and external agencies to ensure children receive the right help at the right time. Our early help offer is strong, proactive and personalised, with pastoral support available for children and families who may be experiencing difficulties.

Operation Encompass                                                                                                                                                          We are a part of Operation Encompass. This means we receive information from the police about domestic abuse incidents where a child has been present or involved. This allows us to provide timely, sensitive support to children who may be affected.

Continuous Improvement                                                                                                                                                        We constantly reflect on our practice, using training, audits, pupil voice and external guidance to strengthen our approach. We learn from national developments and local safeguarding priorities to ensure our provision remains responsive and effective.