‘Please keep me safe.’
This simple but profoundly important hope is the very minimum upon which every child and young person should be able to depend.
Lord Laming 2009
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined in KCSiE 2024 as:
Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.
What is Child Protection?
Child Protection is part of Safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.
All our staff team understand safeguarding to be of the highest importance and they know that their vigilance of the children and of the adults is critical. All staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and their responsibility for referring any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (or in their absence the Deputy Safeguarding Lead). We are committed to the provision of child protection training for all our staff.
Safeguarding issues are regularly discussed at Governors and Staff Meetings and we work closely with a range of outside agencies, including Children’s Social Care.
For more information please read our Safeguarding policy. This policy applies to all staff, governors, professionals and volunteers working in our school.
If you are ever concerned about the safety or well‐being of someone at our school, please talk the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Children have a right to be cared for and protected, protecting them is everyone’s responsibility. At Mawnan we have a duty of care to ensure that everyone is safe from harm. We are extremely committed to providing a secure and supportive environment in which children can develop and grow into mature and responsible people. Safeguarding children is an essential part of our holistic approach to ensure that children are protected from abuse and neglect and that every child reaches their full potential. We will take appropriate action if we have concerns about a child’s physical, emotional or social well-being and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns.
All school must follow Keeping Children Safe in Education. This mandatory national guidance focusses on the school and the governor’s role in keeping children safe. This guidance is integral in our safeguarding policies and all safeguarding aspects of the school.
The school’s staff, volunteers and service providers have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children as a shared responsibility with parents and other carers. To support this statement, we may signpost to services that are specialised to promote opportunity, prevent problems, act early and act effectively if and when concerns arise.
Parents/carers are normally our first point of contact, and if a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents/carers will be informed at the same time that the record is made; we will support parents/carers and ensure we work in collaboration with them to protect children.
Everyone working at Mawnan understands:
Their role is to listen and note carefully any observations which could indicate abuse.
They should not attempt to investigate once the initial concern is raised
They should involve the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately
If the DSL is not available the Deputy DSL should be contacted.
Disclosures of abuse or harm from children may be made at any time.
If there are any concerns about a member of staff, this must be shared with the Head Teacher.
Our Safeguarding Team:
If you are concerned about the welfare of any child or vulnerable adult then please discuss this with the DSL or Deputy DSL.
Designated Senior Person for Safeguarding Children: Jilly Pridmore
Deputy Senior Person for Safeguarding Children: Jen Law
Nominated Governor responsible for Safeguarding : Helen Trelease
Contact Numbers
For urgent Child Protection/Safeguarding advice:
Multi Agency Referral Unit (MARU) - 0300 1231 116 (phone lines are open for 24hrs a day)
Referral email address: multiagencyreferralunit@cornwall.gov.uk