WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE WORRIED
ABOUT A CHILD
You can talk to a member of staff or contact one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads directly.
Our door is always open.
Alternatively, you can speak anonymously to a trained counsellor for information and advice at the NSPCC (National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children). Whether you want to report something, they are able to listen, offer advice and support and can take the next steps if a child's in danger. They can be contacted by :
If you have urgent and significant concerns about a child and need support from a social worker, please contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on:
It's never too soon to talk.
And what you share could make a life-changing
difference to a child.
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WHAT WE DO IN SCHOOL TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE
‘Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, every day’
At William Lilley Infant & Nursery School the health, safety and wellbeing of all of our children is our highest priority. Parents and families send their children to our school each day, trusting us to provide a secure and nurturing environment in which their children will grow and achieve. We do everything we can to ensure that this expectation is a reality in our school.
This page is all about safeguarding our children – keeping them safe in every way within our community, and helping them to learn about how they can keep themselves safe. We have a wide range of measures in place to ensure the safety of our pupils.
For more information about our approach to safeguarding or to raise any concerns you may have, please contact the School:
office18@williamlilley.notts.sch.uk
0115 917 9277
Either email, call or text, ensuring you leave your child's name and your contact details and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as we can.
The designated adults for Child Protection/Safeguarding are Mrs Sally Beardsley, Miss Trudy McMahon, Mrs Helen Jeffery and Mrs Vickie Yard. The designated safeguarding governor is Mrs Anthea Tainton.
All staff and certain governors have had appropriate child protection training, which is updated at least every three years.
We follow the Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership guidance and we have systems in place to share concerns regarding children’s welfare with the designated person, with parents and with relevant external agencies. Part of our legal duty to safeguard our children may also include us needing to consult specifically with and take advice from, the Police or Children’s Social Care, should the need arise. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Below we have provided an overview of the key areas of our Safeguarding practice. These are presented in alphabetical order to provide a directory, and are not an exhaustive or priority led list. For more information about these and other aspects of our clear and rigorous procedures, please see the Child Protection Policy by clicking on the link or contact one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads. An Executive Summary can also be viewed by clicking on the link below.
Whole School Child Protection Policy and Executive Summary
Allegations of abuse by or complaints of a staff member
All allegations of abuse by or complaints of a teacher will be dealt with following clear procedures, initially by the Head teacher. For any complaints about the Head teacher, the Chair of Governors should be contacted directly. If members of staff ever have any concerns about people working within the school, paid or unpaid, they have a professional duty to inform the Head teacher or Governing body accordingly. This can be done in writing or verbally but staff should be prepared to discuss issues in the confidence that any such matter will be dealt with sensitively and with the highest appropriate level of confidentiality. For more information, please see our complaints policy by clicking on the link at the bottom of page. There is also the option for staff who do not feel able to raise concerns internally, advice and support can be accessed through the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline tel.ph.no 0800 028 0285.
Attendance
Excellent attendance is expected of all children. However, in the event that a child is unwell, parents are asked to report absence by 9.15 am on the day using our school office number 0115 917 9277, email office18@williamlilley.notts.sch.uk or text message. As part of our safeguarding procedures, if we have not been informed of the reason for your child’s absence we will contact you to ascertain why they are not in school. On the rare occasions where a child’s attendance and punctuality causes concern, the school may work closely with families and our Educational Welfare Officer to bring about improvements. Attendance rates are reported each term to the LA, annually to the government, and to all parents regularly through our assemblies, newsletters, individual correspondence and website. Positive systems are in place to encourage children to attend regularly and punctually. In exceptional circumstances, leave of absence may be requested in writing by submitting a request form at the school office, explaining in detail what the exceptional circumstances are. Please see our attendance policy by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.
Appointment and induction of staff, work placements, volunteers and supply staff
Bullying
It is the responsibility of the whole school to ensure that school is a bully free zone. We are proactive in promoting a caring and positive ethos between all members of the school community. We have an anti-bullying policy with very clear procedures in place in the event of an incident involving bullying. We follow the SCARF Coram Life Education programme (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience and Friendship) and every half term there is a new topic that the whole school focus on through circle time, discussion groups and school assemblies. The school’s response to accusations of bullying thus is unequivocal. We do not tolerate bullying in our school community, and as soon as we are aware of an issue, we act promptly and effectively. Adults must be informed immediately and action will be taken. Our children know that we pride ourselves on being a ‘listening school’. If any child tells us that they feel they are being bullied, they know that we will support them and deal with the problem very quickly. Although accusations of bullying in this school are rare, the school always acts swiftly with a process of investigation, communication and action. Bullies will not be tolerated.
Collecting your child during the school day
Please try and make appointments out of school hours if possible. If you have to collect your child during the school day for a medical or dental appointment, please write a note to the class teacher or let the office staff know.
Consents
William Lilley Infant & Nursery School will gain consent for the use of any children's image for display and use on the website as set out in our GDPR policies. Parents can change their preferences at any time by requesting a consent form from the office.
Curriculum Design
The curriculum deals with safeguarding in two key ways:
Early Help Assessment Form (EHAF)
If the school or parents identify a child may need some additional support academically or emotionally an Early Help Assessment may take place by completion of an Early Help Assessment Form (EHAF). An EHAF is a document, written in consultation with the child’s family and key members of staff and records a child’s strengths and areas of need. Within the EHAF, key actions regarding the child’s provision and care are recorded and the support and advice of other services maybe requested to ensure that the family and school are in the best possible position to safeguard the child’s well-being. As part of the Early Help process, key members of staff will meet regularly with parents/carers to monitor the impact of the planned support package along with the child’s progress towards set targets. At these meetings, support arrangements will be reviewed and revised accordingly. This EHAF may also be shared with the Early Help Unit who provide information and advice, and may signpost professionals and families on to other services.
Equal Opportunities
At William Lilley Infant & Nursery School we work to ensure that everyone is treated fairly. All children are given equal access to the school and its curriculum and all are considered equal in the learning partnership.
When children have special needs we make arrangements to inform parents and design specific programmes. We ensure that the outcomes for all groups of children allow them to reach their full potential.
Children with physical needs and disabilities must be able to take a full and active part in every lesson and activity, and every measure is taken to ensure this.
E-Safety/Online Safety
E-Safety is taught alongside computer skills throughout a child's time at William Lilley. We take cyber safety very seriously at William Lilley. We have filtering systems in place to prevent children at school accessing websites considered to be unsafe or inappropriate, and encourage parents and carers to be aware of the online material and websites that their children are accessing at home. At Key Stage 1 children learn the importance of keeping their personal details private and safe and how to behave politely and responsibly online. Children also learn to tell a trusted adult if they don't like what they see online. Pupils are never left unattended whilst online and teachers ensure that this does not happen. If any adult or child suspects misuse, either by a child or teacher, the issue must be reported to the Head teacher without delay. For more information about E-safety please click on the link below.
Fire Drill
Our fire bells are tested weekly and a fire drill is held each term to ensure the swift evacuation of the building, as well as practicing swift evacuation procedures. The school conducts an annual Fire Risk Assessment.
First Aid
We have key trained certificated members of staff, designated to oversee first aid and there are a number of first aid kits situated around school. If your child becomes ill during the day they will be monitored and we will telephone you if we feel it is necessary to do so. Any cuts and grazes resulting from normal play in the playground will be dealt with by our first aid trained staff. Any bumps on the head will be reported to the child’s teacher and parents / carers will also be notified.
Health and Safety
If your child is ill
Please keep them at home and notify us by 9.15am on the first day of any absence so that we know they are safely at home with you. We have a policy of contacting parents / carers if we haven’t received a message by 9.15am.
Jewellery
For the sake of safety we request that jewellery should not be worn to school, with the exception of small stud earrings and watches. The Local Authority regulations state that all jewellery must be removed for P.E.
Medicines
Medication can only be administered by school staff if it is prescribed four times a day. We ask parents to complete and sign an Administration of Medication form held at the School Office before we are able to do this. Medicine and tablets must never be given to a child to be brought into school. Please advise the school if there are any changes to your child’s health which the school should know about. For more information, please see our policy by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.
No Smoking Area
Our school building and grounds are designated No Smoking areas so we ask for your co-operation in extinguishing cigarettes before entering the site.
Physical restraint
This school follows advice that physical restraint may be used if there is the possibility that a child may be about to cause harm to him/ herself or to another. On no occasion will any form of physical contact be used as a punishment. The Head teacher and Deputy Head teacher, Nursery Teacher and all Teaching Assistants have been trained in safe handling techniques.
Positive Behaviour
Good behaviour is essential in any community and we have high expectations for this. Our Behaviour Policy (viewed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page) shows our strong emphasis on positive approaches, but also our clear boundaries in responding to behaviour choices that threaten the learning, wellbeing or safety of others.
Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism
In line with the DfE’s Prevent Duty advice (June 2015), we are committed to actively promoting the fundamental British Values of Democracy, the Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with different Faiths and Beliefs. Our school community embraces and celebrates diversity. We place a strong emphasis on the common values that all communities share such as self-respect, tolerance and the sanctity of life. We work hard to broaden our children’s experience, to prepare them for life and work in contemporary Britain. We teach them to respect and value the diversity around them as well as understanding how to make safe, well-considered decisions. We recognise that we have a responsibility to protect children from all forms of extremism and this forms an integral part of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. This includes the use of internet filtering systems in school, to ensure children are safe from extremist material when using the internet. If you have any concerns regarding radicalisation and extremism, please contact one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads at the school.
Recording and Reporting Racist Incidents
Under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and Home Office Code of Practice on reporting and recording racist incidents (2000), schools are required to record and investigate all racist incidents and to report them to the Local Authority on a regular basis. Definition of a racist incident: as recommended in the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report 1999: ‘A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person.’
Risk Assessments and School Trips
All school trips involve the undertaking of a risk assessment
Road Safety
We ask parents / carers to support us and ease traffic congestion by walking your child to school, or by encouraging them to scoot or cycle; this provides an ideal opportunity to teach your child about road safety and traffic awareness. Zig-Zag lines are in force around the school so, if you do travel by car, please park well away from the school entrance for the sake of the safety of our pupils.
Safety in the playground
Before and after school
Parents/carers are responsible for children in playground before the bell rings.
Please do not allow your children to ride bikes or scooters once in the playground at the beginning or end of the school day.
Please do not bring dogs onto the school premises.
During school hours
We have very clear rules about behaviour and use of play equipment in the playground. Supervising adults are outside with the children every playtime nd lunch time to help ensure that playtimes are a happy time for all children.
Site Security
The school was built with security of pupils and staff in mind including:
Perimeter fencing and gates
A sophisticated intruder alarm
A modern effective fire alarm system
Locked internal gates, ensuring children are secure within our grounds.
Door entry system and signing in procedure for all visitors and staff
All staff wear ID badges at all times
Although we want to have an open door policy we must balance this against the safety of pupils and staff and we request that parents / carers respect this. William Lilley Infant & Nursery School is a secure site with door access control. We have clear routines and procedures in place and the whole school community has a responsibility to help us maintain security. Our children and parents are crucial to this process and we encourage you to report any concerns to the school office. We take great care to maintain a secure site around the perimeter of the school and all children are supervised at all times.
Visiting the school
We confirm that all visitors with a professional role – eg supply teachers, the School Nurse or members of the police – have relevant clearance. Students who work within our school community also have their DBS clearance confirmed. Anyone who spends time in school without this confirmation will be accompanied at all times. Any visitor to the school must sign in and out as a visitor and wear their badge at all times. Our staff are trained to challenge anyone not following this practice.
What to do if you are worried about domestic violence
Please see the links and contacts below for help and support for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire people experiencing domestic and sexual violence. They also provide advice for members of the public who are concerned for people experiencing domestic abuse.
Nottinghamshire Women's Aid
Juno Women's Aid
Domestic Abuse Service for Men