Useful links and information for our families
If you are concerned that a child has experience, or is at risk of, harm, you can make a referral yourself to MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) through the link below, by calling 0345 155 1071 or by emailing mashsecure@devon.gov.uk
Safeguarding
Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection:
Mrs Sophie Kerswell
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads:
Mrs Jessica Hutchinson
Mrs Kayleigh Teeder
Here is the email address if you have any safeguarding concerns:
email: safeguarding.stmarys.buckfast@plymouthcast.com
At St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, Buckfast, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children entrusted in our care.
Staff working with children at St. Mary's, Buckfast, will maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff will always act in the best interests of the child, and if any member of our community has a safeguarding concern about any child or adult, they should act immediately.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
• Protecting children from maltreatment.
• Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development.
• Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Child protection refers:
• To the processes undertaken to protect children who have been identified as suffering or being at risk of suffering significant harm.
Our core safeguarding principles are:
Prevention:
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To provide a positive, supportive, safe culture where our children feel valued, listened to and heard.
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To provide a curriculum which includes pastoral opportunities for increasing self-awareness, self-esteem, social and emotional understanding, assertiveness, and decision making, so that children have a range of contacts and strategies to ensure their own protection and understand the importance of protecting others.
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To follow safer recruitment procedures.
Protection:
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To follow agreed procedures, ensuring all staff are trained and supported to recognise and respond appropriately, sensitively and without delay to protection and safeguarding concerns.
Support:
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For all children, parents and staff, and support with appropriate specific interventions for those who may be at risk of harm.
Working with parents and other agencies:
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To ensure timely, appropriate communications and actions are undertaken when safeguarding concerns arise.
SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY.
IF ANYTHING WORRIES YOU OR CONCERNS YOU, REPORT IT STRAIGHT AWAY.
If you have a concern that a child is being harmed or is at risk of harm, please contact a member of the safeguarding team as quickly as possible via the school office or by emailing at safeguarding.stmarysbuckfast@plymouthcast.com
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead /Officer (known as key Adult) prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved.
Information is shared with a school’s Key Adult (Designated Safeguarding Lead or Officer) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.