Safeguarding at St James:

We are committed to promoting the welfare of, and safeguarding all children at St James Church School and expect everyone to share this commitment.

In line with our safeguarding policy and statutory guidance we have clear procedures in school for responding to any concerns about a child's safety or well-being.

If you are concerned about a child's welfare or worried they are being abused please contact one of the safeguarding team in school.

Visiting or joining our school:

A member of staff ensures that the school gates are kept locked at specific times during the school day. All visitors access the site via an intercom / CCTV system and are asked to report to the main office via the front gate on Cranmer Road to sign in. Please be mindful that for everybody's safety, identification procedures will be carried out and all visitors asked to sign in and agree to our safeguarding procedures.

All members of staff are vetted against national safeguarding procedures before being allowed to work in school. At least one member of every interview panel has undertaken safer recruitment training to ensure that best practice and all necessary checks are carried out.

Safeguarding Statement:

“Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility”

Children have a right to be cared for and protected, protecting them is everyone’s responsibility. Here at St James Primary School we have a duty of care to ensure that all users of the school are kept safe from harm. We are committed to provide 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.

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, the school may signpost to services that are specialised to promote opportunity, prevent problems, act early and act effectively if and when concerns arise. Therefore, whilst we do not want to worry you, we will report to Children’s Social Care if we have any reason to believe that a child may be at risk of suffering abuse or neglect.

Parents/carers are normally our first point of contact, and if an indicator 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. When a referral is made to social care parents will be notified beforehand, except when guidance from social care or the police does not allow this.

We cannot safeguard children alone. All children’s services agencies work in partnership with each other. There are duties and rules about information sharing but if staff, parents or carers have any concerns about a child, other parent, provider, agency or any person, they have a responsibility to report those concerns and we must record and act on them We have a ‘St James Church School safeguarding /child protection policy’ which is underpinned by the Somerset Safeguarding Children's Partnership and the document “Working Together to Safeguard Children” and Safer Recruitment guidance. The policy applies to all children and young people regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or religion. It is a requirement that all users are informed of these policies and practice guidance and what they should do if they have concerns. The safeguarding policy is available from the school office and on the Policy link below.

If you have any concerns about the practice of our staff team please speak to the Headteacher.

What you can do:

Parents and carers play a role in safeguarding children in their community. If you have any concerns, no matter how small, you should report them to someone who you trust will listen. The school is required to have a designated child protection Lead for this purpose. Parents and children should speak to someone in the safeguarding team if they have any concerns about a child or staff member.

If you think a child or young person may be in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise contact Somerset Children’s Social Care via Somerset Direct on 0300 123 224 or make a referral via The Somerset Safeguarding Children's partnership Website via the link below.

Somerset Safeguarding Children's Partnership

E-Safety:

To find out more about how to keep your children safe online please select the link below.

E-Safety

Operation Topaz information:

Operation Topaz