Our Safeguarding Statement: reviewed 3rd September 2023
Whiston Junior and Infant School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We have a number of policies, risk assessments (including COVID-19) and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which can be viewed below.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare. 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.
We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Tina Angell (Headteacher). Contact via school telephone number@ 01709 828189/ t.angell@wji.wwpat.org
Mr Angell is also the lead person for Digital Safety and for Looked after children
Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are:
Mrs Rachel Thomson-Plant (Assistant Head)
Miss Sarah Meaburn (Deputy Head Teacher)
The Trust Lead with responsibility for safeguarding for our Trust is our CEO: Kate Davies
Please use our school telephone number or school email to contact any of the Deputy DSLs or our CEO.
Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership
- Homepage – Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership (rscp.org.uk)
- Parents and carers – Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership (rscp.org.uk)
Photographs and Videos
Whilst lots of parents and carers really enjoy seeing photos and videos of their children’s school life we are very mindful of our duty of care towards all our pupils. We take the issue of safeguarding very seriously and this includes the use of photographic and video images. Any photographs or videos taken by parents, carers and relatives at school productions, sports days or other events are for the enjoyment of individual families. They must not be used in any way that could potentially place a child at risk. This would include publishing images in any form of print or on the internet including social networking sites. This is emphasised before concerts and shows etc and where practical a record of parents and relatives taking photographs or videos is made.
We understand that in exceptional circumstances a parent or carer may not wish their child to be photographed or videoed in this way. If this is the case then please contact the headteacher to discuss how this can be best achieved or state your preference on the GDPR consent form.
Occasionally, the local press will be invited to take photographs of school events and special achievements. We like to use photographs of our children on our website, in school documents, for parent information meetings, newsletters and on our display screens around the school. If you do not wish photographs of your child to be used for these purposes, then please contact the Headteacher.
To view all our school policies including our safeguarding Policy, please visit: Whiston Junior and Infant School - School Policies (whistonjunior-infant.co.uk)
To keep updated with all the latest safeguarding legislation including the most recent Keeping Children safe in Education, please visit:
The NSPCC PANTS Rule
The Underwear Rule - PANTS
The NSPCC helps parents and carers talk to their children about staying safe. It’s part of our work to prevent abuse from happening to any child. And it’s what this guide is all about. Conversations, like crossing the road safely, bullying and dealing with strangers, are subjects that you and your child might talk about. But what about staying safe from sexual abuse? It’s a conversation no parent wants to have, but thankfully it doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, you don’t even have to mention ‘sexual abuse’. Simple
conversations really can help keep your child safe, and that’s what – within the booklet attached – the NSPCC will help you do.
The Underwear Rule is a simple way to help keep children safe from abuse. It teaches children that their body belongs to them, they have a right to say no, and that they should tell an adult if they’re upset or worried.
Look at the resources and the Youtube clip above to find out how we teach this rule in schoolin the summer termm to help safeguard all children.
Private Fostering - Rotherham Safeguarding Partnership
A private fostering arrangement is one that is made without the involvement of a Local Authority for the care of a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) by someone other than a parent or close relative for 28 days or more. A close relative is defined as "a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether of the full blood or half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) or step-parent.
Children’s Social Care Service has a legal responsibility to ensure that the welfare of children who are, or are proposed to be privately fostered within the Borough is being, or will be satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted, as detailed in the Children Act (1989), the Children Act (2004), and The Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005.
Privately fostered children are a diverse and sometimes vulnerable group which includes:
- A child who is living with a friend’s family as a result of parental separation, divorce or arguments at home;
- Teenagers who are living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend;
- A child whose parent’s study or work involves unsociable hours and they are unable to use ordinary day care;
- A child who has been sent to this country for education or health care by birth parents living overseas;
- Asylum-seeking and refugee children over the age of 16 years (N.B.: Asylum seeking and refugee children should not be privately fostered if they are under the age of 16);
- Teenagers who, having broken ties with their parents, are staying in short–term arrangements with friends or other non-relatives;
- Language students living with host families.
rotherhamscb.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_priv_fost.html
Guidance for parents on the Prevent Agenda
Parent information on keeping children safe
Parent information to help keep children safe
THe Designated Safeguarding Lead Officer (DSL) is Mrs Tina Angell.
Mrs Angell is also the lead person for Looked After Children (LAC) and for Digital Safety.
If you have any concerns related to any child in school please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Angell.
School number 01709 828189 or ask for an appointment at the school office.
Email direct: t.angell@wji.wwpat.org
If Mrs Angell isn't available, please contact one of our Deputy safeguarding leads above on 01709 828189
