Safeguarding
"Relationships between adults and children are warm and supportive, and children are kept safe. As a result, children love coming to school, behave well and are developing well as happy and confident learners. All welfare and safety regulations for the early years are fully met."
Ofsted 2015
Oakley Vale Primary School believes that it is of the upmost importance to have good systems for protecting children and safeguarding their welfare. This means that all those who work with children in the school must be alert to possible concerns about every student and report these appropriately.
In order to protect our children, we aim to:
- Create an atmosphere where all our pupils can feel secure, valued and listened to
- Recognise signs and symptoms of abuse
- Respond quickly and effectively to cases of suspected abuse.
Our school will support all children by:
- Encouraging self-esteem and self-assertiveness whilst not condoning aggression or bullying
- Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within the academy
​Everyone working with our children should be aware that:
- 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 Senior Person (DSP) immediately
- If the DSPs are not available, the Principal should be contacted
- A disclosure of abuse or harm can be made at anytime (lesson times, break times, after school etc)
- Before outside agencies are invited into the academy to work with our children or to carry out work on the premises, staff are required to ensure that all relevant DBS checks and identification has been seen.
The Brooke Weston Trust policy for safeguarding children is to;
- Protect children from maltreatment;
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
- Ensure that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care;
- To take action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Reporting a Concern
If you have a concern that a child is being harmed or at risk of harm or you receive a disclosure (intentionally or unintentionally) you must contact either the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead in school to report a concern. Details of who to contact are below:
Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Julia Baulch jbaulch@oakleyvaleprimary.org
Deputy Safeguarding Leads:
Emma Goodwin (Principal) egoodwin@oakleyvaleprimary.org
Andy Buffham abuffham@oakleyvaleprimary.org
Becky Annetts bannetts@oakleyvaleprimary.org
Claire Johnson cjohnson@oakleyvaleprimary.org
Other Safeguarding Agencies:
The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
MASH can advise on whether a family needs early help or whether they meet the threshold for statutory child protection. Telephone: 0300 126 7000
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Northamptonshire
Designated Officer
Andy Smith
tel: 01604 367862
Designated Officer
Christine Lamb
tel: 01604 362633
Helpline for victims of sexual abuse in schools
Sexual abuse in any form is unacceptable.
A dedicated helpline is now open to support anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse.
The helpline is run by the NSPCC and will provide victims of abuse with the appropriate support, advice and onward action, including on contacting professionals or the police if they wish. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals too.
Telephone 0800 136 663, or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
More information can be found at INFORMATION ABOUT THE DFE/NSPCC
OVPS safeguarding and child protection guidance
Children's mental health guidance