Safeguarding Information

Our first priority is the welfare and safety of our children, families and staff. We are committed to the highest standards in protecting and safeguarding at all times.  Please read the information below so that you are aware of how to raise any concerns that you may have about a child or adult.

Sometimes we 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 children are discussed with their parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that this would be contrary to their welfare.

All concerns must be raised with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)  - Mr R Blackburn or Deputy DSL - Mrs N Peach in the first instance, but remember, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and ANYONE can make a referral.

Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm.  It relates to all aspects of school life including:

• pupils’ health and safety
• the use of reasonable force
• meeting the needs of pupils with medical conditions
• providing first aid
• educational visits
• intimate care
• internet or e-safety
• appropriate arrangements to ensure school security, taking into account the local context.

Are you concerned that a child is being abused or neglected?

If you are concerned about a child and you feel they are being abused, neglected or at risk of abuse/neglect, then you should consider making a safeguarding child referral.

Contact School Safeguarding Advice Line for confidential advice and consultation. Monday to Friday 9.00 -17.00 please call: 01772 531196

If you are calling outside these hours please contact our Emergency Duty Team on 0300 123 6722.

You can contact the Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board by following this link: http://www.safeguardingpartnership.org.uk

Prevent Strategy

As part of our commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government's Prevent Strategy, and take guidance from Teaching Approaches to help build resilience to extremism.

The Prevent strategy is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists, supporting terrorism, fundamentalism or extremist behaviours. It:-

• responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views
• provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support
• works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health).

Report a concern

Across the whole school curriculum and community we work to ensure we actively promote life in Modern Britain and ensure all our children are aware of individual liberty, democracy, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and finally rule of law.

Concerns about the views of a child expressed in school are recorded and returned to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. If you are worried or concerned about comments made at home or worried about a child, please contact the DSLs mentioned above. 

According to concerns received the following may be contacted:

• Local Authority Prevent team: 01254 585 260 or email Prevent.Team@Blackburn.gov.uk
• Police Prevent Team: 01772 413398
• if you think a threat is imminent call the police on 999
• alternatively contact the police confidentially on the Anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321
• report your concerns to concern@lancashire.pnn.police.uk

 Concerns are also logged with the Preventing extremism in schools and children's services helpline

Email : counter.extremism@education.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 7340 7264

Educate Against Hate - Prevent Radicalisation & Extremism

Trust Me | Childnet

Prevent for Schools 

Counter-Extremism (lgfl.org.uk) 

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Whalley School is part of Operation Encompass

How does Operation Encompass work?

When the police attend an incident of domestic abuse, vulnerable child or any missing investigation involving children (even if they were not present at the time), key information about it will be shared in the strictest confidence with a designated member of staff at the School or College.

This information is sent by the Police electronically to the School or College the child/children attend who are then able to provide the young person with immediate support to complement existing safeguarding measures.