Safeguarding and Welfare

At Sythwood Primary & Nursery School we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.

We make every effort to provide an environment in which children and adults feel safe, secure, valued and respected and we believe that it is 'everyone's responsibility to safeguard children'.  We do our best to create a culture where children and staff feel confident to share any concerns they may have, in the knowledge that they will be listened to and their concerns will be taken seriously.

The purpose of our Child Protection Policy & Procedures, which can be found in our policies section, is to provide staff, volunteers and governors with the framework they need in order to keep children safe and secure in our school. The policy also informs parents and carers how we will safeguard their children whilst they are in our care.

Who to contact?

Mrs Michelle Jolly is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Sythwood Primary & Nursery School and can be reached on:

School Office 01483 770063 

Email jollym@sythwood.surrey.sch.uk / dsl@sythwood.surrey.sch.uk.

Other staff responsible for safeguarding are:

Mrs Nicola Matheson

Miss Emma Rashbrook

Miss Sarah Sadler 

 

The Designated Teacher for Looked After Children is Mr Alan Cumming, who can be reached on:

telephone: 01483 770063 or email: cumminga@sythwood.surrey.sch.uk

Please contact one of the above staff members if you have a safeguarding concern or wish to discuss a safeguarding matter.

Surrey Contact

If you have an immediate safeguarding concern for a child or young person you should contact the Surrey Children's Single Point of Access (C-SPA).

Tel:  0300 470 9100
Tel:  01483 517898 (out of hours hosted by the emergency duty team)

E-mail cspa@surreycc.gov.uk

Website https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/.../contact-childrens-services

Please contact 999 if you believe that a child or young person is at risk of immediate harm or danger and you require an urgent response.

Our safeguarding policy has been developed in line with statutory guidance: ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ 2018, Revised Safeguarding Statutory Guidance ‘Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families’ 2000' and ‘What to do if You Are Worried a Child is Being Abused’ 2015. It also reflects both statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education' 2024 (KCSIE), and Surrey Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB) Procedures. ·         

 

Surrey Safeguarding Children Board protocols, guidance and procedures

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018

        ‘What to do if you are worried a child is being abused’ 2015

Keeping children safe in education 2024

 

Please click on the Bourne Education Trust ‘Code of Conduct’ for more information about the standards of conduct expected by all members of staff at Sythwood Primary and Nursery School.

Medical Conditions

Sythwood School is an inclusive community that aims to support and welcome pupils with a large variety of medical conditions, providing these pupils the same opportunities as others at the school.

The school ensures:

·         All staff understand their duty of care to children and young people in the event of a medical emergency.

·         All staff feel confident in knowing what to do in an emergency.

·         All staff understand the common medical conditions that affect children at this school. Staff receive appropriate training on the impact medical conditions can have on children.

The school understands:

·         that certain medical conditions are serious and can be potentially life threatening, particularly if ill managed or misunderstood.

·         the importance of medication being taken as prescribed.

What is the procedure for medicines in school?

The office staff will do all they can to make sure every child receives the medicine, but they cannot guarantee to do this.  Parent/carers are always welcome to come into school to give their child the medicine.

If a child has been unwell and is on medication but parent/carers feel they are well enough to attend school, it may be possible for the school to administer their medication.

1.    Parent/carer brings the medication to the main office. It must be supplied in its original packaging and clearly labelled with the child’s name. We will not allow children to bring their medication to school- it must be an adult.

2.    Complete a Pupil Medication form with required medication dosage and times at which it should be administered. 

3.    The medication has to be collected by an adult once the course of medication is complete- it will not be given to a child to take home.

When staff believe a child has a high temperature and would benefit from a dose of Calpol, the parent/carer will be called and required to give verbal consent for us to administer Calpol. The school will not administer this if they are unable to contact the parent/carer.

Pupils with significant medical needs

Pupils with significant medical needs will have Health Care Plans drawn up in consultation with the parents.

For children with conditions requiring ongoing medication such as asthma, nut allergies, diabetes, medication is kept in the following areas: -

Auto injectors: 1 is kept in the Staff room and 1 kept in the class room. These medications are all held in named readily accessible boxes. All staff are aware of children with these conditions and ensure that their medication goes with them on school trips. Photo boards of these pupils are displayed in both staff rooms and kitchen preparation area.

Asthma inhalers: kept in the classroom at all times unless children are participating in PE/Sport or off site trips where the adults will take inhalers with them.  If a child suffers from asthma and needs to use an inhaler at school, we ask parent/carers to complete an asthma card (obtainable at the school office).  This card helps us to know the precise instructions for administering the medication to each child.  The card will be kept in the classroom with the child's inhaler(s). 

Diabetes – a specific health care plan is drawn up with parents and any medication is kept in the child's classroom. A fridge is avaliable in the classroom for the medication as outlined in the child's care plan. 

Asthma

What if my child has an accident or becomes ill at school?

The class teacher plays an important part in the physical well-being of the children and several of our staff are qualified in First Aid.  We can deal with many accidents quickly and easily in school. However, if there is a more serious injury (such as an injury to the head) or illness, we endeavour to contact the child's parents immediately. 

Reminder: It is important that we are informed of any changes to contact details immediately so that we can keep our records up to date and parent/carers can be contacted immediately if needed.

Medical Need Policy 

Mrs Michelle Jolly is our Safeguarding & Wellbeing Lead. She offers support and advice to our children and families at Sythwood Primary & Nursery School and can help signpost you to the correct support service for you or your children's needs.  Mrs Jolly is also the Senior Mental Health Lead at Sythood Primary School.

Miss Sarah Sadler is our Behaviour & SEMH Lead.  She offers support, guidance and advice with any behavioural or SEMH related concerns.

Wellbeing & SEMH support

Children with higher levels of emotional, behavioural, social, and school wellbeing, on average, have higher levels of academic achievement and are more engaged in school, both concurrently and in later years. Children with better emotional wellbeing make more progress in primary school and are more engaged in secondary school.

We understand the important part that schools can play in supporting pupil's wellbeing and mental health and we offer a tiered approach to providing SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) 'check ins' and interventions.  Our Wellbeing Support Process is attached below.

What other areas can we help with?

* Families who are experiencing times of change through separation, bereavement, illness or life's ongoing pressures.

* Families who are experiencing difficulty with children attending school regularly or at risk of EBSNA (Emotionally Based School Non Attendance)

* Children who are experiencing regular friendship issues 

* Children who have become anxious, withdrawn or unsettled

If you feel that your child is struggling emotionally in any way and would like some support, please speak to your child's class teacher, or contact Mrs Jolly or Miss Sadler on the main schol office number.

At Sythwood Primary and Nursery School

·       We recognise that life can be full of challenges and that we all need help, support or guidance at some point in our lives.

·       We recognise that sometimes the challenges that children & parents/carers face, may be, or feel, overwhelming

·       We recognise that early intervention or Early Help at these challenging times can help our children feel safe, supported and settled

·       We believe that Early Help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life

·       We know that providing Early Help is more effective in promoting the welfare and positive wellbeing of children, than reacting later.

 

At Sythwood we know that any child may benefit from Early Help.  We are also aware of the potential increase in need for those children who:

 

·       have a disability, certain health conditions or who have specific additional needs

·       have special educational needs (whether or not they have a statutory Education,Health and Care Plan)

·       are Young Carers

·       are showing signs of being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour, including gang involvement and association with organised crime groups

·       are frequently missing from home

·       are at risk of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation

·       are at risk of being radicalised or exploited

·       are in a family circumstance which presents challenges for the child, such as drug and alcohol misuse, adult mental health issues or domestic abuse

·       are misusing drugs or alcohol themselves

·       have returned home to their family from care

·       are privately fostered

·       have a parent/carer in custody

 

What ‘Early Help’ looks like at Sythwood

 

·       Social, emotional or mental health support for your child

·       Behaviour support

·       Bereavement support (signposting)

·       SEN support and advice

·       Targeted in school interventions

·       Financial support via Foodwise, Foodbank or signposting to other agencies

·       Referrals to outside ‘expert’ agencies

·       Early Help Assessments or Team Around the Family support

·       Graded Care Profile 2 to help identify specific needs and the best support plan

·       Links with Your Sanctuary & the Women’s Centre for domestic abuse support & counselling

 

If you think that your child would benefit from accessing ‘Early Help’ support in school or you would be interested in knowing more about how we can support you or your family, please contact:

Mrs Jolly, Safeguarding & Wellbeing Lead, on 01483 770063

Miss Sadler, Behaviour & SEMH Lead, on 01483 770063

Miss Gridley, SENCO, on 01483 770063

Alternatively you may like to contact Surrey's Family Help Hub which is a new service providing information, advice and support for families:

https://www.surreysfamilyhelphub.org.uk/

Or the Surrey Family Information Service which is an information and signposting service for families with children aged 0-25 years.

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/families

 

Our school is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces.

Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse.

As a school setting we have ensured that our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Michelle Jolly), known as a Key Adult, and our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads have been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the children in our care. 

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 identifies children who experience domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.

On 24 May 2024 Royal Assent was granted to The Victims and Prisoners Act. The Act placed Operation Encompass into Law. 

This places a statutory obligation on police forces to share Operation Encompass notifications with schools/educational settings.

We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and through Operation Encompass we will be able to provide the best possible support to our children

If you have any questions about Operation Encompass, or you would like to discuss this further, please contact school on 01483 770063 and ask to speak to Mrs Jolly or another member of the safeguarding team.

BET-Safeguarding-Guidelines-for-Contractors-and-Visitors.pdf

Please be aware that all contractors and visitors to our school will be expected to sign in at the main reception upon arrival, wear the appropriate visitor's lanyard which includes their photographic ID and will be expected to read and adhere to our Safeguarding Guidelines for Contractors and Visitors.