The vision for all children and young people in Dumfries and Galloway is that they should be safe, nurtured, healthy, achieving, active, respected, responsible and included. All children have the right to be protected and kept safe from harm (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child). We all have a part to play in this and in making sure that children and young people get the help they need when they need it. Dumfries and Galloway Council recognise that staff within schools and early childcare and education settings have a key role to play in keeping your child safe.

All staff within our schools and early childcare and education settings have been trained to be able to recognise when a child may be suffering from, or at risk of, harm and to listen to children if they want to talk to them about anything which might be worrying them. Each school and early childcare and education setting in Dumfries and Galloway has a senior member of staff who has overall responsibility for ensuring the protection of children within their school or establishment. They are called Child Protection Co-ordinators (CPC). If a member of staff does have a concern about any child s/he will discuss this with the Child Protection Co-ordinator who will decide what action might need to be taken to keep that child safe. This may involve talking to the child, other members of staff or other professionals who may be working with the child. The Child Protection Co-ordinator in our school is Mrs Gamble, and the Deputes are Miss MacRae, Mr McIlorum and Mrs Hooper in the primary and Mrs Douglas in the nursery.

Our Safeguarding, Child Protection and Wellbeing Policy was updated in September 2023 in line with local and national guidance, and can be read here: Calside Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy September 2023 We also discuss safeguarding in class with the children: this is linked to our work with Rights Respecting Schools, so that all our children understand that they have a right to be safe. The child-friendly guidance can be seen here: Pupil CP Poster Calside Sept 2023

If you have any concerns about a child, please contact Mrs Gamble on 01387 263594.