Safeguarding 

Our safeguarding policy applies to all staff, students, volunteers (including parents/carers) and any other adult working with or supporting the school. This policy has been written on the basis of a range of guidance that seeks to protect children.

Aims

• To protect and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children in Easter Carmuirs Primary School and ELC Class.
• To provide all staff and adults with the necessary information that guides our approach to safeguarding and child protection.

Easter Carmuirs staff will do this by:

• Creating and maintaining a positive, inclusive and nurturing ethos.
• Developing health and personal safety programmes.
• Being observant of children’s needs, views and concerns.
• Reporting and recording concerns about the welfare or safety of children.
• Monitoring and supporting children in co-operation with relevant professionals, parents and carers.

In Easter Carmuirs Primary School and ELC, we recognise that:

• All children regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or sexuality have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
• Some children are additionally vulnerable due to the impact of previous or current experiences, additional support needs, communication needs or other issues.
• Working in partnership with children, parents/carers and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare and wellbeing of all children.

We strive to keep our children safe by:

• Ensuring the vigilance of all staff in responding to or reporting welfare or child protection concerns to the Child Protection Co-ordinator (Shelagh Todd HT) or Depute Child Protection Co-ordinator (Kenny Stewart DHT).
• When children disclose information of a concerning nature, ensuring all staff treat issues sensitively and confidentially and refrain from asking leading questions.
• Valuing them and respecting them in line with our school’s vision, values and aims.
• Providing our children with regular opportunities to develop their understanding of safety issues in relation to the 8 wellbeing indicators including e-safety, anti-bullying and equality working with relevant agencies / organisations as appropriate.
• Teaching, encouraging and supporting our children to be confident individuals and equipping them with the skills and strategies to communicate effectively and seek help when needed.
• Tracking all pupils regularly and rigorously in line with GIRFEC policy to ensure that vulnerable pupils are identified and that the needs of pupils are met through effective support, including multi agency support where appropriate.
• Monitoring the training of staff in Child Protection procedures, particularly new staff.
• Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring that all necessary checks are made.
• Communicating with and sharing concerns and relevant information with agencies, involving parents/carers and children appropriately.
• Developing positive and trusting relationships with children and their families, where both feel listened to and respected.
• Ensuring that we have effective complaints procedures in place and that we respond to any concerns or complaints quickly and positively and that these are logged.
• Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, staff and visitors by applying health and safety measures in accordance with law and regulatory guidance.

Child Protection