Safeguarding & Child Protection
At Upton Primary school the health, safety and well-being of every child is our absolute priority. We expect all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils.
We listen actively to our pupils, parents and staff and take seriously what they tell us. No concern is too small and all school staff are trained in Child Protection. Children are made aware that they can talk to any adult if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSLs):
Louisa Baines - Lead DSL
Noel Toledano and April Robinson - Deputy DSLs
The school uses an internal system, C-Poms, to ensure any concerns are carefully and confidentially recorded, that the appropriate information is shared with staff responsible and that DSLs consult with parents and carers actively.
The procedures that we follow have been guided by experience, the Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1101457/KCSIE_2022_Part_One.pdf) frequent professional training and the Bexley Safeguarding Partnership (S.H.I.E.L.D). The school has adopted a Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy in line with this, for the safety of all. On rare occasions our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other professional agencies. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed with parent/carers first, before any referrals are made, unless we believe that such an action may be contrary to a child’s welfare and/or under formal advice from Social Care, Police or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
The Designated Person for Looked After Children (LAC) and Post Looked After Children (PLAC) is Noel Toledano.
The Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy is available here in our policies page.
If you are concerned about the safety of a child, please contact the school office immediately and state that you wish to speak to the DSL on a safeguarding matter.
