Safeguarding Overview
Willow Bank school follows clear safeguarding policies, which ensure the safety of the pupils within our care. All staff and volunteers at the school are DBS checked and national Safer Recruitment regulations are strictly followed in appointing all staff. Health and Safety policies are in place and risk assessments are carried out rigorously, both with regard to events and activities within school and those carried out off-site. Designated staff are trained first aiders and all school minibus drivers have to undertake specialist training and undergo minibus testing.
Within the school, two senior members of staff are designated Child Protection officers and work with families, social services, and Children’s Disability Teams to ensure that our pupils are not at risk. All staff have been trained in child protection procedures and undergo regular refresher training.
What do we do?
The safeguarding team here at Willow Bank are here not only to help pupils but parents and others in the community. They are able to offer advice on a range of issues including;
- Child Welfare Concerns
- Pupils Attendance Issues
- Domestic Violence
- Substance Misuse
- Parents In Crisis
If you have any concerns or need help regarding issues in the community, contact our safeguarding staff.
The Willow Bank Safeguarding Team
Your first point of contact with any queries or concerns is Mr D Francis and Mr J McKune. They will be here to help and guide you with any queries you may have. They can be contacted on 01744 678 745. If for any reason they are unavailable, you will be directed to one of the other members of the team.
Members of the safeguarding team are:
| Mr J McKune | Leader Safeguarding and Engagement |
| Mr D Francis | Deputy Head |
| Mrs Y Hall | HLTA Pupil Parent Support |
| Mrs R Savage | Attendance and Family Support Officer |
The St Helens Safeguarding Children Partnership Board have their own website here: https://sthelenssafeguarding.org.uk/scp
All the information that schools, other professionals, parents, carers, and pupils may need is here.
There are many dedicated pages on the website, including pages with advice and policies and procedures, and has lots of other useful links and information regarding other issues such as internet safety, domestic violence, and counselling services.
Safeguarding Advice for Visitors and Volunteers
Here you can find all the Safeguarding Newsletters that we send out to parents and carers, with the latest information and news about how to keep your child safe. In addition please find below our Safeguarding Days / Theme Calendar at Willow Bank School.
Willow Bank Awareness Calendar 2022 2023
Safeguarding Newsletters
e-Safety
Children and young people may expose themselves to danger, whether knowingly or unknowingly, when using the Internet and other technologies. Additionally, some young people may find themselves involved in activities, which are inappropriate or possibly illegal.
Parents and schools therefore have major responsibility to educate and monitor the pupils; teaching them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to enable them to remain both safe and legal when using the Internet and related technologies. Such school provided education is a joint responsibility shared by members of the teaching staff and the PSHEE Co-ordinator.
When should you report to CEOP?
Has someone acted inappropriately towards you online, or to a child or young person you know? It may be sexual chat, being asked to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable or someone being insistent on meeting up. Click on the CEOP image above to make a report.
Safer Internet Day
Please see Safer Internet Day 2022 Parent and Carer resources Every classroom has a dedicated 'Safeguarding Children Notice Board'. The E-Safety policy is available on request.
The E-safety policy is supported by other policies that safeguard and promote the welfare and safety of children at Penkford School. These policies are:
- the Internet User Access Policy
- Guidance for Safer Working Practise for Adults who work with Children and Young People in Education.
- Safer Communication with Young People.
Further Information, Guidance and Help
Remove a nude image shared online | Childline
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a UK charity, are there to help remove nude images of under 18s posted online. Once IWF has confirmed your nude image is against the law and can be removed from the internet they give it a digital fingerprint, called a hash.
ThinkUKnow
All staff have training in protecting children online delivered by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection agency. Pupils can go to their teacher for advice and support. Alternatively, additional information and advice can be obtained for both pupils and their parents at the following link:
Here you or your child can gain information, play safety games or report abuse using the report abuse button. This will send your concerns straight to a member of staff at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre. This member of staff will treat your concerns very seriously and will contact you as soon as possible.
Please see our Think U Know Online Safety At Home Learning Activities on the Home Learning Tab for 15 minute activities you can do with your child.
Safe Secure Online guidance
https://swgfl.org.uk/resources/checklists/
Downloadable social media checklists to guide parents, carers and pupils through your profile settings to make sure you are safe.
Safeguarding at Willow Bank school also looks to promote pupil wellbeing including, where appropriate, having regard for their views and wishes. As such pupil voice is shared at the Pupil Safeguarding Council meetings.
Members of the Safeguarding Council
- Mr J McKune - Designated Safeguard Lead (DSL)
- KS2 Pupil - Year 5
- KS3 Pupil - Year 8 * 2
- KS4 Pupil - Year 10
Pupil Safeguarding Council Meeting Minutes
For a copy of the full safeguarding council minutes, please contact the DSL.
| Date of Meeting | Pupil Voice | Action |
| 06/02/2023 |
New ideas and suggestions at the new school site:-
Date off next meeting - tbc |
JMcK |