What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It means:

• Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
• Preventing harm to children’s health or development
• Ensuring children grow up with safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable all children and young people to achieve the best outcomes

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children who are identified as suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. This includes following child protection procedures, which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.

Our Commitment at The Meadows Primary

At The Meadows Primary, safeguarding is our highest priority. We strongly believe in:

• Empowerment – Supporting children to make informed decisions
• Prevention – Acting before harm occurs
• Proportionality – Responding appropriately to risk
• Protection – Supporting those in greatest need
• Partnership – Working together across professions and communities
• Accountability – Being responsible for all safeguarding actions

Safeguarding Responsibilities

We ask that all staff and visitors share responsibility for safeguarding our pupils. To ensure this, please follow these guidelines:

Mobile Phones and Devices

• Visitors must switch off mobile phones/devices when entering the school.
•  Staff must keep personal devices secure during lesson time and only use them in staff-only areas during breaks or non-contact time.

Photography and Recording

Photos, videos, or sound recordings of pupils are strictly prohibited unless permission has been granted by the school.

Working with Children

Volunteers should work in open spaces or rooms with an open door or visibility through a window.

Reporting Concerns

• If you have a concern about a child, speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs):
  1. • Angie Jones (Headteacher)
     • Sam Thomas (Deputy Head & SENDCo)
     • Tracey Evans (Learning Mentor)
     • Emma Miller (EYFS Lead)
     • Jennie Jeukens (KS1 Lead)
     • Jess Baggaley (KS2 Transition DSL)

If you have a concern about an adult in school, please speak to Mrs Angie Jones (Headteacher).

Always share concerns with school staff, no matter how small they may seem. Do not keep them to yourself.

If a child discloses something that may be a safeguarding concern:

• Listen carefully.
• Do not question the child or promise confidentiality.
• Act as above and, if possible, write down what was said immediately.
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For full details, please see our Safeguarding Policy in the Policies section.