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Gorseybrigg Primary School and Nursery

Safeguarding advice for visitors and volunteers

Gorseybrigg Primary School and Nursery is committed to safeguarding children and promoting children’s welfare and expects all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment and maintain a vigilant and safe environment. It is our willingness to work in a safe manner and challenge inappropriate behaviour that underpins this commitment.

By signing in and out at the office, you are agreeing to follow the advice within this page. All visitors must wear the visitor’s badge provided by reception. An adult without a badge will be accompanied to the school’s reception to confirm they have signed in.

Visitors must be accompanied at all times by a member of the school staff.

Unsupervised visitors: If your visit involves unsupervised contact with young people you will be asked to show the photographic ID badge provided by your employer and written confirmation that appropriate DBS checks have been made. Depending on your role and the organisation you are from you may be required to show your Enhanced DBS Certificate. We will note down the DBS number and date issued but will not make a copy of it. The school’s Child Protection Policy is available on the school’s website.

If you have ANY concerns about a child’s welfare or wellbeing or have a concern about the behaviour of any adult within the school towards a child:

  • Discuss your concerns without delay with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mrs. Corinne Thornton) or the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mrs. Rachel MacLeod ).
  • Remember it is important to share your concerns even if you are unsure.

If a child makes a disclosure to you:

  • Avoid being shocked or embarrassed.
  • Listen to the child without interrupting them.
  • Do not promise to keep a secret.
  • Do not ask the child any leading questions.
  • Reassure them that ‘it is not their fault and they have done the right thing to tell you’.
  • Immediately following the disclosure report your concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (see above) and write down what the child said using the child’s own words and phrases. Sign and date this document and hand it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead who will load it on to My Concern.
  • Consider how best to manage your own feelings
  • Following reporting your concerns remember that the disclosure and the child’s identity should remain confidential

The school has a full code of conduct to encourage safer working practices for all adults working with young people, including advice regarding ‘e-safety’.

Remember:

  • provide a positive role model to young people
  • dress appropriately ensuring your clothing is not likely to be viewed as offensive or revealing
  • treat all members of the school’s community with respect and tolerance
  • work with children so that you are visible by a member of the school staff
  • respect a child’s privacy and dignity
  • always be able to justify any physical contact you have with a young person
  • always report any situations that arise that you may feel may give rise to a complaint or misunderstanding in respect of your own actions

Never:

  • Photograph a child without the school’s permission
  • Never use your personal mobile phone in areas used by young people
  • Ignore inappropriate behaviours towards children either by other children or adults
  • Share personal details with a child
  • Meet or contact the child out of school including by text, email, Facebook or other social media or give a child a lift home
  • Discuss the school, children or adults working within the school on social media
  • Make inappropriate comments to a child including racist, homophobic, sexist or sexualised comments
  • Give gifts to a young person (unless part of the school’s agreed rewards policy or with the agreement of your line manager) or show them preferential treatment

 

Key Safeguarding Staff:

Mrs Corinne Thornton – Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Rachel MacLeod – Assistant Headteacher and Deputy DSL