Safeguarding

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at St Brendan’s RC Primary School. We are committed to ensuring that all children feel safe, supported and able to learn and thrive. We recognise our responsibility to protect children from harm and to promote their wellbeing at all times.

Our safeguarding arrangements follow the most recent statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Our Safeguarding Team

If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please contact:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):	Mrs F Brindley – Head Teacher
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead:	Mrs L Seals – Deputy Head Teacher
Safeguarding Governor:	Mr L Hosie – Chair of Governors

Concerns can be raised in person, by phone, or by email via the school office.
 

If you are worried about a child outside of school hours, please contact:

Bolton LADO

Tel: 01204 337474  

Email: LADO@bolton.gov.uk 

Our Safeguarding Approach

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, which can be viewed in the Policies section of our website.

We work closely with parents, carers and external agencies to support children and families. Where there are concerns about a child’s welfare, we will usually discuss these with parents/carers first unless we believe doing so would place the child at risk of harm.

Safeguarding includes, but is not limited to:

• Child protection
• Online safety
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Preventing bullying
• Protecting children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
• Supporting children at risk of radicalisation or extremism

Prevent Duty

We actively support the Government’s Prevent Duty and work to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.

This includes:

• Teaching pupils how to stay safe online
• Encouraging respectful discussion and critical thinking
• Working with external agencies when appropriate

Safeguarding in the Curriculum

Children are taught about safeguarding through:

• PSHE and Relationships Education
• Assemblies
• Computing and online safety lessons
• Everyday interactions with trusted adults

We encourage pupils to speak to a member of staff if they are worried about themselves or someone else.

What to Do If You’re Worried About a Child

If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child:

• Speak to a member of the safeguarding team as soon as possible
• Do not promise confidentiality
• Concerns will always be taken seriously

If a child is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services on 999.

Safeguarding Information and Guidance

Online Safety & Digital Wellbeing

• CYBER BULLYING LEAFLET
• SCHOOLS GUIDE TO EXTREMISM AND SOCIAL MEDIA
• HELPING TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE
• NSPCC THE UNDERWEAR RULE
• NWG MARIE COLLINS FOUNDATION – SEXUAL ABUSE ONLINE – PARENTS LEAFLET
• NWG MARIE COLLINS FOUNDATION – ONLINE SEXUAL HARM REDUCTION GUIDE – PROFESSIONALS LEAFLET

Child Protection & Family Support

• BARNARDOS SPOT THE SIGNS – PARENTS LEAFLET
• BE SURE THEY’RE SAFE AND LET THEM HAVE FUN – A PARENTS GUIDE
• THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE GUIDE
• GUIDE TO INFORMATION SHARING FOR PRACTITIONERS AND MANAGERS
• INFORMATION ON ASSESSING NEEDS OF FAMILIES
• PARENT AND CARERS GUIDE TO SOCIAL WORK ASSESSMENTS
• WORRIED ABOUT A CHILD

Government Guidance

• DfE KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN EDUCATION
• DfE WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN
• DfE THE PREVENT DUTY

Additional Support

• FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION INFORMATION
• VIOLENCE AND ABUSE IN TEENAGE RELATIONSHIPS
• SLEEP SAFE HINTS AND TIPS
• HOME ALONE – YOUR GUIDE TO KEEPING YOUR CHILD SAFE

Useful numbers are listed below, or click on the name to be taken directly to their website.

• National Childline:​​0800 1111
• NSPCC: 0800 800500
• Samaritans:116 123 (Free call)
• National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 200​ 0247
• Women’s Aid: 0845 023 468 
• KIDSCAPE (Preventing Bullying Protecting Children): 0207 730 3300  or  08451 205 

Review and Monitoring

Safeguarding policies and procedures are reviewed annually and updated in line with the latest statutory guidance.