Safeguarding: Volunteers and Visitors

SAFEGUARDING ADVICE FOR VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS

Nene Valley Primary School
Sugar Way
Peterborough
PE2 9RT

Telephone: 01733 897517
Email: office@nenevalleyprimary.net
Website: www.nenevalleyprimary.org.uk
Contact: Mr N File

No child should suffer harm, either at home or at school. Everyone who works in our school has a responsibility to make sure that all our young people are safe.

This information is to make sure you understand what is expected of you. There is a leaflet you can download at the end of this webpage.

If you are worried about the safety of any young person in our school, you must report this to the Designated Member of Staff in school.

Mr Nick File (DSL)

Mr Neil Reilly (DDSL)

Mrs Julie Stainsby (DDSL)

Mrs Claire Bentley (DDSL)

Child protection Advice for Volunteers & visitors

As a school we are committed to safeguarding and meeting the needs of children and we hope this information will provide some useful advice and guidance when working with children at Nene Valley Primary School. All those who come into contact with children through their every day work whether paid or voluntary have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

DBS checks

Nene Valley Primary School’s procedures specify that all volunteers who work with children three or more days in a 30 day period, or overnight, will require an enhanced CRB Disclosure. This is to help ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children. The School office will inform you as to whether or not you require a DSB Disclosure. If you do not, you will not be left unsupervised with children.

Nene Valley Primary School Safeguarding Policy is available from the Policies page.

What should I do if I am worried about a child?

If whilst working with a child you become concerned about:

Comments made by a child, marks or bruising on a child or changes in the child’s behaviour or attitude

Report these concerns to the class teacher, who will pass the information on to the school’s Designated Member of Staff.

What should I do if a child discloses that s/he is being harmed?

Although the likelihood of this is small it is important to know what to do in such an eventuality as children rarely lie about such matters

Listen to what is being said without displaying shock or disbelief; accept what is being said
Allow the child to talk freely
Reassure the child, but do not make promises that might not be possible to keep
Do not promise confidentiality but explain to the child that you have to tell their teacher or Head Teacher in order that they can help
Do not interrogate or ask leading questions
Reassure the pupil that it is not their fault
Stress that it was the right thing to tell
Do not criticise the alleged perpetrator, Immediately record details of the disclosure, including wherever possible the exact words or phrases used by the child. Forms for completion are available from the staff room and should be completed and used to record the 'nagging doubt' on My Concern (our electronic recording tool)

What should I do if the alleged abuser is a member of the school staff?

You should report such allegations to the Head Teacher or Designated CP Member of Staff.

What should I do if the alleged abuser is the Head Teacher?

You should report such allegations to the Chair of Governors/LADO (01733 864038).

How do I assure that my behaviour is always appropriate?

Appropriate relationships with children should be based on mutual trust and respect.

As a volunteer you may well be working closely with children sometimes on a one to one basis. Children, especially when they are young, are often spontaneously affectionate and tactile and it is important not to alienate them through lack of response or by appearing to reject this. You should, however, be careful about touching pupils.

If you are working with a pupil on his/her own always ensure that the door is left open or that you can be visible to others.

Do not photograph pupils, unless requested to by the class teacher, exchange e-mails or text messages, or give out your own personal details. Please do not use a mobile phone in child spaces.

Please help us to safeguard the children in our care by following these guidelines.

First Aid

Any pupil, member of staff or visitor who requires medical attention should be referred to First Aiders immediately. Please report this to a member of staff who will inform a first aider or contact the school office.