Parkside Community School is committed to providing a secure environment for pupils, where children feel safe and are kept safe. All staff and volunteers working at Parkside Community School recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility irrespective of the role they undertake.
Children, parents and staff are encouraged to report any concerns they may have about safety and welfare to our designated Senior Staff for Safeguarding and Child Protection:
- Mr D Mills - Deputy Headteacher & SENDCO
- Mrs D Michell – Early Help Safeguarding Officer
Staff are trained accordingly to meet the wide and varied needs of our local community. Furthermore, our approach is continually reviewed and adjusted as appropriate. The school strives to ensure that families receive the support and guidance required. Over time, the school has provided assistance in relation to areas such as food banks, pupils being at risk of exploitation, domestic abuse, sign posting to other specialist agencies.
Safeguarding arrangements at this school are underpinned by the following key principles:
- Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility: all staff/anyone who has contact with a child or young person, including governors and volunteers, should play their full part in keeping children (including vulnerable adults when in their setting) safe;
- We will aim to protect children using national, local and school child protection procedures;
- We aim to work in partnership and have an important role in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements as set out by Working Together 2018;
- That all staff/anyone who has contact with a child or young person, including governors and volunteers, have a clear understanding regarding abuse and neglect in all forms; including how to identify, respond and report. This also includes knowledge of the process for allegations against professionals. Staff, (governors and volunteers) should feel confident that they can report all matters of Safeguarding in the school where the information will be dealt with swiftly and securely, following the correct procedures with the safety and wellbeing of the children in mind at all times;
- That we operate a child-centred approach: a clear understanding of the needs, wishes, views and voices of children.
For more information including advice for parents, see the following links:
- www.nspcc.org.uk
- www.safeinternet.org.uk
- www.ceop.police.uk
- www.childline.org.uk
- Exam self-care – YoungMinds
Social media sites are changing daily and where possible we will make you aware of any sites that are causing us concern. If you require more information on social media websites and their use, information is available on www.net-aware.org.uk.