Keeping Children Safe

Safeguarding, Well-Being & Child Protection

Our Commitment

At St Matthew’s Primary School, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are committed to inspiring, challenging and safeguarding our pupils, enabling them to become:

  • Successful learners, who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve.
  • Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
  • Responsible citizens who will make a positive contribution to the school community, in their role as pupils, and to society as a whole in their adult life.

Safeguarding & Child Protection Team

We have a dedicated safeguarding team who lead on this important issue of welfare and safeguarding, here at St Matthew’s Primary School.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads and Deputies are:

Elizabeth Steel – Assistant Head (Lead DSL)

Kate Spencer-Allen – Assistant Head (Deputy DSL)

Tony Davies – Head Teacher

Christina Bates – SENDCo

Ashleigh Blackman-Doyle – Behaviour and Mental Health Lead

Caroline MacDonald – HLTA Behaviour and Mental Health support

All of our safeguarding team undertake regular safeguarding and child protection training. They work closely with other universal agencies as necessary.

 The Governor with responsibility for safeguarding in our school is: Mrs Aditi Vedi

Follow this link for more information on how to report a safeguarding concern to the Local Authority Safeguarding Team.

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support/safeguarding-children-and-child-protection

We have key policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2024 documents which can be accessed below.

Concerns

If you have any concerns for the safety of any of the children at school please contact the Elizabeth Steel or any member of our dedicated safeguarding team.

Working together to safeguard children 2023: statutory guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk) sets out a clear expectation that local agencies will work together and collaborate to identify children with additional needs and provide support as soon as a problem emerges. Providing early help is far more effective in promoting the welfare of children – and keeping them safe – than reacting later when any problems, for example neglect, may have become more entrenched. The importance of using a child-centred approach in following the child's journey is also emphasised ensuring there is a whole family focus and holistic assessment and plan.  This document provides a framework for professionals who are working with children, young people and families. It aims to help identify when a child may need additional support to achieve their full potential. It introduces a continuum of help and support, provides information on the levels of need and gives examples of some of the factors that may indicate a child or young person needs additional support. By undertaking assessments and offering services on a continuum of help and support, professionals can be flexible and respond to different levels of need in different children and families.

You may also find the following pages on our website useful: