If you have any concerns regarding the welfare of any child, please do not hesitate to contact Joanne Milbank, the DSL, or in her absence, any of the Deputy DSLs

If you think a child is in immediate danger, don't delay! Call the Police on 999, or call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 straight away!

If you are a child who is worried about yourself or someone else call Childline on 0800 11 11

If you're worried that a child might be the victim of abuse, click here for supporting guidance

Click here to view Keeping Children Safe in Education, statutory guidance (via gov.uk)

Click here to view Southend/ Essex/ Thurrock safeguarding and child protection procedures

Click here to view the Working together to safeguard children, statutory guidance (via gov.uk)

Click here to view Chalkwell Infants' Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

The Safeguarding Team

Jo Milbank, the Deputy Headteacher is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and can be contacted in school, on 01702 478533 or by email on - joanne.milbank@chalkwellhallinfants.co.uk

Sarah Clements, the Headteacher is a Deputy DSL - sarah.clements@chalkwellhallinfants.co.uk

Viv Graham, the Family Liaison Officer is a Deputy DSL - vivienne.graham@chalkwellhallinfants.co.uk

Shelley Cooper, the Attendance and Admissions Officer is a Deputy DSL - attendance@chalkwellhallinfants.co.uk

Safeguarding your child

Chalkwell Hall Infant School is committed to safeguarding your child and to following the Department for Education document Keeping Children Safe in Education which is ‘… statutory guidance for schools and colleges who must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.’ It should be read alongside Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE, 2018). The two key principles are:

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: for services to be effective each professional and organisation should play their full part; and
• A child-centred approach: for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of children.

At Chalkwell Hall Infants we believe that to enable all children and young people to achieve their potential, they should:

• Have their basic needs met.
• Enjoy the medical, educational, pleasure and welfare services necessary for a healthy and positive childhood.
• Live in a safe environment protected from exploitation, abuse or harm.
• Feel loved and valued and be supported by a network of reliable and affectionate relationships.
• Have a positive image of themselves and a secure sense of identity including cultural and racial identity.
• Be consulted and have views taken into account on all matters and decisions that affect their lives.
• Be helped to develop good inter-personal skills and confidence in social situations to enable them to become competent in looking after themselves and coping with everyday living.
• Where there is a conflict of interest between parents and children, and in all decisions relating to their future, the child’s interest must be given primary consideration.

In order to make sure all of the above can happen we:

• Aim to prevent unsuitable people from working with the children by carrying out DBS checks on all staff, governors and volunteers. At least one member of every interview panel has received Safer Recruitment training.
• Promote safe practice and challenge any poor or unsafe practice
• Identify instances where there are grounds for concern about a child’s welfare and initiate or take appropriate action to keep them safe
• Contribute to effective partnership working between all those involved in providing services for our children
• Are part of Essex Police's 'Operation Encompass' project where the school is notified of a domestic incident in order to put in measures to support children

The Prevent Duty

The Prevent Duty aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

“The Prevent duty is the duty in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 on specified authorities , in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.”  (Taken form the Summary, The Prevent duty: Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers. DfE June 2015)

“In order for all schools and childcare providers to fulfil the Prevent duty, it is essential that staff are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified.” (The Prevent duty: what it means for schools and childcare providers, Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers. DfE June 2015)

All members of staff receive PREVENT training regardless of their role in the school. More information can be found in our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.