Safeguarding at KWPS

At Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to ensuring every child feels safe, valued, listened to and supported so they can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

We listen carefully to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. We work in partnership with families to ensure every child enjoys their time at School, achieves their full potential and makes a positive contribution to the school and wider community.  All staff receive regular safeguarding and child protection training in line with the latest statutory guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). Staff receive annual updates, regular safeguarding briefings and ongoing training throughout the year.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult employed by, or invited to deliver services at KWPS. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard all who access the school and promote the welfare of all our pupils by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and bullying.

Safeguarding means protecting children from harm, preventing impairment of their health or development, ensuring they grow up in safe and effective care and enabling them to have the best possible life chances.

Click here to see the Statutory Guidance for Keeping children safe in school.

Prevent Duty

As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, we are committed to protecting children from radicalisation and extremism. Through our curriculum, British Values and wider personal development opportunities, we help children learn how to stay safe, think critically and respect others.

Online Safety

Keeping children safe online is an important part of our safeguarding work. Pupils learn how to use technology safely through our computing curriculum, PSHE lessons and assemblies. We work closely with families to promote positive online behaviours.

School Attendance

Good attendance is an important part of safeguarding. We work closely with families to ensure children attend school regularly and receive support where barriers to attendance exist.

Mental Health

We recognise that emotional wellbeing is closely linked to safeguarding. Through our Thrive approach, Learning Mentor and pastoral support, we ensure children receive the help they need to feel safe, happy and ready to learn.

How we keep children safe:

We follow robust safer recruitment procedures. All staff, governors, volunteers and visitors are subject to appropriate safeguarding and suitability checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, in accordance with current legislation.

We have Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSL) for Child Protection:

Designated Safeguarding Leader

Mrs Jane Smethurst

Deputy DSL

Mrs Dawn Hankinson

Deputy DSL

Mrs Hayley Pye

 

DSL (Designated Safeguarding Leaders)

Jane Smethurst

Jane Smethurst

Hayley Pye

Hayley Pye

Dawn Hankinson

Dawn Hankinson

 

All have received appropriate training for this role. It is their responsibility to ensure that all staff in contact with children receive child protection awareness training on a regular basis.

On occasions our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies. Unless it is not safe for a child, we would always aim to achieve this with a parent's consent. The procedures we follow have been agreed by the Lancashire Safeguarding Partners, and the school has adopted a Child Protection Policy in line with local safeguarding arrangements.

You can view our school Safeguarding Policy by clicking here.

If you have a safeguarding concern

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please speak to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads as soon as possible. Any concerns will be treated seriously and dealt with sensitively in line with our safeguarding procedures.  

We cannot promise confidentiality if a child is at risk of harm, but we will always explain what action needs to be taken wherever possible.

Operation Encompass

 Operation Encompass

As part of our commitment to keeping children safe, Kirkham and Wesham Primary School is proud to be part of the Pan Lancashire Operation Encompass partnership.

Operation Encompass is a national safeguarding initiative that ensures schools are informed, before the start of the next school day, when a child has experienced or been exposed to a domestic abuse incident. This enables us to provide appropriate support for children when they need it most.

Through our participation, the Governing Body and Senior Leadership Team:

  • support the principles and aims of the Pan Lancashire Operation Encompass Model
  • ensure trained Key Adults receive and act upon notifications appropriately
  • follow safeguarding procedures when responding to concerns
  • handle all information sensitively and in accordance with data protection legislation.

 

Early Help and Family Support

At Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, we believe that providing support at the earliest opportunity can make a significant difference to children and families. If you would like advice or support with any aspect of family life, education, attendance, behaviour or wellbeing, please contact us.

Mrs Hayley Pye, our Learning Mentor, is available to provide Early Help, offer advice and guidance, and signpost families to additional support services where appropriate.

Out of Hours School Support

Contact details for services that are able to support you and your families, should you need them:

Mental Health Support

Family Support

  • Children & Family Wellbeing Service – 01253 741117
  • Children's Social Care – 0300 123 6720
  • Out of Hours – 0300 123 6722
  • Fylde Food Bank – Kirkham, Warton and St Anne's locations

Emergency

  • Kirkham Police Station – 01253 604734
  • Police Non-Emergency – 101
  • Emergency – 999