Safeguarding at Eastfield Primary Academy
At Eastfield Primary Academy, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. The safety, welfare and wellbeing of our children are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to providing a safe, supportive and nurturing environment in which every child can flourish.
We take our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children extremely seriously. Our staff are trained to recognise when a child may need help or protection and understand the importance of identifying concerns early, listening carefully and taking appropriate action. Current statutory guidance emphasises that children need the right help at the right time and that concerns should be acted upon without delay.
We work in partnership with children, families and other professionals to help ensure that concerns are responded to appropriately and children and families receive the support they need.
How We Keep Children Safe
At Eastfield, we:
• maintain robust safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures;
• ensure appropriate safer recruitment and pre-employment checks are completed;
• provide regular safeguarding and child protection training for staff;
• ensure staff understand how to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns;
• teach children how to keep themselves safe, including when online;
• create a culture where children know that they can talk to trusted adults;
• encourage parents and carers to share concerns with us;
• work closely with other professionals and safeguarding agencies; and
• act promptly when we are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child.
Safeguarding includes protecting children from harm and supporting their wider welfare, health and development.
Our Safeguarding Team
If you have a safeguarding concern, however small it may seem, please talk to us.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Kerry Thompson
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Caroline Pell
Worried About a Child?
If you are concerned about the safety, care or wellbeing of a child, please act without delay.
You do not need to be certain that a child is being harmed before sharing a concern. If something does not feel right, it is important to speak to someone.
You can:
• speak to a member of our Safeguarding Team;
• contact North East Lincolnshire’s Safeguarding Team on 01472 326292 (option 2, option 2); or
• contact the Police on 999 if a child is in immediate danger.
It is always better to share a concern than to assume that someone else will.
Recognising a Safeguarding Concern
Children do not always tell an adult when something is wrong. Sometimes changes in their behaviour, appearance, attendance or emotional wellbeing may indicate that they need additional help or protection. Current safeguarding guidance specifically highlights indicators such as changes in behaviour or attendance, injuries, disclosures and online threats.
Signs that may cause concern can include:
• unexplained injuries;
• significant changes in behaviour;
• becoming unusually withdrawn, anxious or distressed;
• fear of a particular person or situation;
• changes in attendance;
• age-inappropriate behaviour or knowledge;
• changes in appearance or self-care;
• unexplained money or possessions; or
• a child telling you directly, or indirectly, that something is wrong.
A single sign does not necessarily mean that a child is being harmed. However, if you are worried, please share your concern.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Safeguarding can include a wide range of concerns, including:
• physical abuse;
• emotional abuse;
• neglect;
• online harm;
• child-on-child abuse;
• exploitation; and
• concerns about a child’s health, wellbeing or circumstances that mean they may benefit from additional support.
Current statutory guidance requires school staff to understand different types of abuse, neglect and exploitation, including online harms, and to be alert to children who may benefit from intervention or early help.
For detailed information about different forms of abuse and neglect and how to recognise them, families can visit the NSPCC website Types of child abuse NSPCC
Online Safety
Keeping children safe online is an important part of safeguarding at Eastfield.
Through our curriculum and wider safeguarding work, we help children develop the knowledge and understanding they need to use technology safely and responsibly and to know what to do if something online makes them worried or uncomfortable.
Parents and carers play an important role in helping children stay safe online, and we encourage families to talk regularly with their children about their online experiences.
Safeguarding Policies and Information
Further information about our safeguarding arrangements can be found in the documents below:
Further Help and Support
Parents and carers can also access safeguarding information and advice through:
• North East Lincolnshire Safeguarding Website, please click here (this needs a link)
• NSPCC, please click here (this needs a link)
• Police: 101 for non-emergencies or 999 in an emergency
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you are worried about a child, please speak up. It is always better to share a concern than to remain silent.