At Parkwood Primary School we believe that a child’s welfare is of utmost importance. It is essential to have good systems for protecting children and safeguarding their welfare, throughout all the activities a child is involved in whilst at school. Our school will establish and maintain an ethos where pupils feel secure, are encouraged to talk, are listened to and are safe. Children at our school will be able to talk freely to any member of staff if they are worried or concerned about something within a safe and supportive environment.
Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. We recognise that staff at our school play a particularly important role as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children to prevent concerns from escalating. All staff are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen her, and probably is happening here’ where safeguarding is concerned.
All staff and regular visitors will, through training and induction, know how to recognise indicators of concern, how to respond to a disclosure from a child and how to record and report this information. We will not make promises to any child and we will not keep secrets. Every child will know what the adult will have to do with any information they have chosen to disclose.
It is important for parents to be aware that staff and volunteers in the school have a duty to report concerns about a child, whether this means the child may be in need of additional support or help of some kind or whether it is thought that a child may have been abused or be at risk of abuse.
In some cases the school is obliged to refer children to children’s social care staff if an investigation into possible child abuse is required. In many cases there will already have been discussions between school staff and the parents of the child, and the situation and concerns will not be a surprise to the parents. However, parents may not be told that the school has referred their child to children’s social care if it is thought that this might put the child at risk.
Children’s social care tries to carry out its enquiries in a sensitive fashion. It has to gather information and generally it can be open with parents about the steps being taken.
If school staff need to express concerns about a child or refer a child to children’s social care, it is understood that this can cause distress or anger for the child’s parents. It is important that all parties – parents and school staff – try to discuss these matters as calmly and sensitively as possible.
Click on the link below to access our safeguarding policy. Parents may request a copy of this policy at any time.
Safeguarding policy 2024
The posters below are displayed around the school so that all staff and visitors to the school know who to contact if they are concerned about a child.
NSPCC Whistleblowing helpline is 0800 028 2085 (8am - 8pm Monday to Friday) or via email help@nspcc.org.uk
Worried about a Child?
See below for information, help, support, and advice if you are worried about a child in Medway.
Making a referral to Medway Council Children's Social Care:
If you have concerns that a child or young person living in Medway is suffering from harm, please use the following contact details:
- Tel: 01634 334466
- Click here for their website.
Medway's First Response Service (Social Services)
- Telephone: 01634 334466
- 24-hour emergency number: 03000 419191
- or click here for more details about Medway Council Social Care and Health.
Domestic Abuse Support in Kent and Medway
- Telephone: 0808 200 0247 (National Domestic Abuse Helpline)
- Click here for Domestic Abuse Support in Kent & Medway website.
Alternative telephone numbers where you have concerns about a child:
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
- Child Line: 0800 1111
- Medway Police: 01622 690690
Useful contact details:
- Police non-emergency number: 101
- Emergency services number: 999
- LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) Tel: 01634 331065