We are committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in school and, through our policies, procedures and attitudes, strive to promote a culture of shared responsibility for all aspects of safeguarding. All North Yorkshire schools, including Lythe CEVC School, follow the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures.
We work hard to ensure that:
– we employ staff and volunteers who are suitable to work with children
– our policies and procedures are understood and adhered to by all staff at all times
– there are clear expectations and boundaries for behaviour of children, staff and volunteers
– children are taught strategies for recognising and dealing with dangers.
– all staff and volunteers are confident in dealing with concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, and that there are rigorous procedures in place for following up concerns.
The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss all concerns with parents about their child/ren. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents. The school’s child protection policy is available on request from the school office or can be viewed by clicking on the link under Important Documents below.
What can I do if I am worried about a child?
If parents, staff or volunteers have concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, the main point of contact in school is Lisa Armstrong, who is the Designated Safeguarding Lead, or Farrah Jackson who is the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. The governor with responsibility for overseeing child protection matters is Josie Owen. Staff should use CPOMs to record any concern; the paper-based reporting system is still in place if it can’t be accessed for any reason, or for visitors.
This is in line with our child protection policy, but if you do not feel able to talk to the school, or are unable to contact staff for any reason, then you can telephone the Children’s Social Care Contact Centre on 01609 536993, or contact the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership at any time. Documents and information about reporting concerns are also available in the safeguarding file in the staffroom.
If you are worried that a child is at risk of immediate harm, contact the police at once.
The school uses CPOMS for recording and monitoring child protection, safeguarding, pastoral and welfare issues. Staff use the safeguarding procedures described in our school policy, and ensure that all concerns are shared on the same day with the Safeguarding Lead, her deputy, and other relevant members of staff.
Important Documents
All staff, governors and volunteers must read these documents and complete the online reflection form to say that they understand and agree to abide by the contents.
Child Protection
Child Protection / Safeguarding Policy September 2022
Child Protection Handbook September 2022
Whistleblowing Policy July 2021
Safer Working Practices February 2022
Working together to Safeguard Children September 2018 – Updated Dec 2020
What to do if you are worried a child is being abused March 2015
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) Full document September 2022
Low Level Concerns Policy September 2022
Child on Child Abuse Policy September 2022
Online Safety Policy (including Social Media policy and Acceptable Use Agreements) September 2022
Other Important Documents
Pupil Behaviour Regulation Policy July 2022
Children not collected from school July 2021
Child leaving school premises (including trips) March 2021
Intimate Care Policy July 2020
Training and Information
NYCC guidelines for dealing with prejudice-based incidents
News and Updates from NYSCB
Basic Safeguarding Awareness Training
Prevent, Channel and Making a Prevent Referral 2022
Forced Marriage online training
FGM online training
Managing low-level concerns about staff September 2021
Managing allegations about staff flowchart September 2021
NYCSB Threshold Guidance September 2021
When to call the Police
For staff and governor links to e-safety training and safeguarding updates, please email Lisa Armstrong.
Talking Pants
In Autumn 2022 we will be”Talking Pants” again and using the NSPCC materials (The Underwear Rule from the NSPCC is a simple way to help parents keep their children safe from abuse by teaching them that: their body belongs to them and they have a right to say no, and they should always tell an adult if they re upset or worried) to talk about the Underwear Rule, which is a simple way to help keep children safe from abuse by teaching them that:
• their body belongs to them
• they have a right to say no, and
• they should always tell an adult if they’re upset or worried.
There are lots of great resources to do with protecting children from abuse that can be found by following the above link. Parents can see the resources that we use here – teachers adapt these to suit their own classes.
Encouraging Healthy Play
Our Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), adventure playground and loose parts play equipment for all ages help keep children active in all sorts of different ways at break times throughout the year.
Emotional and Mental Health in the Curriculum
This is explicitly covered in the PSHE Association’s scheme of work which is followed in Years 1-6.
Children are also encouraged to build resilience and learn to take care of their emotional and mental wellbeing as part of our daily school life through use of Zones of Regulation and the ethos and actions of our Behaviour Regulation Policy.
In summer 2021 the staff completed a 2 year project working on an understanding of trauma-informed practice and emotion coaching and are developing this further in 2022 through introduction of the Thrive Approach to support children’s wellbeing.
PHSE Curriculum
We use the PSHE Association’s scheme of work, which is aligned with the 2022 Keeping Children Safe in Education document and our other safeguarding policies.
E-Safety Curriculum
We take E-Safety very seriously, with a safeguarding governor (Josie Owen)keeping a close eye on how we behave when using technology; what we look at and listen to online, and how we stay safe when contacting other people.
We use the PHSE Association scheme of work to ensure continuity and progression in e-safety teaching.
Information for parents can be found by clicking the links below:
Hit the Surf!
More beach safety is enjoyed in the summer term for Year 6 who spend an exciting morning on the beach with our local RNLI lifeguards learning all about safety around the coast (and catching a few waves on their body boards at the same time).
Crucial Crew
This is a multi-agency event supported by the Fire Service, the Police, the Ambulance Service, Her Majesty’s Prison Service, Victim Support, Drugs awareness, School Nurses and the National Trust. They aim to raise awareness of safety issues to school children in Year 6.