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Safeguarding

Courthill Infant School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent and effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, children and staff at school. All concerns are passed through the members of staff who are trained as ‘Designated Safeguarding Leads’ (DSLs). This is in school in compliance with the "sharing of information" guidance. Please be aware that the Police, via Children's Services, will alert us if a domestic abuse incident occurs at the home of one of our pupils. However, to ensure we meet data protection requirements, details of the incident will not be shared with us unless there are other concerns about the child's welfare.  

DSL Team

Mrs A Carter (DSL)

 

Mrs E Elkins (Deputy DSL, Maternity Leave)

 

Mrs R Gilbey (Deputy DSL)

At Courthill we will always aim to:

  • Ensure we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children
  • Raise awareness of child protection issues and equip children with the skills needed to keep them safe
  • Develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse
  • Support pupils who have been abused in accordance with the agreed child protection plan
  • Establish a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.
  • Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
  • Ensure that children know that there are adults in the school who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty.
  • Plan activities and opportunities which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse
  • Include in the curriculum material which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life – where appropriate for the age of the child.
  • Ensure that wherever possible every effort will be made to establish effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies.

Please click below if you would like to view our safeguarding policy and procedures as well as other guidance about keeping children safe.

For our Safeguarding policies, click on the policies below

Other guidance and policies - click on the links below

Useful Contact Numbers 

  • BCP Domestic Abuse Support: 01202 710777 or 0800 0325204
  • 24hr National DV Helpline (Refuge): 0808 2000247
  • Domestic Violence Support Services: 01202 547755
  • Dorset Police Safe Schools and Communities Team: 01202 222844
  • DfE’s Counter Extremist Helpline (Prevent): 020 7340 7264
  • Anti-Terrorist Hotline: 0800 789 321
  • Childline - 0800 1111
  • NSPCC whistleblowing helpline - 0800 0280285

Reporting a concern 

If you are concerned about a child's welfare or worried they are being abused, you can make a referral to Children's Social Care in Dorset by contacting:

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

County Lines Briefing

Keeping Children Safe in Education - parent guide

Please email office@courthill.coastalpartnership.co.uk if you require this leaflet in a different language.

Keeping Children Safe in Education Part 1 - Translations

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.

Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead /Officer (known as key Adult) prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved.

Information is shared with a school’s Key Adult (Designated Safeguarding Lead or Officer) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

In creating this partnership with Operation Encompass, Courthill Infant School's safeguarding staff, also offer a non-judgemental listening ear, in a safe space, to any adult victim of Domestic Abuse and their families. They can provide guidance and advice with respect to next steps of support.

Useful websites for safeguarding including internet safety:

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