In case of a Safeguarding (Child Protection) issue you will need to contact Mr Ian Williams (Deputy Headteacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead) straight away.

In his absence, please see Dr Andrea Hall (Co-Headteacher/Alternative Designated Safeguarding Lead), Miss Anna Siddall (Co-Headteacher/Alternative Designated Safeguarding Lead) / Mrs Samantha Porter (Deputy Headteacher/SENDCo/Alternative Designated Safeguarding Lead), Mrs Ruth Greggor (Assistant Headteacher/Alternative Designated Safeguarding Lead) and Mrs Kate Gotts (Family Engagement LeadAlternative Designated Safeguarding Lead).

Mr Williams or any of the alternate DSLs can be contacted within the school day from 8.00am until 4.30 pm (01473 741249, 07714598359 and parents@whcps.org).

The Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding is Shorolla Allen (Social Worker).

Our Online Safety Lead is Mr Ian Williams.

The Prevent Lead at Whitehouse Community Primary is Mr Ian Williams.

Early Help

At Whitehouse Community Primary School we understand that from time to time family life can have its complications. These may be the times when you need some extra help and support. To support and advise you at such times we have an Early Help Offer.

Who should I contact if I need help or have concerns?

The first step is to make contact with your child’s class teacher who will know who is best placed to help you. It may be that they can solve your problem straight away or work with their year group colleagues to make the difference.

If they cannot help, they can get one of our designated members of staff to contact you:

Mrs Porter – our SENDCo – will contact you if you are concerned that a special educational need may be affecting your child’s progress.

Mrs Gotts – a member of the Pastoral Team – will contact you if you are having problems at home – from sleep to finances, parenting to family crisis – they are able to support you and put you in contact with other agencies who may be able to help.

What sort of concerns might parents need to share with the Pastoral Team?

A wide range of issues such as behaviour management, financial worries and debt, domestic abuse, housing concerns, mobility difficulties, family members in prison, bereavement and loss, cyber bullying – in fact any concerns which you are worried might be having a negative impact on your children.

What might we offer in response to your concerns and how will this support be managed?

There are a range of ways of delivering support. Informal pastoral support meetings with a record of the conversation might be all that is required. Behaviour Plans and Risk Assessments can be used to support individual pupils. For pupils at risk of exclusion, Suffolk Pupils Support Frameworks could be initiated which involve frequent meetings between school, home and pupils to work together on agreed targets. Depending on the nature of the concern we may refer to the school nurse or the mental well-being hub. If a referral to the Early Help team is requested, the school will draw up the documents with the parents and if accepted there will be an Early Help Team set up, to plan and action the support required through a multi-agency team.

We have 3 Thrive practitioners, Mrs Porter, Mrs Gotts and Mrs Arnold, and bespoke interventions are run to support some pupils. A Thrive approach is used within classes with advice from the Thrive practitioners. Mrs Porter is the Designated Senior Mental Health Lead and is proactive in recognising that mental health concerns may underpin some social, emotional and behavioural issues and will help families to seek appropriate support.

For attendance concerns, support through school will be offered by Mr Williams, our Attendance Lead, and if necessary the Educational Welfare Officer will be brought in for further help.

How will safeguarding procedures be effective in supporting families?

Whitehouse has seven trained Designated Safeguarding Leads. However all staff are trained to identify and report safeguarding concerns. Where there are concerns raised, the school will follow the school reporting procedures. The team will work with families and all relevant agencies through Child in Need or Child Protection teams to reduce and remove identified risks to children. Support will be given to families by social workers and other relevant agencies including school.

How will our pupils learn to keep themselves safe?

Curriculum provision, especially through PSHE lessons and additional work from outside agencies including NSPCC and the police, support our children in learning how to keep themselves safe. Children are also made aware of the role of the Pastoral Team and Thrive practitioners in supporting them.

Child Line posters are displayed in school.

Who might the school refer to for more help?

• The Early Help Team

• Children and Young People’s Services

• The In Year Fair Access Panel

• County Inclusive Support Service

• Counselling

• School Nurse

• Speech and Language Therapist

• Educational Psychologist

• Young Carers

• Educational Welfare Officer

• Citizens Advice Bureau

• GPs

• Occupational Therapists

• One Life

• Freedom Project

• DIAL

• Housing Associations

• Food Banks

• Children’s centres

• Suffolk Family Information Service

• Well being hub

• Childnet Resources/ Think U Know

When should I contact Whitehouse’s Pastoral Team?

Contact us when you have a concern which is affecting your child(ren). We will always try to see you quickly or to give you a call to find out what the problem is and arrange to meet you.

Policies

There is a school Safeguarding Policy which complies with National, Suffolk Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) and LA guidance DFE section 175/157 of the Education Act 2002 and which is available below.   Please note that a hard copy is also available in school in the policies folder located in the main entrance.

The following policies may also be useful and can be found on our policies page:

Online Safety Policy

Behaviour Policy

SEND Policy

Are you concerned about a child?

Everyone has a part to play in protecting and safeguarding children. For more information, click on the link: http://www.suffolkscb.org.uk/

If you need URGENT safeguarding assistance outside of school hours you should contact Customer First on 0808 800 4005

Additional Telephone Numbers

Suffolk Police: 01473 613500

NSPCC Whistleblowing Contact: 08456066067

IN AN EMERGENCY DIAL 999

CEOP

If you are worried about online abuse, click the CEOP button to make a report to a Child Protection Advisor.

CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to CEOP, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the Click CEOP button.

If you are experiencing online bullying or something else online has worried you, please speak to an adult you trust, or you can talk to ChildLine at any time on 0800 1111