As a school we fully recognise the essential contribution we make to protecting children and supporting all our pupils in school and in the local community. We have a statutory duty to:

(a) Prevent: Creating a positive school atmosphere, teaching and pastoral support to pupils.

(b) Protect: By following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Child Protection concerns.

(c) Support: To pupils and school staff and to children who may have been abused.

Our policy applies to all staff and volunteers in school.

At Mellor St Mary we recognise that high self-esteem, confidence, peer support and clear lines of communication with trusted adults helps all children, especially those at risk of or suffering abuse to feel safe and know that they will be listened to without prejudice or judgement.

Our school will therefore:

(a) Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.

(b) Ensure that children know that there are adults in the school who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty.

(c) Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities for PSHE which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe and / or communicate their fears or concerns about abuse. (See PSHE policy)

(d) Include in the curriculum material which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life, particularly with regard to childcare and parenting skills.

(e) Ensure that every effort will be made to establish effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies.

Where we believe a child is suffering from, or is at risk of significant harm, we will follow the procedures set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (annual updates), as well as information from Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (previously Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board) which includes information on ‘Handling Concerns About the Welfare or Safety of A Child in School.’

For further information refer to our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policies below.