Safeguarding at PMS

Safeguarding

Penkridge Middle School is committed to promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We fully recognise our responsibilities for safeguarding and child protection. Our policy and procedures apply to all staff, governors and those visiting the school. We aim: 

• To developing a robust culture of vigilance. 
• Build resilience – by raising awareness of safeguarding and child protection issues, and equipping children with the language and skills to keep themselves safe. 
• Establish a safe environment – in which children can learn and develop within an ethos of openness and are taught to treat each other with respect, to feel safe, to have a voice and are listened to. 
• Knowing that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility, and the voice of the child is evident. 
• Offering children, a balanced curriculum including PHSE, healthy relationship education, online safety, sexting 

The designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Penkridge Middle School is: Mr R Cole. 

If there are any concerns that a pupil may be at risk of abuse or neglect, in almost all circumstances we will talk to our parents/carers about our concerns and we will also explain if we need to refer our concerns to outside agencies. We will inform parents/carers if we need to make a referral, but in some circumstances, we may need to make the referral without consulting. We will only do this if we genuinely believe that this is the best way to protect a pupil and the fact that we did not have consent from a parent/carer to the referral will be recorded. 

Online Safety 

Please see the attachments below for online safety guides for parents. As well as useful websites and links for all parents.

CEOP is here to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online.
You can make a report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre by clicking on the Click CEOP button if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried. This might be from someone you know in real life, or someone you have only ever met online. CEOP take all reports seriously and we will do everything we can to keep you safe.
As well as making a report to the CEOP Safety Centre, the CEOP Education website has information and advice to help you if something has happened to you online.
Are you being bullied?
CEOP are unable to respond to reports about bullying but if you’re being bullied and would like to talk to someone in confidence right now you can speak to Childline on 0800 1111 or talk to them online – no worry is too big or too small.