Clandon CofE Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you have any safeguarding concerns about a child or adult, please speak to one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads or a member of staff who will report your concern to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

You can also email safeguarding concerns to head@shere.surrey.sch.uk.

To read Clandon School's Safeguarding Policy please click here.  The Safeguarding Policy is also available at the bottom of this webpage.

What is Safeguarding and Child Protection?

Safeguarding covers broader aspects of education, for example, mental wellbeing of pupils and staff, health and safety, medical conditions, trips, first aid, online safety, risk assessments, children's and staff security.

Child Protection is part of safeguarding.  It protects children from a range of issues, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.

Clandon School recognises its responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  Our Safeguarding Policy applies to the whole of the school's workforce, along with volunteers, governors and any contractors working on the school site.  The policy focuses on five main elements:

• Staff recruitment and selection - ensuring that all staff (including volunteers) have been appropriately checked for suitability, using Safer Recruitment procedures.
• Raising awareness of safeguarding issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
• Developing and implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
• Supporting pupils who have been abused, in accordance with an agreed, child-centred plan.
• Establishing a safe and nurturing environment, free from discrimination or bullying, where children can learn and develop happily.

The school recognises that, because of their day-to-day contact with children, school staff may be ideally placed to observe outward signs of abuse.  Staff in school will therefore:

• Report any inappropriate behaviour / activities to designated staff.
• Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
• Ensure that children know they may approach any adult in school if they are worried and will receive a consistent, supportive response.
• Provide, within the PSHE curriculum, opportunities for children to develop skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.

The Local Authority requires Headteachers to report any obvious or suspected case of child abuse including non-accidental injury, severe physical neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse.  This procedure is intended to protect children at risk.  Schools are encouraged to take the attitude that, where there are grounds for suspicion, it is better to be safe than sorry.  This may mean that occasionally Headteachers risk upsetting parents by reporting a case, which on investigation proves unfounded. In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents, appreciating the delicate nature of this responsibility, would understand that the Headteacher was acting in what were believed to be the child’s best interests.