Safeguarding & Prevent
At Gateacre School our Key Adult is Mrs J Boyd (Assistant Principal / Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Operation Encompass
In conjunction with Merseyside Police, Gateacre School is involved in an initiative called Operation Encompass. The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in, heard or witnessed a domestic abuse incident. Following such an incident, children can arrive at school distressed, upset, worried and unprepared. Operation Encompass aims to ensure that appropriate school staff (called Key Adults) are made aware early enough to support children and young people in a way that means they feel safe and included.
This is a valuable initiative that means we can continue to support and help children and families within our school community when they need it the most.
You can find our more by visiting www.operationencompass.org or by contacting our Key Adult.
Safeguarding Advice for Visitors & Volunteers
Our school is committed to safeguarding children and promoting children’s welfare and expects all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment and maintain a vigilant and safe environment. It is our willingness to work in a safe manner and challenge inappropriate behaviour that underpins this commitment.
By signing in and out of the visitors’ book you are agreeing to follow the advice within this leaflet. All visitors must wear the visitor’s badge provided by reception. An adult without a badge will be accompanied to the school’s reception to confirm they have signed in.
Visitors must be accompanied at all times by a member of the school staff.
Unsupervised visitors: If your visit involves unsupervised contact with young people you will be asked to show the photographic ID badge provided by your employer and written confirmation that appropriate DBS checks have been made. Depending on your role and the organisation you are from you may be required to show your Enhanced DBS Certificate. We will note down the DBS number and date issued but will not make a copy of it. You will also need to read the school’s Code of Conduct for Adults and Part 1 of the DFE’s Guidance, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (2014). The school’s Child Protection Policy is available on the school’s website.
If you have ANY concerns about a child’s welfare or well being or have a concern about the behaviour of any adult within the school towards a child:
- Discuss your concerns without delay with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Headteacher or a member of the safeguarding team.
- Remember it is important to share your concerns even if you are unsure.
- Anyone can make a referral to Liverpool Children’s Services (tel: 0151 233 3700)
- The Local Authority Designated Officer (L.A.D.O.) for Managing Allegations Against Staff can be contacted on 0151 225 8101. The school office can provide you with a copy of the school’s procedures for Managing Allegations Against Staff.
If a child makes a disclosure to you:
- Avoid being shocked or embarrassed.
- Listen to the child without interrupting them.
- Do not promise to keep a secret.
- Do not ask the child any leading questions.
- Reassure them that ‘it is not their fault and they have done the right thing to tell you’.
- Immediately following the disclosure report your concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (see above) and write down what the child said using the child’s own words and phrases. Sign and date this document and hand it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Consider how best to manage your own feelings
- Following reporting your concerns remember that the disclosure and the child’s identity should remain confidential
Remember:
- provide a positive role model to young people
- dress appropriately ensuring your clothing is not likely to be viewed as offensive or revealing
- treat all members of the school’s community with respect and tolerance
- work with children so that you are visible by a member of the school staff
- respect a child’s privacy and dignity
- always be able to justify any physical contact you have with a young person
- always report any situations that arise that you may feel may give rise to a complaint or misunderstanding in respect of your own actions
Never:
- Photograph a child without the school’s permission
- Never use your personal mobile phone in areas used by young people
- Ignore inappropriate behaviours towards children either by other children or adults
- Share personal details with a child
- Meet or contact the child out of school including by text, email, Facebook or other social media or give a child a lift home
- Discuss the school, children or adults working within the school on social media
- Make inappropriate comments to a child including racist, homophobic, sexist or sexualised comments
- Give gifts to a young person (unless part of the school’s agreed rewards policy or with the agreement of your line manager) or show them preferential treatment
Other Safeguarding Guidance
In the case of a fire follow the following procedures:
- There should be no delay in ringing 999 and requesting fire and police….
If a child or member of staff needs emergency treatment or first aid:
- There should be no delay in ringing 999 and requesting an ambulance….
Prevent Duty: preventing terrorism, extremism and radicalisation
What is the Prevent strategy?
Prevent is a government strategy to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. It is the duty in the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 on specified authorities, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including political and religious extremism.
How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?
From July 2015 all schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.
This means schools have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views, in the same way we protect them from drugs or gang violence.
Importantly, schools can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so that they better understand how to protect themselves.
What does this mean in practice?
Schools and childcare providers can also build students resilience to radicalization by promoting fundamental British Values, providing a safe environment for debating controversial issues and enabling them to challenge extremist views.
Different schools will carry out the Prevent duty in different ways, depending on the age of the children and the needs of the community.
Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy.
For example:
- Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
- Challenging prejudices and racist comments
- Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
- Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy
- Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation, such as using filters on the internet or vetting visitors who come into school
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Prevent relate to British values?
Schools have been required to promote British values since 2014, and this will continue to be part of the response to the Prevent strategy.
British values include:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty and mutual respect
- Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Isn’t my child too young to learn about extremism?
The Prevent strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself, which may not be appropriate for younger children. It is also about teaching children values such as tolerance and mutual respect.
Schools should make sure any discussions are suitable for the age and maturity of the children involved.
Is extremism really a risk in our area?
Extremism can take many forms, including political, religious and ideological extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others.
The intention is to give children the skills to protect them from any extremist views they may encounter, now or later in their lives.
KEY TERMS
Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Ideology – a set of beliefs
Terrorism – an action that endangers or causes serious violence to a person/people, causes serious damage to property, or seriously interferes or disrupts an electronic system, and is intended to advance a political, religious or ideological cause
Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism
Where to go for more information
Contact the school
If you have any questions or concerns about the Prevent strategy and what it means for your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
External sources
The following sources may also be useful for further information:
https://ehd.liverpool.gov.uk/kb5/liverpool/fsd/service.page?id=vpt5pUMEYZw
Revised Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales (2023)
