Safeguarding and Prevent

Safeguarding Your Child in School

Melbourn Primary School is committed to the protection, safety and well-being of all its pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 schools must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We work hard to provide a warm, caring and safe environment where every child is respected, valued and supported.

The school will therefore be alert to signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation and will follow the Cambridgeshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Board’s procedures to ensure that children receive appropriate and effective support and protection.

Parents/carers should be aware that the law requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse and exploitation. Records of safeguarding concerns may be kept about your child. School staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with you, including referrals to other agencies.

Local procedures state that “Consent should always be sought from an adult with parental responsibility for the child/young person before passing information about them to Children’s Social Care, unless seeking consent would place the child at risk of significant harm or may lead to the loss of evidence for example destroying evidence of a crime or influencing a child about a disclosure made.” This includes allowing the school to share information without consent, if it is not possible to gain consent, if it cannot be reasonably expected that a professional gains consent, or if to gain consent would place a child at risk.

Where there is a need to share special category personal data, the Data Protection Act 2018 contains ‘safeguarding of children and individuals at risk’ as a processing condition that allows professionals to share information.

In accordance with legislation and local Information Sharing protocols, we will ensure that information is shared securely and sensitively. Information will only be shared with other services where it is deemed necessary and proportionate to ensure that children and young people are safe and receive the right service. In all circumstances, the safety of the child will be the paramount concern.

Schools will contact Children’s Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded. Parents/carers will appreciate that the member of staff in the school with responsibility for child protection (known as the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children.

Holding power

Under Section 3 (5) of the Children Act 1989, any person who has care of a child “may….do what is reasonable in all the circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding promoting the child’s welfare”. This means that on rare occasions, a school may need to “hold” a child in school whilst Social Care and the Police investigate any concerns further.

Our Commitment

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSLs act in accordance with the law and always in the best interests of the children. We ask for your understanding and support in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all pupils at our school.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL)

Our Prevent Duty of Care

At Melbourn Primary School, we are committed to safeguarding all members of our community. As part of this commitment, we follow the principles set out in The Prevent Duty (DfE, 2015), which forms part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities.

The Prevent Duty requires schools to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. It is not about spying on individuals or policing thoughts — it is about ensuring we are alert to potential risks and able to take appropriate action to protect our pupils.

At Melbourn Primary School, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Our Prevent Duty is one part of a wider culture of vigilance, care, and community building.

If you have any questions about our Prevent Duty or safeguarding practices, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Safeguarding Documents

Safer Recruitment

All volunteers and employees at Melbourn Primary School are vetted to ensure that they are suitable to work with children.

Before applicants proceed with an intention to apply for a position or to support in the school they are expected to take full consideration of the following points:

• All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. They are required to disclose all previous criminal convictions and cautions on their application.
• The school will assess a candidate’s knowledge of safeguarding by asking specific questions about this area during the interview process and answers to this question will form part of the decision-making process.
• Our safeguarding policies and procedures will be explained during induction and on a regular basis. Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone.
• Melbourn Primary School complies with all guidance on Childcare Disqualification and we will seek further advice from appropriate bodies when necessary.
• Application forms must be completed in full. Particular attention must be made to work history and inform the school of any gaps in employment. Full details of qualifications will be required.
• References will be taken up prior to interviews and any discrepancies will be addressed during the interview process.

Our Safer Recruitment-Trained Staff and Governors

What to do if you are concerned about a child

Do not keep it to yourself; if in doubt, seek advice.

If you are concerned that a child may be suffering physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect, or is at risk of significant harm, you should telephone Children’s Services using one of the following numbers:

• Cambridgeshire children: 0345 045 5203
• Peterborough children: 01733 864180
• Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team (EDT): 01733 234724