At Poulner Infant School and Nursery, the safety, wellbeing and happiness of every child is our highest priority.

We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where children feel secure, valued and listened to. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and is at the heart of everything we do.

Members of Staff Responsible
We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe, however here are our Designated Safeguarding Leads:

• Jo Conner (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

• Nicky Homewood

• Alex Peters

• Gabrielle Anthony

All have received DSL training from Hampshire County Council and attend refresher training. 

What does a DSL do?
The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead was specified in the Children Act and ensured the every organisation had a “named person” for safeguarding children and young people. Prior to that, the role had frequently been known as the Child Protection Officer. The Designated Safeguarding Lead has a responsibility at both a strategic level within the organisation and on a day to day basis.

Key Aspects of the Designated Lead role includes:
- Making sure all staff are aware how to raise safeguarding concerns
- Ensuring  all staff understand the symptoms of child abuse and neglect
- Referring  any concerns to social care
- Monitoring children who are the subject of child protection plans
- Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records

Staff Training
Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow. Staff training is delivered via a variety of means: face to face in and out of school training, online refreshers and information raising, document sharing and on-going professional dialogues during staff meetings. Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children and their concerns are discussed and handled appropriately.

Safer Recruitment
We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. At least one senior member of staff is qualified in Safer Recruitment Procedures and governors responsible for recruitment.

​E-Safety
E-Safety is a key aspect of our duty to keep children safe - both inside and outside of school. 

If you have any concerns outside of school hours, or feel it more appropriate to make a referral to Social Services directly, please contact Hampshire Children's Services  0300 555 1384.
 

Safeguarding in the Curriculum 

Pupil safeguarding and the promotion of fundamental British Values are of primary importance at Poulner Infant School and Nursery. We are fully aware of the need to support children across a range of safeguarding matters, as well as support issues specifically related to the local context. Importance is placed on identifying opportunities in the taught curriculum for children to learn about safeguarding. Our curriculum gives pupils opportunities to experience life in all its diversity, to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills that significantly impact on personal development, behaviour and welfare. It equips every child with the knowledge and skills required for personal safeguarding. We have developed an open and safe learning environment in which pupils express their views, seek help and help others. Staff and children are quick to challenge stereotypes and the use of derogatory language in lessons and around school. Time is taken at the beginning of every new school year to reaffirm the school values and expectations for learning. This good start to the year, with everyone clear about their roles and responsibilities, sets the tone for the rest of the year and leads to excellent safeguarding outcomes

Prevent

Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including political and religious extremism. From July 2015 all schools have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.  Importantly, schools can provide a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so that they better understand how to protect themselves.

Children are spending more time than ever on social media and gaming platforms, so it is no surprise that online grooming by extremists is on the rise. Young people are especially being targeted by groups and individuals promoting violence and hatred.

Helping your child be digitally aware and knowing the signs of radicalisation will help keep them safe and protect them from potential risks. You want your child to be happy and healthy and that means you already know the places you can get help and advice if they’re not well or are struggling at school.

We want our children to know that there are trusted adults in school who will listen to them, take their worries seriously and help them when they need it. Through our curriculum, relationships and everyday experiences, we help children learn how to recognise when something does not feel right, how to keep themselves safe and how to ask for help.

All members of staff receive regular safeguarding training and understand their responsibility to recognise, respond to and report concerns about a child's welfare. We follow statutory safeguarding guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, and work closely with parents, carers and external agencies when necessary to ensure children receive the right support.

We recognise that safeguarding extends beyond the school gates. This includes children's physical and emotional wellbeing, online safety, attendance, relationships and their experiences within the wider community. We aim to work in partnership with families, because open and trusting relationships between home and school are an important part of keeping children safe.

If you are ever concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please speak to a member of our Designated Safeguarding Team. No concern is too small to share.

At Poulner, we listen, we notice and we act – because every child has the right to feel safe.