Safeguarding
West Kirby School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils.
Meet the Safeguarding team
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs Jess Quayle
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Our Safeguarding ethos
- We believe that this school should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical, spiritual and moral development of the individual child; enabling all children to thrive.
- We recognise the importance of providing an environment within our school that will help children feel safe and respected. We recognise the importance of enabling children to talk openly and to feel confident that they will be listened to. We recognise that both mental and physical health are relevant to safeguarding and the welfare of children
- Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at West Kirby School and College. We recognise that all adults within the school, including permanent, supply staff, temporary staff, volunteers, parents and governors, have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm.
- We will work with parents to build a solid understanding of the school’s responsibilities to ensure the welfare of all children, including the need for referrals to other agencies in some situations.
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads
Mrs Sarah Wilkinson - Designated Safeguarding Lead
Contact: swilkinson@wkrs.co.uk
Mrs Lynda Powner - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Contact: lpowner@wkrs.co.uk
Mrs Jess Quayle - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Contact: jquayle@wkrs.co.uk
Safeguarding at West Kirby School
Safeguarding is of paramount importance to all staff and this is ensured by implementing the following safeguarding policy, procedures and practise. We will support all pupils by:
- Ensuring the content of the curriculum includes social and emotional aspects of learning; Through PSHE, RSE and other curriculum contexts.
- Pupils are encouraged to talk about feelings and deal assertively with pressures, are listened to, and know to whom they can turn to for help and advice; specifically in school via tutorial time, PCT intervention or in Key work sessions in residential care.
- Providing pupils with a range of appropriate adults to approach if they are in difficulties
- Ensuring that pupils are taught about safeguarding so that they ‘recognise when they are at risk and how to get help when they need it’ (KCSIE 2023)
- Supporting the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence and encourage the development of self-esteem and self-assertiveness while not condoning aggression or bullying.
- Ensuring a comprehensive curriculum response to online safety, enabling children and parents to learn about the risks of new technologies and social media and to use these responsibly; plus Relationship and Sexual Education (RSE) requirements
- Working together with other support services and those agencies involved in safeguarding children
- Ensuring that the curriculum will help children stay safe, recognise when they do not feel safe and identify who they might or can talk to and will support young people to become more resilient to inappropriate behaviours towards them, risk taking behaviours and behaviours that children may be coerced into including ‘sexting’ and ‘Harmful Sexualised Behaviour’;
- Our behaviour policy is aimed at supporting vulnerable pupils in the school and in the residential setting.
- The school will ensure that each pupil knows that some behaviour is unacceptable but that they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred
- Ensuring repeated hate incidents, e.g. racist, homophobic or gender- or disability-based bullying, are considered under Safeguarding procedures and monitoring children who have been identified as having welfare or protection concerns and providing appropriate support.
- Acknowledging the importance of ‘contextual safeguarding’, which considers wider environmental factors in a pupil’s life that may be a threat to their safety and/or welfare. (Working together to safeguard children July 2018 and KCSIE September 2023).
- When a child feels very low, shows signs of self-harm or expresses suicidal thoughts, staff will act immediately to support the child and work together with parents/carers and external agencies (as much as is viable) to keep them safe. Parents/carers will be informed and all relevant agencies consulted in developing a Safeguarding Plan to support and protect the child which will be shared with all key adults.
- Liaising with a range of agencies that support the pupil such as Health Services, Wirral Social Care, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Education Welfare Services, Special Educational Support Services, Youth Services and the Educational Psychology Service.
What issues are Safeguarding?
What is “Safeguarding”?
- Child Protection
- Prevent & Fundamental British Values
- Radicalisation & Extremism
- Safer Recruitment and selection of staff
- Allegations of abuse against teachers and other staff
- Online Safety - See Safeguarding, Behaviour, Attitudes & Attendance Policy Handbook
- Risk assessments for off-site activities
- Health and Safety including site security
- Staff Training and raising awareness
- Safer Working Practice
Specific Safeguarding concerns:
- Bullying including cyberbullying
- Children missing from education
- Child missing from home or care
- Child sexual exploitation
- Domestic violence
- Drugs fabricated or induced illness
- Faith abuse
- Female genital mutilation
- Forced marriage
- Gangs and youth violence
- Gender based violence/violence against women and girls
- Hate crime
- Mental health
- Missing adults and children
- Online safety
- Cyber Security (Understanding responsibilities in relation to filtering & monitoring)
- Private fostering
- Radicalisation & extremism
- Relationship abuse
- Sexting
- Trafficking
Safeguarding Policy & procedures
Our Safeguarding policy and related documents can be found on our Policies page. This policy and the accompanying procedure have been developed in accordance with the following statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures:
Working Together to Safeguard Children: A Guide to Inter-Agency Working to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children, July 2018: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children
Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges, September 2023 DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
All procedures can be found on the Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership website: https://www.wirralsafeguarding.co.uk/procedures/
Our Safeguarding is also informed by Autism friendly best practice National Autistic Society Safeguarding People on the Autistic Spectrum
Reporting a Concern
When a member of staff or child has a concern about somebody at risk of harm we have a clear process embedded within our policies & procedures at WKS. The process is:
- If a child has a concern, they can speak to any member of staff. Our staff have been trained to listen and pass on this concern to the appropriate person. If the concern is about themselves, another pupil or an adult (not staff), this will be passed directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, or Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
- If a member of staff has a concern about a child this will be passed directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, or Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
- If a parent/carer has a concern about a child they can contact a member of staff who will pass on to the relevant lead/service.
- If the concern is about a member of staff this will be passed on to the Headteacher, Mr Hicks.
- For further information on the processes of reporting a concern please refer to our current Safeguarding Policy or KCSIE24
How to report a concern outside of school hours
- If you are a Wirral resident and a child or young person is at risk of harm, abuse or neglect, please report it to the Wirral Integrated Front Door on 0151 606 2008 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours call 0151 677 6557.
- Full details of Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership: https://www.wirralsafeguarding.co.uk/procedures/
In an emergency always dial 999.
Reporting Bullying
Mr Kev Brown - Anti-Bullying Lead, Pastoral Care Team
Contact: kbrown@wkrs.co.uk
"The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online." ANTI-BULLYING ALLIANCE, Definition of bullying
- If you have a worry or an issue, it’s always best to talk to an adult about it.
- Visit the Anti-Bullying page to find out more how we support this in school
Are you a parent, carer, family member?
How to report bullying for someone who you may be concerned about
- Speak to Mr Brown, Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator - either in person or by email kbrown@wkrs.co.uk
- Speak to any member of staff – they may need to pass your concern on to your Pastoral Leader and / or the Safeguarding Team
- Speak directly to your Form Tutor any member of the Pastoral Team or any member of staff
Are you are a pupil?
- Speak to Mr Brown, Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator - either in person or by email kbrown@wkrs.co.uk
- Speak to any member of staff – they may need to pass your concern on to your Pastoral Leader and / or the Safeguarding Team
- Speak directly to your Form Tutor any member of the Pastoral Team or any member of staff
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead /Officer (known as key Adult) prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved.
Information is shared with a school’s Key Adult (Designated Safeguarding Lead or Officer) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
Useful Safeguarding links
Please find below some external websites that provide advice and guidance on a range of safety issues:
Local Links
CAMHS | https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/our-services/wirral/camhs-0-18-wirral
Provides treatment and support to young people that are experiencing mental health difficulties
Family Toolbox | https://familytoolbox.co.uk/
Tips and tools for family life on the Wirral
Wirral Gov | https://www.wirral.gov.uk/benefits-and-money/emergency-financial-support
Offers emergency financial support to parents
0-19 Health & Wellbeing Service | https://localofferwirral.org/listing/0-19-health-and-wellbeing-service/
A range of support for young people and families
Family Hubs
Family Hubs are spaces where families with children aged 0 to 19 (25 with SEND) can easily access a wide range of non-judgemental support to help them live well in Wirral. They bring together maternity services, health visitors, infant feeding support, parenting support and activities for children aged 0 to 5.
https://www.wirral.gov.uk/early-years-and-childcare/family-hubs
https://familytoolbox.co.uk/resource-list/family-hubs/
Koala | https://koalanw.co.uk/family-support
Trained family support mentors who can visit you, offering flexible support that is tailored to your family needs
Response | https://www.talktofrank.com/treatment-centre/response
A confidential service for people ages 13-19, offering a wide range of support covering drugs and alcohol, mental health and homelessness
Cafe Create |https://www.zillowirral.co.uk/
A place for young people to relax, be supported, get informed and get involved
Talking Together Wirral | https://www.nhs.uk/services/clinic/talking-together-wirral/NDC17
A free confidential service available to anyone aged 16 or over
The Hive Youth Zone | https://www.thehiveyouthzone.org/
A purpose built facility for young people aged 8-19, and up to 25 for those with disabilities
Wirral Foodbank | https://wirral.foodbank.org.uk/
Helping local people in crisis
Teenage Helpline | https://www.wirralinfobank.co.uk/Services/4131
Puts young people in contact with peers, as well as offering other support
Zillo | https://www.zillowirral.co.uk/about-4
A website for young people to get information on the latest events, news, expert health and wellbeing advice
Tomorrow’s Women | https://www.tomorrowswomen.org.uk/
Support for women and girls facing personal problems
Sexual Health Wirral | https://www.sexualhealthwirral.nhs.uk/
Free and confidential contraception and sexual health services for people living on the Wirral
Brook Wirral | https://www.sexualhealthwirral.nhs.uk/our-services/aged-19-and-under/brook-wirral/
Free and confidential services for people aged 19 and under, offering sexual health screening, contraception, pregnancy testing, condoms and advice
Barnardos | https://www.barnardos.org.uk/
Providing support for young people in care
Self injury support for women and girls | https://www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk/
Self-harm and self-injury charity offering direct support
Crea8ing Community | https://www.crea8ingcommunity.com/
Peer led support group for parents of children with mental health and SEND support needs
Team Mental Health Provision | https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/our-services
A range of services to support parents and families
The Martin Gallier Project | https://www.themartingallierproject.org/
Supporting an individual who is experiencing suicidal crisis
The Paul Lavelle Foundation | https://paullavellefoundation.co.uk/
Providing support for low to medium risk males experiencing domestic abuse
Nacro – https://www.nacro.org.uk/
Advise and support disadvantaged young people and adults
The Rollercoaster Project | https://letstalkaboutloss.org/
Improving youth access to bereavement support, led by young people themselves
Young Person’s Advisory Service | https://ypas.org.uk/gyro-parents-group-pilot/
For parents of transgender and non binary young people, or those exploring or questioning their gender
Useful Resources
Samaritans | https://www.samaritans.org
Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you
Childline | https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through
Educate Against Hate | https://educateagainsthate.com/
Practical advice for parents, carers, and staff on protecting young people from extremism and radicalism
Parent/Carer Information
NSPCC | https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Advice, guidance and support
Family Lives | https://www.familylives.org.uk
Building better family lives together
Internet Safety
Thinkuknow | https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline
My Safety Net | https://mysafetynet.org.uk/
Safety Net is a charity which helps children and young people feel safe and confident
CEOP Internet Safety | https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Make a report to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors
Get Safe Online | https://www.getsafeonline.org/
Advice and help about online safety
Substance Abuse
Talk to Frank | https://www.talktofrank.com/
Honest information about drugs
Teens Health – Drugs and Alcohol | https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/drug-alcohol/?WT.ac=t-nav-drug-alcohol#catnutrition
Links to information about drugs and alcohol
Turning Point | https://www.turning-point.co.uk/
Drug and alcohol support for young people
Self Harm
National Self Harm Network | https://www.nshn.co.uk/
The forum provides crisis support, information and resources, advice, discussions and distractions
ALUMINA | https://www.selfharm.co.uk/
FREE ONLINE SELF-HARM SUPPORT FOR 14-19’S
NHS Self harm guide | http://www.selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/bsmhft/leaflets/selfhelp/Self%20Harm.pdf
This booklet is for people who deliberately harm themselves and are unhappy about it. It is also for family and friends who may have difficulty understanding this behaviour
Mental Health
Rethink Mental Illness | https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/
Guidance and support with mental health
Young Minds | https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Helping young people get the mental health support they need
NHS | https://www.nhs.uk/
Information and guidance around mental health
Kooth | https://www.kooth.com/
Mental Wellbeing
Bereavement
Winston’s Wish | https://www.winstonswish.org/
Winston’s Wish support children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling
Cruse Bereavement Care | https://www.cruse.org.uk/
Cruse Bereavement Care are here to support you after the death of someone close
Sexual Health
Brook | https://www.brook.org.uk/
Your free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing experts
NHS | https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/
Information about sexual health
Eating Disorders
Beat Eating Disorders | https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/do-i-have-an-eating-disorder/
Advice, guidance and support about eating disorders
Education Ofsted Inspection December 2021 reported:
‘Staff are well trained to identify any concerns about pupils. Leaders have a clear and well established system which staff use to report any concerns that emerge. The safeguarding team considers these reports daily and takes swift and appropriate action. Leaders work closely with other agencies to support pupils who are at risk. Leaders and staff make sure that pupils are able to develop resilience and the ability to keep themselves safe in school, in the community and online.’
Care Ofsted Inspection February 23 reported:
‘Leaders and managers ensure that staff undertake regular training so that their understanding of safeguarding children is current and up to date. This includes areas such as ‘Prevent’ duty and radicalisation. Leaders and managers are proactive in their response to safeguarding, it goes on to say that, ‘Leaders and managers have effective working relationships with other safeguarding agencies, such as the designated officer and local police officers.’
