CHILD PROTECTION

Elmgrove Primary School and Nursery Unit staff have a duty of care to all children to ensure all pupils are safe and cared for. Along with the Governors, staff have a legal and moral obligation to ensure children are safe and protected when they are in school and to report any concerns about abuse or neglect. We believe that all children have the right to grow up free from harm, neglect and abuse, and we actively promote their well-being through the preventative curriculum and by fostering trust, resilience and open communication. Through vigilant, robust procedures, and a culture of care, we strive to ensure that our school is a safe place where children can learn, thrive and achieve their full potential.

We have a comprehensive child protection policy to ensure we have the required procedures in place and a Safeguarding Team which compromises of a Designated Teacher for Child Protection and six additional Deputy Designated Teachers for Child Protection.

The following are members of the school’s Safeguarding Team:

• Principal: Mrs J Jeffers
• Acting Principal: Mr J Dodds
• Designated Teacher: Ms P Russell
• Deputy Designated Teacher(s): Mr J Dodds, Mrs R Agnew, Mrs I Kelly and Mrs J Smyth
• Deputy Designated Teacher for Nursery: Miss K McCamely

Board of Governor’s representatives:

• Chair of the Board of Governors: Mr J Nicholson
• Designated Governors for Child Protection: Miss L Dawson

Should any concerns be raised, or a disclosure made, staff report to the Designated Teacher or Principal who will decide on a course or action, and if necessary make a referral to Social Service.

A copy of our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website.

SAFEGUARDING PRACTICES

All employees undergo rigorous police checks through Access NI to be vetted before taking up duty in the school. We have a safeguarding and visitor access system with entrances to the building secured during the school day to ensure pupil safety. All visitors to the school are required to enter via the main entrance and report to the office on arrival.

SAFEGUARDING PRACTICES

All employees undergo rigorous police checks through Access NI to be vetted before taking up duty in the school. We have a safeguarding and visitor access system with entrances to the building secured during the school day to ensure pupil safety. All visitors to the school are required to enter via the main entrance and report to the office on arrival.