Child Protection

At Market Weighton Infant School, we recognise that your child is our responsibility and concern. We want to work in partnership with you, and discuss with you any concerns we may have or that you may have. It is a priority to inform and involve you at every stage in your child’s time at school. However, since the first priority is your child’s welfare, there may be rare occasions when our concern about your child means that we have to consult other agencies even before we contact you.

The East Riding Safeguarding Partnership  has laid down the procedures we follow, and the school has adopted a Child Protection Policy and Staff Code of Conduct (included below) in line with this for the safety of all. All staff receive regular child protection training,

If you want to know more about our procedures or the policy below, please speak to the Headteacher (who is also our Designated Safeguarding Lead) or your child’s class teacher. Alternatively, please contact Hazel Beales, our Governor with responsibility for Child Protection (hazel.beales@mwis.eriding.net).

Click to Download MWIS Strategic Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy 2024-2025 [pdf 1MB] Click to Download
Click to Download MWIS Staff Code of Conduct 2024-2025 [pdf 244KB] Click to Download
Keeping Children Safe

Child Protection Contacts

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Miss Nicola Waites.

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) are Mrs Cowan and Mr Parker.

Our Designated Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Hazel Beales. This role includes all safeguarding matters, including online safety.

We work together with other services for children and families to support the needs of children.

If you have any queries, suggestions or you are not happy about the way that a child protection matter has been dealt with, please send a letter to Mrs Beales via the office and mark your envelope 'Private & Confidential' or contact her at hazel.beales@mwis.eriding.net. 

 

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 notification to the school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead 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. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

What should I do if I am worried about a child or young person?

If you are ever concerned that a child is in immediate danger please call the police on 999

Safeguarding children and young people is the responsibility of everyone. As a parent, carer, neighbour or anyone in contact with children and families you may at times have concerns about the welfare of a child. These could be concerns about their development, appearance or behaviour which may indicate signs of abuse. It is important to act as quickly as possible if you think a child is being harmed. If you think a child may be in danger, is at risk, is being mistreated or you have concerns about a child's well-being you should pass on your concerns to children's social care or the police.

If you think a child is being abused or neglected, contact the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH), the front door to Children’s Social Care.

During office hours: 01482 395500 Monday to Thursday 8:30am - 5pm and Friday 8:30am - 4.30pm

Outside office hours: 01482 393939 for the emergency duty team

The role of our staff

School policies are in place to ensure that there is a consistent approach to practices throughout our school and that they are understood and adhered to by staff, governors and volunteers. Adults have a tremendous impact on young children and, with this in mind, adults at Market Weighton Infant School:

  •          are good role models for children
  •          enjoy working with children
  •          welcome and support visitors in school
  •          recognise strengths in each other & use these to support everyone
  •          work within the agreed policies of the school
  •          promote a happy, caring and safe school
  •          encourage children to think for themselves
  •          encourage children to ask questions & find out the answers
  •          create an environment of trust
  •          see mistakes as part of the learning process
  •          challenge and support children’s learning.

We pride ourselves on being a ‘caring and nurturing’ school and doing the very best we can for every child in our care.We all know that children thrive better and are able to reach their full potential when school and family work closely together. There are numerous policies and procedures in place to safeguard our children. Use the drop down menu on the left to find out more.

Complaints

All members of the school community should feel able to raise or report any concerns about children’s safety or potential failures in the school’s safeguarding regime.  Market Weighton Infant School has a complaints procedure available to parents and members of staff and visitors who wish to report concerns or complaints. This can be found on the school website (under Virtual Office- Complaints) and school server in the Policies folder.

Whilst we encourage members of our community to report concerns and complaints directly to us, we recognise this may not always be possible. Children, young people, and adults who have experienced abuse at school can contact the NSPCC ‘Report Abuse in Education’ helpline on 0800 136 663 or via email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Staff can also access the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline if they do not feel able to raise concerns regarding child protection failures internally.  Staff can call 0800 028 0285 (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Friday) or email help@nspcc.org.uk.

The leadership team at Market Weighton Infant School will take all concerns reported to the school seriously and all complaints will be considered and responded to in line with the relevant and appropriate process.

Anything that constitutes an allegation against a member of staff or volunteer or is identified as a low-level concern, will be dealt with in line with section 16 of the Strategic Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy..