Safeguarding
The safety, welfare and care of our pupils is paramount. We are committed to the highest standards in protecting and safeguarding the children at all times.
|
If you have safeguarding concerns about a child please email school. Alternatively, Birmingham City Council Children's Trust can also be contacted on 0121 303 1888 Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 5:15pm Emergency out-of-hours Telephone: 0121 675 4806 |
The school adheres to the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board procedures.
Child Protection
All staff have a duty to safeguard children and our Child Protection policy sets out the details. Staff are instructed to report any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). We have three designated senior personnel to deal with Child Protection issues when they arise:
- Fiona Lindsay (Assistant Headteacher and Lead DSL)
- Julie Aulton (Headteacher and Deputy DSL)
- Dan Purcell (Learning Mentor and Deputy DSL)
If a member of staff is concerned about a child's welfare the DSL will keep a record of the concern and may liaise with Social Care Services if necessary. Parents would normally be informed of a referral taking place, however in certain circumstances there may be a need to contact other agencies without notifying parents first.
See our Child protection/Safeguarding policy for further information.
Please see the e-safety page of our website for specific information regards this.
We use the curriculum in school to raise children's awareness of safety so that they understand how to stay safe and what to do if they feel unsafe.
Anti-Bullying
Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in our school. We strive to maintain our anti-bullying ethos in which relationships are based on mutual respect, trust, caring and consideration for others. If bullying does occur, all pupils should feel empowered to tell someone and feel secure in the knowledge that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.
We recognise the need not only to respond to and manage incidents of bullying effectively, but also to actively seek to prevent the occurrence of bulling. We aim to promote a common set of values relating to the constructive management of peer relationships and co-operative behaviours. We actively promote the safeguarding of children through the National Curriculum (ie. issues of personal safety, self-esteem, anti-bullying, and racism).
If any parent is concerned about a child's behaviour at school, they can contact the class teacher directly and it will be dealt with immediately. We get very few incidences of bullying type behaviour amongst our children, but please do get in touch if you are concerned.
Read our Anti-Bullying policy for more information.
Operation Encompass
Highters Heath Community School takes part in a project run jointly between schools and West Midlands Police.
Operation Encompass is reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has been exposed to, or involved in, any domestic incident including domestic violence.
Operation Encompass ensures that a member of the school staff, known as a Key Adult, is trained to allow them to liaise with the local authority and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, while ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been involved in, or exposed to, a domestic abuse incident.
We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this to be extremely beneficial for all those involved.
For more information about this, please visit www.operationencompass.org
If you you are experiencing domestic violence, please click on the following links for support or speak to one of our DSLs:
Respect or call 08088024040
Safer Recruitment
The Governing Body recognises the legal requirements for recruiting and employing people to work in the school and following these requirements is an essential part of its duty of care.
The school has a Safer Recruitment Policy that is available on request.
All of our interview panels have at least one member of staff who has undertaken a safer recruitment training course. All applicants who are invited to interviews must undertake a Warner interview as part of the interview process.
Site Safety
Site safety is extremely important, and we look after your children very carefully whilst they are with us. For the children's safety playground doors are locked at 8:55am, and children arriving late must enter school via the main entrance and sign in.
Gates to the school are locked each day between 8.55am to 3.00pm. This prevents vehicular traffic from entering or leaving the school premises during times when large numbers of parents and children will be present.
All visitors must sign in at the front desk and wear a visitor's badge whilst they are on site.
All staff are mindful that they should raise any concerns or any dangers around school immediately.
We have at least termly fire drill practices.
Our Site Manager keeps a school logbook up to date which ensures that all the necessary statutory testing in completed as appropriate.
Health and Safety
Routine hearing and sight checks are carried out in school during the Reception year.
If you think your child has a medical condition that may affect them in school, please let the class teacher or office know as soon as possible.
If your child is ill, please keep them at home until they are fully recovered, particularly if they have had any kind of sickness or diarrhoea. They must be clear of sickness and diarrhoea symptoms for 48 hours before they return to school.
If you do change your phone number or address - it is vital that you inform school as soon as possible.
Medicine in School
The only medicine administrated on a regular basis in school is for children with Asthma. The inhaler should be clearly marked with your child's name, class, and instructions for use. Remember to collect and wash spacers on a regular basis.
If your child suffers from an allergic reaction, an EpiPen should be kept on site. We have an emergency EpiPen on site, which we may use in an emergency.
To enable children to continue to attend school prescribed medication will be administered but only if the correct form, giving us permission, has been filled in and signed. You can obtain a form from the school office.
