Safeguarding

Safeguarding at The Nightingale Federation

The Nightingale Federation safeguarding policy provides clear direction to all school stakeholders about expected practice in dealing with safeguarding issues. It makes explicit the school’s commitment to the development of good practice and effective procedures, ensuring that safeguarding concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in a way that supports and protects the needs of the child.

There are three main aims to our Safeguarding Policy:

Prevention: by creating a positive school atmosphere and providing high quality teaching and pastoral support to pupils;
Protection: by following agreed procedures and ensuring staff are appropriately recruited, trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Safeguarding concerns;
Support: by providing support for pupils and school staff and for children who may have been or are being abused. All those working in education can contribute to the safeguarding and protection of the welfare of a child in need.

According to the DfE, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

protecting children from maltreatment;
preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility at The Nightingale Federation. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

This policy applies to all who come into contact with children at The Nightingale Federation including:

Teachers
Teaching assistants
Administrative assistants
Students
Wrap Around Care assistants
Midday supervisors/Catering team
Caretaking and Cleaning team
Visitors/volunteers
Adult helpers
Governors

Safeguarding issues pertinent to our schools are currently linked to the effects of increased time online (knowing how to keep safe in this virtual environment), appropriate use of social and children’s mental health issues.

Safeguarding, Family Support and Wellbeing Resources/Services

NHS Just One Norfolk
Norfolk & Waveney – Mental Health Advice & Support for 0 -25’s (justonenorfolk.nhs.uk)
0300 3000123 or text 07520 631590
Or there is a contact form on the website

Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS)
Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS) Norfolk County Council | Norfolk Community Directory
0344 800 8020

NSPCC
NSPCC | The UK children’s charity | NSPCC 0808 800 5000 or 0800 1111 if you are under 18