At Fir Tree we are committed to the highest levels of safeguarding practice and expect all staff, and visitors, to share in this commitment.  Safeguarding is everybody's responsibility.

 We have several members of staff who have received enhanced training in order to be 'Designated Safeguarding Leads' in school.

Fir Tree Primary School Safeguarding Team

If you are concerned about a child at the school, please report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Every colleague at Fir Tree receives training on safeguarding throughout the school year. Staff also keep up-to-date with current legislation and practice, e.g. by knowing the content of Keeping Children Safe in Education and its implications on school life, and through regular updates in staff meetings.

We follow careful 'Safer Recruitment' procedures where every staff member is rigorously checked to ensure that they are suitable to work in our school.  

Keeping your child safe 

Safeguarding culture in our school ensures all staff know their duties and how to keep children safe. Children are able to talk to any one of our caring staff if they have concerns or worries (or for any other reason).  If your child says something that is concerning, this may be noted down in our records and the safeguarding leads will be notified.  Staff will also be vigilant  for signs of any abuse. For example: bruises or unexplained injuries, extreme hunger or tiredness, change of personality, change in appearance etc.

Usually staff will ask you about this directly – and sometimes there will be a very plausible reason for this.  This is why it is vital that you keep us informed if something happens at home so that we can do our very best to support your child. 

Staff have access to a wide range of support that they can identify with you as appropriate. This ranges from local groups and charities to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, who take referrals where families may benefit from wider help.

Online Safety

Children are taught regularly and carefully how to stay safe online, and it is important that this continues at home. Parents may find the attached guides to Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok helpful.  

Staying safe at home

We are here to help wider than school, and we ask parents to contact us if you are worried about anything at home or in you or your child's wider daily life. The resources below may be useful for you and your family.

Operation Encompass

Our school is part of Operation Encompass, which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse and other issues that may impact upon their wellbeing. Our police force will now share details about children who are missing from home with us so that we can appropriately understand and support their needs when they return.

As a school, we have ensured that a member of our staff, known as a Key Adult, has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures, allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the child/ren in our care. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 identifies children who experience domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right. We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.