What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
Safeguarding means:
Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18
What is Child Protection?
Child Protection is part of Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding approach, including the WLT Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, which can be viewed in the Policies section of our website and is also included below.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with his/her parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Our Safeguarding Team
| Designated Safeguarding Lead | Lorna Parle |
| Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead | Cheryl Bull |
| Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Pre-school) | Lisa Banwell |
| Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Pre-school) | Natalie Picton |
| Safeguarding Governor | Lorraine Clarke |
If you have any concerns or queries regarding a child at the school, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01278 760490 or email the school office. You will be directed to a member of staff who will be more than happy to support or advise you. Alternatively, our Safeguarding Governor can be contacted via email at lclarke@markfirstschool.co.uk.
Below are some key contact points.
Social Care Referral and Assessment Team
Monday - Friday 8.30am - 6pm
0300 1232224
Emergency Duty Team
Outside office hours
0300 1232327
Local Authority Designated Officer - LADO
0300 1232224
somersetlado@somerset.gov.uk
At Mark First & Pre-school CE Academy we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure children and young people receive effective support, protection and justice.
The Governors of Mark First & Pre-school CE Academy are committed to the safeguarding of all children, staff and visitors at the Academy. Safeguarding is a high priority, with arrangements in place to ensure children feel, and are safe, both on Academy premises and during off-site activities. The Academy follows the Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ and ‘Working together to safeguard children’. The learner experience and individual achievement and development are paramount and safeguarding initiatives are developed to impact positively upon this. The Academy also ensures that safeguarding legislation and guidance is adhered to and taken into account when developing and revisiting policies, procedures and associated arrangements.
The Academy provides a safe physical environment for its learners, staff and visitors, ensuring that site and premises are of a good standard. Health and Safety arrangements are in place to ensure adherence to current legislation and guidance and Safeguarding is included as a regular agenda item on all routine Academy meetings. The Academy has policies and procedures in place to deal effectively with child protection and safeguarding issues together with recording and monitoring processes.
Staff are asked to and submit their concerns online by logging into Edukey here, the DSL / DDSL will respond within 48hrs.
If you have concerns within the school day and you feel the concern puts someone at imminent and significant risk of harm, please also report verbally to the DSL (or DDSL if DSL not available) as soon as possible and they will ensure a call is made to Somerset Direct 0300 123 2224 or the police 101/999.
Online Safety
At Mark First and Pre-school CE Academy we recognise the benefits and opportunities that new technologies offer to teaching and learning. We encourage the use of technology in order to enhance skills and promote achievement. However, the accessible and global nature of the internet and variety of technologies available mean that we are also aware of potential risks and challenges associated with such use.
Please see our Online Safety for Parents page for more information. Use the links below to help you and your family with various matters of online safety:
| Safer Internet | A website providing support and services to children and young people, adults facing online harms, and professionals working with children. |
| ThinkUknow | Information and advice for parents to help keep their children safe on the internet. |
| Childnet | Parents and Carers Toolkit – Three resources that offer practical tips and advice on different aspects of keeping your child safe online. |
| NSPCC | Keeping Children Safe Online – advice to help you learn about staying safe online as a family. |
If you worried about the way someone has been communicating with you or your child online, you can make a report to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors. The website below also has a range of information about keeping yourself or a child you know safe from child exploitation:
Wessex Learning Trust fully recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We work together with other agencies to ensure we effectively identify, assess and support children who are suffering from harm.
Safeguarding our school’s community is of paramount importance. We ensure that all our staff are aware of, and have the skills to deal with, any child protection or safeguarding concerns. All our staff uphold our strong ethos and values. Staff receive regular updates as part of their child protection training.