At Whitchurch Primary School, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We adopt a child-centred approach and always act in the best interests of the child. 

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

• providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge
• protecting children from maltreatment, whether that occurs within or outside the home, including online
• preventing the impairment of children's mental and physical health or development
• ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

For safeguarding purposes, a child is anyone under the age of 18. 

What is Child Protection?

Child protection is part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the action taken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm. Child protection work involves identifying concerns, sharing information appropriately and taking prompt action to keep children safe. 

Early Help

Children and families may benefit from early help at any point in a child's life. Early help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges, before issues escalate and become more difficult to address. 

Support may be available for:

• emotional health and wellbeing
• attendance and engagement in education
• parenting and family relationships
• domestic abuse
• financial difficulties
• bereavement or family crisis
• special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

If you are a Bristol resident you can contact their services directly ... https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/social-care-and-health/children-and-families/help-for-families/early-help 

• Bristol Family Hubs​

• Home-Start Bristol and South Gloucestershire​

• Every Family​

• Family Nurse Partnership​

If you are a BANES resident you can contact their services directly ... https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/get-early-help 

• Bristol Family Hubs​

• BANES live well directory​

• Southside Family Support (BANES)​

• Bath Area Play Project (BAPP)​

• Home-Start Bristol & South Gloucestershire​

• Bath & Bristol Parenting Hub​

• Dads and Partners Support​

• FamilyLine​

Online Safety

Technology plays an important role in children's learning and development. We recognise the educational benefits of technology whilst understanding that children can also be exposed to risks online.

Our approach to online safety includes education, supervision, filtering and monitoring systems, and working in partnership with families. We teach pupils how to stay safe online and how to respond appropriately to concerns including cyberbullying, online abuse, inappropriate content, misinformation and online exploitation.

What to Do if You Have a Concern About a Child

If you are worried about the safety or welfare of a child, please speak to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Miss Holly Cefai
📞 01275 833594
📧 holly.cefai@whitchurchprimary.co.uk

If a child is in immediate danger, contact the police by calling 999. 

If the child is a Bristol resident you can contact https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/social-care-and-health/children-and-families/concerns-about-a-child 

If the child is a BANES resident you can contact https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/report-concern-about-child 

What to Do if You Need Help

If you are a parent, carer, child or young person and would like support, please speak to a member of our safeguarding team. We can help signpost families to appropriate services and support.

We believe that seeking help early leads to the best outcomes for children and families. If you are worried about your child's wellbeing, attendance, behaviour, mental health or family circumstances, please contact the school so that we can work together to help.