Safeguarding

Safeguarding children and protecting them from harm is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.  Everyone at Byron takes this role extremely seriously and our approach to safeguarding is underpinned by two key principles:

 

• a child-centred approach: for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of children; and

• safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: for services to be effective each professional and organisation should play their full part.

 

At Byron we fulfil these principles by always putting the needs of each individual child at the centre of what we do; working closely with other agencies to provide effective support; and providing staff with regular and up-to-date safeguarding training.

 

Mr Carthy is the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead. This includes Prevent, Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Marriage.

 

Mr Presneill and Mrs Ford are Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads. Mrs Vella is the Senior Welfare Officer. All have received up to date DSL training. Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs Rosamond have also received the same level of training.

 

Mrs England is the Data Protection Officer for The Westbrook Trust.

 

Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy is available HERE. 

 

Click HERE to view a copy of Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024).

 

Worried about a child?

Click HERE for information, help, support and advice if you are worried about a child in Medway.

 

Making a referral to Medway Council Children's Social Care

If you have concerns that a child or young person living in Medway is suffering from harm please use the following contact details;

 

  • Telephone: 01634 334466

  • 24 hour emergency number: 03000 419191

 

Alternative telephone numbers where you have concerns about a child.

  • NSPCC 08088005000
  • Child Line 08001111

 

Other useful contact details

  • Non emergency number 101
  • Emergency number 999
  • LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) - Tel: 01634 331065

 

Prevent Radicalisation and Extremism by Acting Early

It can be hard to know what to do if you’re worried someone close is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could lead to them harming themselves or others. 

Act early and share your concerns in confidence. You won’t be wasting time and you won’t ruin lives, but you might save them.

Click HERE to share a concern.

 

PANTS rule from NSPCC

Click here for a great booklet from NSPCC with advise for parents on how to support their children with respecting and keeping safe their body.

 

Mental Health

Mental illness can affect anyone, of any age, of any background, at any time. Get advice and support on helping a child if they're struggling with their mental health by clicking here.

 

 

Bullying

There is no legal definition of bullying.

However, it’s usually defined as behaviour that is:

·        repeated

·        intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally

·        often aimed at certain groups, for example because of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation

 

We use the following terms in school to help children unstand what bullying is:

 

Unkind: when someone says something that is not nice, or hurtful but they do this only once (a one-off).

Tease: when someone makes fun of or jokes about someone but only once (a one-off).

Bully: when someone is repeatedly unkind or hurtful to another person (it’s ongoing, not a one-off).

 

If you feel your child is being bullied (repeaded unkind or hurtful behaviour), please speak with your child's class teacher.