Safeguarding
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting children from harm, preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring they grow up in safe circumstances. It includes child protection, but is much broader, encompassing all aspects of keeping children safe.
Our safeguarding commitment includes:
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Promoting positive behaviour and respect among pupils and staff
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Maintaining rigorous recruitment and training processes for all staff
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Responding quickly to any concerns about a child’s welfare
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Teaching children about how to stay safe, including online safety
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Working closely with parents, carers, and partner agencies
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
At Upperby Primary School, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where all pupils can thrive and feel protected. The attached information provides our policies on how we ensure the safety of our children across all aspects of children’s school and their wider lives.
Our staff are fully trained in safeguarding procedures and follow the guidance set out by Cumbria County Council and national legislation. We work closely with families and external agencies to ensure any concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
The school also has a statutory responsibility to share any concerns it might have about a child in need of protection with other agencies and in particular police, health and children’s services. Schools are not able to investigate child protection concerns but have a legal duty to refer them.
In most instances the school will be able to inform the parents/carer of its need to make a referral. However, sometimes the school is advised by children’s services or police that the parent/carer cannot be informed whilst they investigate the matter or make enquiries.
We understand the anxiety parents/carers understandably feel when they are not told about any concerns from the outset. The school follows legislation that aims to act in the interests of the child.
Upperby Primary School will always seek to work in partnership with parents and other agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for the child and family.
Our school is committed to safeguarding children and promoting children’s welfare and expects all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment and maintain a vigilant and safe environment.
Everyone has a responsibility to act without delay to protect children by reporting anything that might suggest a child is being abused or neglected.
By signing in to our site, you are agreeing to follow the school’s safeguarding advice to visitors and, where appropriate, the code of conduct for adults.
Our Safeguarding Team
In school, we have several members of senior staff, who are responsible for ensuring that our Safeguarding policies, practices and procedures are implemented and maintained; known as the Safeguarding Team. If you have any concerns or worries about any children, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the school’s Safeguarding Team.
If you have any concerns regarding the safety of children in our school, please contact either:
Mrs J Chandler - Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs J Chan - Pastoral Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs P Burns - Headteacher and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs C Wilson – Governor responsible for Safeguarding
At Upperby Primary School, we take safeguarding seriously because every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and cared for.
Reporting Concerns
If you are concerned about the safety of a child at Upperby Primary School, please speak to one of our safeguarding leads or use the Cumbria Safeguarding Hub contact details below:
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Cumbria Safeguarding Hub: 0333 240 1727 (Monday to Thursday 8:30am – 5pm, Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm)
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Out of hours Emergency Duty Team: 01228 526690
For more information about safeguarding, you can visit:
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Cumbria County Council Safeguarding
Online Safety
We want everyone to safely enjoy the internet. O2 have created resources to help parents regularly discuss online safety with their children. This empowers families to confidently explore the digital world.
Check out their online safety resources at https://www.o2.co.uk/help/online-safety
Safeguarding Information for Parents
NSPCC's Summary of Keeping Children Safe in Education
Is my Child Ready to be Out Alone?
Is my Child Old Enough to be Left at Home?
Keep your Child Safe from Abuse
Protecting your Child from Extremism
