As a School, We Are Strongly Committed to Safeguarding
Safeguarding procedures at Holmer C E Academy are underpinned by three key principles:

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: all staff, governors and volunteers play their full part in keeping our children safe and protecting them from abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns.
• Holmer operates a child-centred approach: a clear understanding of the needs, wishes, views and voices of children.
• All staff, governors and volunteers have a clear understanding regarding abuse and neglect in all forms; including how to identify, respond and report. This also includes knowledge in the process for allegations against professionals.

Safeguarding children – Information for Parents
At Holmer, therefore, we believe that it is of the utmost importance to have robust systems for protecting children and safeguarding their welfare, throughout all the activities which the school undertakes. All our pupils have a right to be safe and to be treated with respect and dignity and we work effectively with outside agencies to ensure that this is the case.

Safeguarding in school is a very wide area which covers all aspects of keeping children safe at all times.  It includes the physical environment of the school buildings and land, a wide range of practices and procedures, and close liaison with a range of other agencies.

As part of our Safeguarding role, we teach all children how to keep themselves and others safe (at an age-appropriate level). Our PSHE Scheme of Work includes work on Personal Safety including road safety,  Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Bullying, Inappropriate touching, Secrets, Relationships, Cyber Bullying, Internet security etc. Children are also given clear information about how to report things they feel uncomfortable about.

We are committed to monitoring and listening to all our pupils to identify possible problems. Where there are serious concerns about a child’s safety, we will share our concerns and work closely with the relevant authorities.

You may be concerned about a child or young person. You may or may not know them, or even their name. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Abuse can take many different forms, such as neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional abuse.

Don’t assume that someone else will take responsibility and make that phone call. You could help to save a child’s life. If you are worried, report it.

If you think that a child has been harmed or is being neglected, speak to the DSL or contact the MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) or the Police using the details below:

Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

To speak to the team – (01432) 260800

To email the team – cypd@herefordshire.gov.uk 

If you are a professional, complete the Multi-agency Referral Form (MARF) to make a referral to the MASH. The MARF and accompanying guidance can also be found on the West Midlands Child Protection Procedures website.

Emergency Duty Team

(01905) 768020 (out of hours number for when MASH are unavailable)

In an emergency

If someone is injured or in immediate danger:

• Telephone: 999 – police, fire, ambulance

If there is no emergency but you think a crime may have been committed:

• Telephone: West Mercia Police 101*

CEOP

CEOP is here to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online.

You can make a report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre by clicking on the Click CEOP button if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried. This might be from someone you know in real life, or someone you have only ever met online. CEOP take all reports seriously and we will do everything we can to keep you safe.

As well as making a report to the CEOP Safety Centre, the CEOP Education website has information and advice to help you if something has happened to you online.

Are you being bullied?

CEOP are unable to respond to reports about bullying but if you’re being bullied and would like to talk to someone in confidence right now you can speak to Childline on 0800 1111 or talk to them online – no worry is too big or too small.