At Kells Lane Primary School, we are strongly committed to the safeguarding of all children. Our safeguarding procedures are underpinned by 3 key principles:
- Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility; all staff, governors and volunteers play a full role in keeping our children safe and protecting them from abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns
- Kells Lane operates a child-centred approach: a clear understanding of the needs, wishes, views and voices of children.
- All staff, governors and volunteers share a ‘it could happen here’ attitude and report all concerns. 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 of the process for allegations against professionals.
In school, the Designated Safeguarding Lead is Rachel Swinbank (Headteacher) along with 4 Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads. We also have a named safeguarding governor, Dave Henderson.
If you have concerns that a child is in immediate danger, you should contact Gateshead Children’s Services on 0191 4332653 (office hours: Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 9am – 4.30pm) or 0191 477 0844 (out of hours, at night, at weekends and bank holidays).
Operation Encompass
At Kells Lane, we are an Operation Encompass school.
Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead /Officer (known as key Adult) prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved.
Information is shared with a school’s Key Adult (Designated Safeguarding Lead or Officer) prior to the start of the next school day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.
