Safeguarding

Safeguarding Statement

At Aragon Primary School we recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils. We make every effort to provide an environment in which children and adults feel safe, secure, valued and respected, and feel confident to talk if they are worried, believing they will be effectively listened to.

Safeguarding is our duty of care to minimise the risk of harm to children regardless of their age, gender, religion or ethnicity.

The purpose of Aragon Primary School's safeguarding policy is to provide a secure framework for our staff to safeguard and promote the welfare of the pupils who attend our school.

The policy aims to ensure that:

• All our pupils are safe and protected from harm
• Policies and guidelines are in place to enable our pupils to feel safe and adopt safe practises
• Staff, pupils, governors, visitors, volunteers, parents and carers are aware of the expected behaviours and the school’s legal responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and promoting the safety and well-being of all our pupils

What to do if you are worried about a child:

If you have any concerns about the well-being or safety of a child at our school or feel that something may be troubling them, you should share this information with an appropriate member of staff straight away.

Some issues such as a child’s appearance, hygiene or general behaviour can be shared with any member of staff in the school.  Please do not worry that you may be reporting a small matter – we would rather you tell us concerns, which turn out to be minor than miss a worrying situation. 

However, if you think that the matter is serious and may be related to a child protection concern - where the child has been harmed, or is at risk of harm, e.g. physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect, you must ring the school on 020 8337 0505 and ask to talk to one of the Designated Safeguarding Lead’s (DSLs) immediately.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are:

If you are unable to contact a DSL, you can ask the school office staff to find them and ask them to contact you straight away about a confidential and urgent matter. Please do not conduct your own investigation.

If your concerns relate to a member of staff's suitability to work with children, please speak to a DSL immediately, in confidence, who will refer the matter to the Headteacher (or Chair of Governors if the concern relates to the Headteacher) who will investigate and consider what action to take.

Our procedures provide a robust framework which enables staff to take appropriate action when they are concerned that a child is being harmed or abused or is at risk of harm or abuse. The prime concern at all stages must be the interests and safety of the child. Where there is a conflict of interest between the child and an adult, the interests of the child must be paramount.

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is John Shelley. 

E-mail: lado@merton.gov.uk 

Tel: 020 8585 3187

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Domestic Violence: Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse.  Aragon Primary school is part of this partnership.

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.

For more information click here: Operation Encompass