Safeguarding is what we do for all children to keep them safe whilst in our care.  Child Protection describes the policy and procedures specifically for those children who are at risk of serious harm or have been seriously harmed. 

Safeguarding starts as soon as children enter the school and aims to ensure that all our staff are well trained and know how to act appropriately.  Our staff and volunteers go through all safeguarding checks on successful appointments to the school. When staff have concerns they know who to speak to and understand the next steps that will take place. 

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play.  In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners should make sure their approach  is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child (Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2023)

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies, when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare. 

We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to encounter radicalism and extremism. 

The Safeguarding Team at Riverside Primary School:

Staff with designated responsibilities for safeguarding undertake regular specialist training. All staff members and anyone who volunteers with us undertakes training in child protection and this is refreshed regularly. 

The RBWM Multi-Agency Hub (MASH) can be contacted on 01628 683150 or out of hours Emergency Duty Service on 01344 786543.

Photographs and videos

Whilst lots of parents and carers really enjoy seeing photos and videos of their children's school life we are very mindful of our duty of care towards all our pupils.  We take the issue of safeguarding very seriously and this includes the use of photographs and video images. 

Any photographs or videos taken by parents, carers and relatives at school productions, sports days or other events are for the enjoyment of individual families. They must not  be used in any way that could potentially place a child at risk. This would include publishing images in any form of print or on the internet including social networking sites. This is emphasised before concerts and shows etc and where practical a record of parents and relatives taking photographs or videos is made. 

We understand that in exceptional circumstances a parent or carer may not wish for their child to be photographed or videoed in this way. If this is the case then please contact the headteacher to discuss how this can be achieved. 

Occasionally, the local press will be invited in to take photographs of school events and special achievements. We like to use photographs of our children on our website, in school documents, for parent information meetings, newsletters and on our display screens around the school. If you do not wish photographs of your child to be used for these purposes, then please inform the school office.