St John Southworth RC Primary School

St John Southworth RC Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy which can be viewed in the Policies section of our website.

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 his/her 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 counter radicalism and extremism. 

Our Designated Safeguarding lead is Miss Stuttard Headteacher. Our Backup Designated Safeguaring leads are:  Mrs Whittaker (Assistant Headteacher), Mrs Smith (Pupil and Family Support Lead). The governor responsible for Child Protection is Mrs Elizabeth Lloyd (Chair of Governors). 

Early Help Offer at St John Southworth RC Primary

 

Working with you and your family

At our school, we recognise the challenges that families face in bringing up children. Family life can be complicated and sometimes you may need some support. If you have a problem at home, please get in touch – we can support you in lots of ways. 

 

What is early help?

Early help means providing support to our children and families as soon as a problem emerges, at any point in a child’s life.

There are many ways in which we can help as outlined in our offer of early help below. Early Help services should support and strengthen families so that they can thrive.

We follow the Working Well with Children and Families Guidance:

https://www.lancashiresafeguarding.org.uk/media/19299/wwwcf-part-1-and-2-final.pdf

Lancashire CSAP (Children’s Safeguarding Assurance Partnership) website:

https://www.safeguardingpartnership.org.uk/

The CSAP website is full of useful safeguarding and CP information.

Your Family’s Early Help Assessment and Family RADAR has replaced the CAF document.

Early Help Assessment – Section E – family radar

The Early Help Assessment and Plan features a family radar. The family radar is linked to the cycle of change and will help you to identify which areas of support the family need the most. By completing a family radar, we are trying to get the families to understand at what point of the cycle of change they are at.

 

Support for families may include: 

·         Advice and support to promote good attendance

·         Liaising with external services e.g. Housing and Children Social Care.

·         Support during appointments and in meetings.

·         Help to complete paperwork and forms, e.g. housing, school letters, grant applications and benefits (where possible)

·         Referrals to outside agencies e.g. Paediatric Learning Disability Team and Speech and Language Therapists etc.

·         Emotional support for parents/carers

·         SEND parent drop ins with Headteacher/SENDCo

·         School nurse support

·         Early Help Assessment which may involve support from external agencies

·         Children and Family Wellbeing pastoral visits 

·         Providing information and signposting to other services in our local area. 

 

Support for children whilst in school may include:

·         Lunchtime and after school clubs

·         Bespoke learning and social suppport interventions

·         Pre loved uniform

·         Additional transition support into new classes and onto high schools

·         School nurse support

·         Pastoral Support with Mrs Donna Smith

 

Why would I request early help?

There are lots of reasons why people look for early help. It could be that you’re worried about your child’s health, development or behaviour, or how they’re doing at school. It may be that you’re worried about money or housing and how that is impacting on your family. Maybe your child or family is affected by domestic abuse, drugs, alcohol, or crime. Perhaps your child is a carer for their SEND sibling, or maybe you’ve had a bereavement in the family that’s made life a challenge.

Whatever the concern, it’s okay to ask for help.

Where can I get early help?

If you feel you and your family might need support to solve some problems, please do not hesitate to contact Miss Stuttard or Mrs Smith via the school office or you can email the school office.

 

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A referral can be made by anyone, including members of the public if they have concerns regarding the safety of a child. Within the school, a referral will be made by one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads. If you have any concerns regarding the wellbeing of a child, please call Lancashire Children's Social Care - you can do this anonymously if you wish. Please see details below:  

Concerned about a Child?

Call  0300 123 6720 or out of hours 0300 123 6722. 

If you think a child is in immediate danger – don't delay call the police on 999.