Safeguarding
Balfour Infant School is committed to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children and young people. It expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are fully committed to ensuring all safeguarding procedures are in place, are effective and are consistent to support families, children and staff.
Balfour Infant School has trained Designated Safeguarding Leads and is compliant with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021
If you have any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child attending Balfour Infant school please contact the Designated Safeguarding Leads via 01634 338280 to speak confidentially or email the school office via office@balfourinf.medway.sch.uk for a DSL to contact you
Designated Safeguarding Lead & Headteacher
Ms D Atkinson
Deputy Safeguarding Lead & Deputy Headteacher
Miss C Watson
Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Lead for Inclusion
Mrs M Forbes
If you think a child is at immediate risk of harm call 999
Members of the public and professions can use the Medway Council referral form or contact number to report any safeguarding concerns about a child or young person
If you have a concern about a child you can also contact:
NSPCC on 0800 800 5000 or visit the website
Childline 0800 1111
Medway Police on 01622 690 690
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 01634 331307 or admin 01634 331065
Cause for Concern
Staff members are asked to report all causes for concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead via a written proforma on a secure online system called CPOMs. Any concerns reported will be shared with parents as soon as possible. Concerns may range from a child being visibly upset, to persistent lateness to children sharing their worries.
Speak Out Stay Safe
Balfour infant School takes part in the NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe Campaign and all children at Balfour Infant School are encouraged to share any worries they might have
NSPCC Resources
Attendance
All lateness and absences are recorded and monitored. Reason will be sought for all absence and all lateness. The Designated Safeguarding Lead reviews all attendance and lateness regularly to ensure children's welfare and safety outside of school. Referral may be made to the Safeguarding Team at Medway if concerns are found. Parents will be informed of concerns around attendance at the earliest of opportunities and offered support. If attendance concerns continue, then the school will refer to the Attendance Service.
If a child leaves Balfour Infant School and the school is not informed of a receiving school, we will follow the government procedures and report the child as "missing in education".
Balfour Infant School's Attendance Policy can be found here
Online Safety
Balfour Infant School supports children's understanding of the safe use of the internet via regular Online Safety lessons in school. We work with parents to support them to support safe use of the internet at home by providing parent workshops and advice via our regular newsletters.
Our Online Safety Policy can be found here
Prevent
The government's strategy Prevent aims to reduce the likelihood of young people becoming radicalised and then engaging in violent forms of extremism.
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The Prevent duty. Some organisations in England, Scotland and Wales have a duty, as a specified authority under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, to identify vulnerable children and young people and prevent them from being drawn into terrorism. This is known as the Prevent duty.
learning.nspcc.org.uk
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Balfour Infant School, Pattens Lane, Rochester, Kent ME1 2QT
For all general enquiries please contact our Headteacher Ms D Atkinson
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Ms D Atkinson
For all enquiries relating to SEND please contact our LINC Mrs M Forbes
Our Data Protection Officer is Ms D Atkinson
Tel: 01634 338280
office@balfourinf.medway.sch.uk