Safeguarding
Safeguarding Leads
If you have any concerns regarding safeguarding children at Exning School then please contact:
Mrs Natasha Warren (Designated Safeguarding Lead, Online Safety & Prevent Lead)
natasha.warren@exning.suffolk.sch.uk
or
Mr James Clark (Alternate Safeguarding Lead)
or
Mrs Johanna Cross (Alternate Safeguarding Lead)
johanna.cross@exning.suffolk.sch.uk
or
Mrs Rachel Donald (Alternate Safeguarding Lead)
rachel.donald@exning.suffolk.sch.uk
The nominated governor for safeguarding is:
David Bicker
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility.
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)
At Exning, we recognise the moral and statutory responsibility placed on all staff to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children.
We aim to provide a safe and welcoming environment, underpinned by a culture of openness where both children and adults feel secure to raise concerns, believe they are being listened to, and that appropriate action will be taken to keep them safe.
We also ensure that safeguarding is embedded across our curriculum. It is important that children know how to be safe and what to do if they are worried about their safety.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Our policy applies to all staff, parents, governors, volunteers, visitors and pupils. A copy of our safeguarding policy is available to download from our policy download page here. A hard copy may be obtained on request from the school office.
The aims of our policy are to:
- Provide staff with a framework to promote and safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people and ensure that they understand and meet their statutory responsibilities;
- Ensure consistent good practice across the school.
Early Help
What is early help?
Early Help means taking action to support a child, young person or their family early in the life of a problem, as soon as it emerges. Being a parent is one of the most important jobs there is - it is also one of the hardest. At Exning, we want to support parents when things are tough.
Early Help Offer
We pride ourselves in knowing our children well: we are alert to the welfare of our children, and are vigilant regarding any situation in which we can provide support. We have a number of systems in place to identify unmet needs, and we seek at all times to work in collaboration with families, with openness, integrity and understanding. The needs of the child is always at the centre of all we do.
If you are having difficulties, or struggling with anything at home, please come and talk to us. We have what we call an 'offer of early help'. There are many ways in which we can help.
Early Help is everyone’s responsibility. As such, you can speak with any member of the school team who would be happy to work with you, or pass your concerns on to one of the Safeguarding Leads. Usually, class teachers or staff working in the Office are the first contact for the child or the family.
Listed below is our school offer;
- Taking the time to listen to children’s concerns. Each class has a named class teaching assistant, who is available to chat to pupils when they feel they have a problem they would like to share. We also have several staff trained in different child-centred interventions, including 'Drawing and Talking'.
- Nurture club
- Family Support Practitioner - we have a qualified FSP in-school, that can offer support to families
- Taking the time to listen to families. Sometimes, you might need to share information or have a difficult situation you need to make us aware of. We will listen. We have families too!
- We have an effective PSHE curriculum which supports children and develops key skills, not only for school but for life.
- We run parenting courses. These aren’t sessions to tell you how to do it, but an opportunity to share what works and sometimes what doesn’t!
- There are a number of support agencies out there who we can access, refer to, or signpost you to e.g. The Parent Hub, Suffolk The Emotional Wellbeing Hub, School Nursing Team, Newmarket Open Door Foodbank, .
There are also agencies which you can contact independently should you wish to do so, who might be able to help and provide the support for your family.
Advice and Support from other Agencies
Online Safety
Please visit our Online Safety page for information and advice on reducing the risks to your child online.
Common Assessment Framework (CAF)
The Common Assessment Framework is a way of working with families that puts your needs at the heart of decisions made about you and your children.
Taking part in the process will help you work with people such as teachers, health staff or other lead professionals to gather, understand and share information about what is happening in your family's life.
The aim is that once all the conversations have taken place, the needs of your family will be at the heart of any decisions made about accessing further information or support in order to get to the right solutions for your child.
The CAF is voluntary – you and your child, or a young person can choose to be involved, and can withdraw at any time. You can also choose which service providers you want your information to be shared with. The CAF referral process does not guarantee that a service will be provided, but it does provide evidence of a need for further information and support. The CAF can also help provide evidence where there may be gaps in the provision of services.
Click here for more information: CAF Information for families
Other Agencies
School Nursing Teams - Within Suffolk, the School Nursing teams are part of the Health and Children's Centre Service. They provide a range of services to help you and your family stay safe, happy and healthy.
Newmarket Open Door Foodbank - A local Foodbank which redistributes food and other household products to those in need and other charities, as well as running a Community Pop-Up Shop in conjunction with other charities and church organisations.Emotional Wellbeing Gateway - Whether you are experiencing mental health issues, are worried about someone you care for, or want to know how to stay mentally well, the Gateway website is the place to go for families and professionals to access mental health support services in Suffolk.
Healthy Suffolk - Suffolk Public Health Website
The Parent Hub - A single place for Suffolk parents or carers to find parenting advice and support to help their child's development.
West Suffolk Cost of Living Support - The rising cost of living pressures can affect any one at any time. If you, or someone you know in West Suffolk Council are struggling financially at this time, there is support and advice out there that can help.
Suffolk County Council Cost of Living Support - Find out what help is available to support you through the cost of living crisis.