The Designated Safeguarding Lead at Norbreck Primary Academy is Mr. I. Cooper (Deputy Headteacher), additional Safeguarding Leads are:

Mrs. K. McCarter (Headteacher)

Mrs. V.  Cadwallader (Assistant Headteacher) 

Mrs. M. Hamer (Family Support Worker) 

Mrs. T. Edgar (Learning Mentor)

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

Safeguarding means:

• protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
• preventing harm to children's health or development
• ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
• taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.

Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.

What is Child Protection?

Child Protection is part of Safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

At Norbreck Primary Academy we endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. Through pastoral care we are concerned with promoting the moral, social, physical and emotional well-being of all pupils, in order for them to reach their full potential.

All children will have the same rights and same value regardless of age, race, culture, gender, disability, or social/ economic background.

We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.

In order to ensure we are doing this to the best of our ability we follow the DFE safeguarding documents:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
• The Prevent Duty 2015

You can find out more in our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

The children all have access to the child friendly version of the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

We ensure that procedures followed are in line with legislation and are consistent with the Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Lancashire Children’s Safeguarding Assurance Partnership.

Staff Understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection

All staff must read and sign Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 and all staff receive a minimum or one safeguarding and child protection training session annually.

Additionally there is a rolling programme of professional development for child facing staff to address safeguarding themes throughout the academic year.

Online Safety

Norbreck Primary Academy recognises the benefits and opportunities which new technologies offer to teaching and learning. We encourage the use of technology in order to enhance skills and promote achievement. However, the accessible and global nature of the internet and variety of technologies available mean that we are also aware of potential risks and challenges associated with such use. To find out more please read our Online Safety Policy.

Safeguarding Team

The safeguarding team is in charge of keeping children safe at home and at school. They are called Designated Safeguarding Leads.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead at Norbreck Primary Academy is Mr. I. Cooper (Deputy Headteacher), additional Safeguarding Leads are:

Mrs. K. McCarter (Headteacher)

Mrs. V.  Cadwallader (Assistant Headteacher)

Mrs. M. Hamer (Family Support Worker)

Mrs. T. Edgar (Learning Mentor)

If you have any safeguarding concerns, please report these to any of the staff listed above.

Contact Numbers

For urgent Child Protection / Safeguarding advice:

• If you have any concerns regarding the welfare of a child, please contact the Blackpool Duty and Assessment Team Tel: 01253 477299 https://www.blackpoolsafeguarding.org.uk/worried-about-a-child

• Blackpool Local Authority Officer (LADO): 01253 477541 / lado@blackpool.gov.uk

Pan Lancashire Operation Encompass

Norbreck Primary Academy takes part in Operation Encompass.

The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in or witness to a domestic abuse, vulnerable child or missing incident.

Operation Encompass has been created to address such situations that create a safeguarding risk to young people. It is the implementation of key partnership working between the police and schools/ colleges. The aim of sharing information with local schools/ colleges is to allow ‘Key Adults’ the opportunity of engaging with the child and to provide access to support that allows them to remain in a safe but secure familiar environment.

Following the report of a domestic abuse, vulnerable child or missing incident, by 9.00am on the next school day the school’s Key Adult will be informed of the child or young person’s involvement. This knowledge, given to educational establishments through Operation Encompass, allows the provision of immediate early intervention through silent or overt support dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child/ young person.

The purpose and procedures in Operation Encompass have been shared with all parents and governors, is detailed as part of the school’s Safeguarding Policy.