Safeguarding

The safety and wellbeing of every child at Lunsford Primary School is our highest priority.

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people in our care. We expect all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment and to play an active role in creating a safe and supportive environment for our pupils.

We recognise that safeguarding and child protection are fundamental to ensuring children feel safe, secure and able to achieve their full potential.

Our Safeguarding Team

If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please contact one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs). Concerns can be raised in person, by telephone or via the school office. Please let us know that your enquiry relates to a safeguarding matter so that it can be prioritised appropriately.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Mrs Elizabeth Lomax
Deputy Headteacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

Mr Gary Anscombe
Headteacher

Ms Sarah Beckett
SENCO

Mrs Amy Taylor
Family Liaison Officer (FLO)

Safeguarding Governor

Mrs Steff Smith

The Safeguarding Governor can be contacted via the School Office.

Safeguarding Policies and Documents

Our commitment to safeguarding is supported by a range of policies and procedures, including:

Child Protection Policy
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Mobile and Smart Technology Policy
Recruitment Policy
Online Safety Information
Prevent Strategy Guidance
Counter-Extremism Guidance

Please click on the relevant documents below to access further information.

Out-of-Hours Safeguarding Concerns

If you have a safeguarding concern outside of school hours or during school holidays, please contact:

Kent Integrated Front Door
Telephone: 03000 411111

NSPCC Helpline
Telephone: 0808 800 5000

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, please contact the Police by dialling 999.

The Prevent Duty

As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, Lunsford Primary School fully supports the Government's Prevent Strategy and works to build children's resilience to radicalisation and extremism.

What is the Prevent Strategy?

The Prevent Strategy is a national initiative designed to stop people from becoming involved in terrorism or supporting extremist views.The strategy:

Responds to the ideological challenges posed by terrorism and extremism.
Provides support and guidance to individuals who may be vulnerable to radicalisation.
Works in partnership with a range of sectors, including education, health, criminal justice, faith groups and charities.
Promotes safeguarding practices that help keep children and young people safe.

Further information can be found in the official Government guidance and our school policies.

Child Exploitation and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Further information and guidance regarding Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) can be accessed via the links below.

Operation Encompass

Lunsford Primary School is proud to be part of Operation Encompass.Operation Encompass is a partnership between schools and the police that enables information to be shared quickly and confidentially when a child has been exposed to domestic abuse.When police attend a domestic abuse incident involving a child or young person, information is shared with the school's trained Key Adult (Designated Safeguarding Lead) before the start of the next school day. This allows appropriate support to be provided at the earliest opportunity.We recognise that experiencing domestic abuse can have a significant impact on a child's emotional wellbeing, mental health and ability to learn. By participating in Operation Encompass, we can ensure that children receive timely support when they need it most.Operation Encompass recognises children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right and seeks to minimise the impact of these experiences through early intervention and support.Further information is available on the Operation Encompass website.