Safeguarding Culture at Haslam Park Primary School
Keeping Children Safe, Valued and Supported
At Haslam Park Primary School, the safety, welfare and wellbeing of every child are our highest priorities.
We believe that children learn and flourish when they feel safe, listened to, respected and supported by trusted adults.
Safeguarding is not simply a policy, a training requirement or the responsibility of a small number of designated staff. It is an essential part of our school culture and a shared responsibility embraced by every adult working within our school community.
Our commitment is to create an environment where children feel safe, adults remain vigilant, concerns are taken seriously and appropriate action is taken without delay.
We recognise that safeguarding extends beyond the school gates. We work closely with parents, carers, external agencies and community partners to help children and families access the right support at the right time.
Together we explore, learn and grow.
A Child-Centred Safeguarding Culture
Our approach is underpinned by the principle that the welfare of the child must always come first.
We recognise that children may experience challenges or vulnerabilities that are not immediately visible. We therefore promote a culture in which adults are attentive to changes in behaviour, presentation, attendance, emotional wellbeing and relationships.
We expect staff to remain professionally curious, listen carefully to children and recognise that even small concerns may form part of a wider picture.
At Haslam Park, we are committed to:
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Listening to children: Ensuring pupils know who they can speak to and feel confident that their worries will be taken seriously.
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Recognising concerns early: Helping staff identify signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation and other safeguarding risks.
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Acting promptly: Ensuring concerns are reported, recorded and responded to through established safeguarding procedures.
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Maintaining professional curiosity: Recognising that safeguarding concerns may not always be immediately obvious.
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Working in partnership: Sharing information appropriately and working with families and external agencies to protect children.
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Promoting a safe environment: Maintaining clear expectations, professional boundaries and a culture of respect.
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Reviewing our practice: Using training, professional discussion and safeguarding information to identify areas for continued improvement.
We recognise that safeguarding is effective only when policies and procedures are consistently understood, followed and reflected in everyday practice.
Safeguarding in the Context of Our School Community
Our safeguarding approach reflects the needs of the children and families we serve.
We recognise that some children may face additional vulnerabilities arising from special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), communication difficulties, disadvantage, language barriers, family circumstances or experiences outside school.
These factors do not mean that children will necessarily experience harm. They do, however, reinforce the importance of knowing our pupils well, recognising individual needs and avoiding assumptions.
We understand that children with communication difficulties or additional needs may require adapted approaches to help them express concerns, understand personal safety and identify trusted adults.
We also recognise that children may communicate distress through changes in behaviour or emotional presentation rather than through direct disclosure.
Our context does not lower our expectations. It increases our responsibility to ensure that safeguarding is accessible, inclusive and responsive to every child.
Our approach is rooted in relationships, professional curiosity and a determination that no child's needs or concerns should be overlooked.
Our Safeguarding Team
Our designated safeguarding team provides leadership, advice and support to staff, pupils and families.
Ms Rachel Kempster – Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Mrs Roughley – Safeguarding Officer and Deputy DSL
Mrs Griffin – Safeguarding Officer
Ms Hampson – Safeguarding Officer
All four members of the team have received Designated Safeguarding Lead-level training.
The team supports safeguarding practice, coordinates responses to concerns and works with relevant external agencies where appropriate.
While the designated team provides specialist leadership, safeguarding remains the responsibility of every member of staff.
Staff Training, Knowledge and Professional Responsibility
We recognise that a strong safeguarding culture depends upon adults having the knowledge, confidence and professional judgement to recognise concerns and respond appropriately.
All staff receive safeguarding training and regular updates, informed by statutory guidance and local safeguarding priorities.
Whole-School Safeguarding Training
Our annual safeguarding training takes place in September and reflects the requirements of the current edition of Keeping Children Safe in Education.
New staff, volunteers and students receive appropriate safeguarding induction before beginning their duties.
This ensures that adults understand the school's safeguarding procedures, how to report concerns and who to contact for advice and support.
Ongoing Professional Development
Safeguarding training continues throughout the academic year.
Our approach includes:
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Regular safeguarding updates during Friday staff briefings.
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Advance sharing of briefing materials and follow-up information.
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EduCare online safeguarding modules.
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Professional learning resources from The National College.
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Bolton Local Authority safeguarding information and guidance.
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Safeguarding updates and training for governors.
Training is organised across the year to support ongoing professional learning and manageable workloads.
Areas of learning include recognising abuse and neglect, adverse childhood experiences, exploitation, female genital mutilation, equality and diversity, bereavement, emotional wellbeing and reporting safeguarding concerns.
We recognise that safeguarding risks evolve, and staff need opportunities to revisit key messages, discuss emerging concerns and strengthen their understanding.
The purpose of our training is not simply to demonstrate compliance. It is to ensure that staff can recognise risks, exercise professional judgement and take appropriate action to protect children.
Identifying, Reporting and Responding to Concerns
We expect every member of staff to take safeguarding concerns seriously.
Staff are required to follow the school's safeguarding and child protection procedures, including promptly sharing concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or an appropriate member of the safeguarding team.
We recognise that safeguarding concerns may arise from a disclosure, an observation, a change in behaviour or information shared by another person.
Our approach emphasises the importance of:
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Listening calmly and carefully to children.
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Taking concerns seriously without making assumptions.
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Recording information accurately and promptly.
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Sharing concerns through the appropriate safeguarding channels.
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Maintaining confidentiality and sharing information only where necessary and appropriate.
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Seeking further advice or escalating concerns where a child may remain at risk.
We understand that a child may not always be able to recognise or explain that they are experiencing harm. This makes adult vigilance and professional curiosity particularly important.
Working with Families and External Agencies
We believe that positive relationships with parents and carers are an important part of keeping children safe.
We aim to work openly and respectfully with families, recognising that seeking support early can prevent difficulties from escalating.
Where children or families require additional help, our safeguarding team works with appropriate services and professionals to support their needs.
This may include Early Help, children's social care, health professionals and other safeguarding partners.
However, we recognise that there may be circumstances in which information cannot be shared with parents or carers before a safeguarding referral, particularly where doing so could increase the risk of harm to a child.
Our priority will always be to act in the best interests of the child and ensure that appropriate protective action is taken.
Helping Children Understand How to Stay Safe
Safeguarding is also strengthened through the knowledge, confidence and skills children develop.
Through our curriculum, relationships education, PSHE, online safety teaching and everyday school experiences, we support pupils to understand:
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Healthy and respectful relationships.
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Personal boundaries and consent in age-appropriate contexts.
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Recognising unsafe or uncomfortable situations.
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Online risks and responsible digital behaviour.
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Bullying, discrimination and how to seek help.
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The importance of speaking to a trusted adult.
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Their right to feel safe and be treated with dignity and respect.
We adapt teaching and communication where necessary to ensure that children with SEND and other additional needs can understand and access important safeguarding messages.
We want every child to know that they have the right to feel safe, that their voice matters and that there are adults who will listen and help.
Safeguarding Leadership and Continuous Improvement
We recognise that safeguarding requires ongoing attention, reflection and improvement.
Safeguarding leaders support staff practice, review concerns and responses, provide professional guidance and consider emerging risks affecting children and families.
Governors have an important role in providing oversight and ensuring that safeguarding responsibilities are understood and fulfilled.
Our commitment is to maintain a culture where safeguarding is regularly discussed, concerns can be raised appropriately and professional practice continues to develop.
A strong safeguarding culture is not demonstrated by policies alone. It is reflected in the actions, decisions and vigilance of adults, and in children's confidence that they will be listened to and protected.
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
If you are worried about the safety or welfare of a child, please do not delay in seeking help.
Contact Haslam Park Primary School
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Ms Rachel Kempster
You may also speak to any member of our safeguarding team.
School telephone: 01204 333393
Please mark written safeguarding correspondence CONFIDENTIAL and direct it to the safeguarding team.
If You Are Worried About a Child Outside School Hours
You can contact Bolton Children's Services directly.
Bolton Integrated Front Door: 01204 331500 (Option 2)
Out-of-Hours Emergency Duty Team: 01204 337777
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
You do not need to wait until school reopens to report a serious safeguarding concern.
Further guidance is available from Bolton Council:
https://www.bolton.gov.uk/safeguarding-protecting-children/reporting-child-abuse
Our Statutory Duty to Safeguard Children
Haslam Park Primary School has a statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Where there is reason to believe that a child is experiencing harm or may be at risk, we will take appropriate action in accordance with statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures.
This may include consultation with, or referral to, Bolton Children's Services and other relevant agencies.
We are committed to working constructively with families wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
The safety and welfare of the child will always remain our paramount concern.
Key Safeguarding Documents and Guidance
The following documents support our safeguarding responsibilities and provide further information for parents, carers and professionals.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Keeping Children Safe in Education – Current Statutory Guidance
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2
Bolton Council – Reporting Concerns About a Child
https://www.bolton.gov.uk/safeguarding-protecting-children/reporting-child-abuse
Our Safeguarding Commitment
At Haslam Park, we want every child to feel safe, valued, listened to and supported.
We recognise that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and that effective safeguarding depends upon vigilance, strong relationships, timely action and a shared commitment to children's welfare.
We will continue to place children's safety at the heart of our decisions, our practice and our school culture.
Together we explore, learn and grow.