Safeguarding at Brill

Every Child Known, Valued and Safe

At Brill Church of England School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. The safety, wellbeing and welfare of every child is our highest priority.

Guided by our vision, With the wind in our sails, we shall live ‘life in all its fullness‘ (John 10:10), we are committed to creating a culture where children feel safe, respected, supported and listened to. We believe that every child deserves to feel known, valued and able to flourish.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Every member of staff, governor, volunteer and visitor has a role to play in keeping children safe.

Our Designated Safeguarding Team

If you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please contact a member of our safeguarding team.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Rebecca Smith
Headteacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs)

Ailis Butler
Assistant Headteacher – Teaching and Learning Lead

Nicola Carman
Assistant Headteacher – Inclusion Lead and SENDCo

Jamie Backhouse
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Our safeguarding team receives regular training to ensure they remain up to date with current safeguarding legislation, guidance and best practice.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to:

• Providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment where children can learn and thrive.
• Listening carefully to children and taking their concerns seriously.
• Promoting children’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
• Supporting children and families at the earliest opportunity.
• Working closely with parents, carers and external agencies.
• Ensuring all staff receive regular safeguarding training.
• Maintaining robust safeguarding procedures in line with statutory guidance.
• Building a culture where children know who they can talk to if they are worried or concerned.

Working With Families

We believe that children achieve their best outcomes when school and families work together in partnership.

In most circumstances, we will discuss any safeguarding concerns with parents and carers before making referrals to other agencies. However, there may be occasions when doing so could place a child at increased risk. In these situations, we have a duty to follow safeguarding procedures and seek advice from external agencies without first informing parents.

Our responsibility is always to act in the best interests of the child.

Operation Encompass

Brill Church of England School is proud to be part of Operation Encompass.

Operation Encompass is a national initiative that supports children who may have been exposed to domestic abuse. Through this partnership, the police notify the school before the start of the school day when a child has been affected by a domestic incident.

This information allows us to provide immediate and appropriate support, ensuring that children receive understanding, care and help when they need it most.

All information shared through Operation Encompass is handled confidentially and in accordance with safeguarding procedures.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding children through safe recruitment practices.

All staff, governors and regular volunteers are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including:

• Identity verification
• References
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
• Qualification checks where appropriate
• Right to work checks
• Other statutory safeguarding checks required by current legislation

We maintain a Single Central Record as required by statutory guidance.

Working With Other Agencies

Safeguarding is most effective when agencies work together.

Where necessary, we work closely with:

• Children’s Social Care
• Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Safeguarding Partners
• Health professionals
• Educational psychologists
• Early Help services
• The Police
• Other specialist support services

There may occasionally be situations where Social Care or the Police need to speak with a child as part of a safeguarding investigation. In these circumstances, schools are required to cooperate with partner agencies in accordance with safeguarding legislation and procedures.

Keeping Children Safe

Safeguarding is much broader than child protection alone.

Our safeguarding work includes:

• Child protection
• Online safety
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Attendance and inclusion
• Anti-bullying
• Behaviour and positive relationships
• Preventing extremism and radicalisation
• Health and safety
• Supporting vulnerable children and families

We regularly teach children how to recognise risks, seek help and stay safe both online and offline.

Further Information

Our safeguarding procedures are guided by:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
• The Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
• Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Partnership
• Oxfordshire Safeguarding Partnership

For further information, please read our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy or contact a member of the safeguarding team.

If you are worried about a child, please speak to us.

Safeguarding children is a shared responsibility, and no concern is ever too small to raise. Together, we can ensure every child at Brill is safe, supported and able to flourish.

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Mr Backhouse

Year 1 Teacher / Deputy DSL

Mrs Smith

Headteacher / Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Miss Carman

Assistant Head / SENDCo / Inclusion Lead / Deputy DSL

Miss Butler

Assistant Headteacher / Teaching and Learning Lead / Deputy DSL

Rebecca Field

SEND and Safeguarding Governor

r.field@brillschool.org.uk

Useful resources on the NSPCC website for parents

Useful links to keep your child safe online

Online Safety

The Internetmatters primary resource site has a parent pack featuring bespoke resources for parents, you’ll find a range of primary school (KS1 and KS2) resources to help children develop the right digital skills to stay safe online in the classroom and at home with parents.

NSPCC 'PANTS' song

Please find below the PANTS programme for younger children.

Talking ‘PANTs’ helps children understand that their bodies belong to them, and they should tell someone they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.

Parent guides

The NSPCC have launched a PANTS song and animation. With a singing dinosaur video and fun activity pack to help children learn the key messages without using any scary words.