Safeguarding and
Online Safety
Our safeguarding team:
Ellen McCabe – Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
The role of the lead DSL is to safeguard and protect all children, staff and visitors.
In the absence of the DSL, the deputy will take on the full role of DSL.
Matt Stanley – Deputy DSL
Mr Stanley oversees filtering and monitoring systems for our IT.
Pete Penberthy – Safeguarding Governor
Mr Penberthy regularly monitors safeguarding systems and procedures across the school.
If you have any Safeguarding concerns please either speak to a DSL (above) or email us via the email below:
If you would like to raise a concern with the Safeguarding Governor, Pete Penberthy and/or the Chair of Governors, please email our Clerk who will pass your email on:
clerk@brook-ashford.kent.sch.uk
All staff are trained in and given appropriate documentation to read regarding safeguarding. The school’s Child Protection Policy is reviewed and updates annually and staff are trained in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ each year. Prevent training, online safety training and DSL training is completed regularly.
All new staff are given an induction which includes the safeguarding protocols and procedures of the school. Volunteers receive safeguarding information each year.
Internet Safety advice for parents and carers link: Internet safety Advice – Brook Community Primary School
Staff wear ID lanyards. Visitors and volunteers wear visitor stickers and/or lanyards to show they have followed the security checks at reception. Volunteers or visitors who have a Brook DBS check where a lanyard which identifies this.
Special assemblies, circle times and throughout our curriculum, staff highlight important safety messages, emphasising the need for children to ‘speak out’ if they feel vulnerable in any way.
Gates and doors are locked when the children come into school for registration. Access to the school grounds is via the office at all times other than 8.35-8.45am and 3.15-3.25pm.
Health & Safety checks are regularly made to ensure that systems are working effectively.
We carry out DBS checks in line with official guidance and keep a record of DBS details on file.
Safeguarding Policies and Links
Click here to be directed to links for useful guides for online apps and games.
The NSPCC has a wide range of information for families on various topics: Support for parents | NSPCC
The Government site for safeguarding: Safeguarding and social care for children – GOV.UK
For information and support on mental health: YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People
Further sources of support and information
Child protection – national
NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000
Childline: 0800 1111
Child Law Advice Line: 08088 020 008
Bullying – national
NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000
Childline: 0800 1111
Kidscape: 08451 205 204 www.kidscape.org.uk
Mental health – national
Young Minds: 0808 802 5544
www.youngminds.org.uk
Mental Health Foundation: 020 7803 1100
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mind: 0845 766 0163 www.mind.org.uk
Parents’ support – national
ParentlinePlus: 0808 800 2222
www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Sexual harm and sexually harmful behaviour – national
Stop It Now! 0808 1000 900
www.stopitnow.org.uk
The AIM Project (for children with sexual behaviour problems): www.aimproject.org.uk
Internet safety – national
ChildNet International: www.childnet.com
Child Exploitation and Online Protection: www.ceop.gov.uk
0870 000 3344
Internet Watch Foundation: www.iwf.org.uk
Think U Know: www.thinkuknow.co.uk
0870 000 3344
Other – local
Domestic Violence and Abuse Service: https://www.risingsunkent.com/ – 01227 452852 / mensadviceline.org.uk
Online Safety
Online Safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Brook Community Primary School. We have extensive security measures in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material.
Any incidents are recorded and managed. Online Safety is taught to all pupils explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online.
We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with parents to ensure the message is consistent. It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online.
Brook’s SMART Safety Tool
S – Stay Safe Don’t give out your personal information to people / places you don’t know.
M – Don’t Meet Up Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. Always check with an adult you trust.
A – Accepting Files Accepting emails, files, pictures or texts from people you don’t know can cause problems
R – Reliable Check information before you believe it. Is the person or website telling the truth?
T – Tell Someone Tell an adult if someone or something makes you feel worried or uncomfortable
