Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs A Birrell, Headteacher
Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Mrs J Moodie, Deputy Headteacher
Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Mrs A Dybell, EY Lead
PSA & Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Miss S Harrison
SENDCO: Miss C Black
MAT Director with Safeguarding responsibility: Yvonne Coates
Chair of Governors: Mrs J Waugh
Link Safeguarding Governor: Mrs J Waugh
If you would like to speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team please contact the school office on 01642 560056 or email at office@stjosephsbillingham.bhcet.org.uk
If you think a child is at immediate risk of harm, you must call the Police urgently on 999.
You can ring the Hartlepool Safeguarding Hub on 01429 284284, or the Stockton Safeguarding Hub on 01642 130080, to seek advice or speak to a Social Worker to report a concern.
Every human being has a value and dignity which we acknowledge as coming directly from God’s creation of male and female in his own image and likeness. This implies a duty to value all people and therefore to support them and protect them from harm.
Safeguarding is our priority at St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School. Safeguarding children – the action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm – is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play. All school staff have Level 1 training annually, along with termly refresher training. In addition, we have a team of staff who are trained to both Level 2 and Level 3 in Safeguarding.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined by Working Together to Safeguard Children, July 2018 as:
- Protecting children from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s health and or development
- Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
For the purposes of this guidance children includes everyone under the age of 18.
The Trust fully recognises the responsibilities and the duty placed upon it to have arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students at the School. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, has adopted this safeguarding policy but their practice will built around the procedures and protocols within Stockton on Tees Local Authority.
Safeguarding Policy
The School’s Implementation of the ‘Prevent Duty’ July 2015
WHAT IS THE PREVENT DUTY?
‘Prevent’ relates to the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 which came into force on 1 July 2015. Since July 1 2015 there has been a duty on schools to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’.
This is called the Prevent duty. Schools are expected to encourage pupils to respect other people with particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010 (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation).
Schools can build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views. As with all forms of safeguarding, adults should use their professional judgement in identifying an individual who may be at risk of radicalisation.
WHAT IS RADICALISATION?
“Radicalisation” refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism. During that process it is possible to intervene to prevent vulnerable people being drawn into terrorist-related activity.
WHAT IS EXTREMISM?
‘Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs’. Being drawn into terrorism includes not only violent extremism but also non-violent extremism.
WHAT ARE BRITISH VALUES?
‘Democracy, the rule of law, equality of opportunity, freedom of speech and the rights for all men and women to live free from persecution of any kind’.
WHAT ARE OUR PROCEDURES?
The school has clear procedures in place to safeguard children that includes protecting children at risk of radicalisation. These procedures are set out in existing safeguarding policies. All staff are aware of the school’s safeguarding policy and procedures and follow these for any aspect of safeguarding, including extremist views/extremism. As with any form of safeguarding if a member of staff, parent or community member has any concerns about a child in the first instance they should inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mrs Birrell), in order that any individuals who are at risk receives support for any personal vulnerabilities.
Online Safety
We ensure that all pupils develop the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe online, in line with the most up‑to‑date Department for Education guidance. Online safety is woven throughout our curriculum—particularly in Computing, PSHE, and Relationships Education—and is underpinned by strong safeguarding procedures. Pupils learn to identify potential risks, act responsibly, and know how to seek support when needed. Our approach reflects the DfE’s expectation that online safety is a consistent part of school life, supported by effective filtering and monitoring systems that help protect children from harmful content and online interactions.
Our school is fully committed to working in partnership with families to help keep children safe online. To support you with this, we have provided the online safety newsletters attached below. These resources offer clear guidance, practical tips, and up‑to‑date information to help you understand the digital world your child is navigating. We hope you find them useful in promoting safe, responsible, and confident online behaviour at home.
Health
Health Conditions
If your child has a medical or health condition—such as asthma, allergies, epilepsy, diabetes, or any other ongoing need—it is essential that you inform the school as soon as possible. This ensures we can provide appropriate support and respond effectively in an emergency.
Mrs Swainston & Mrs McCabe, will work with you and, where necessary, your child’s healthcare professionals to create a Health Care Plan. This plan will outline important information, including symptoms to watch for, medication requirements, and the actions to take should an emergency arise.
Once completed, the Health Care Plan will be shared with relevant staff so they are fully aware and prepared to support your child throughout the school day.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and supportive environment for all our pupils.
First Aiders
First aiders play a vital role in keeping our school community safe and supported. They are trained to respond quickly in emergencies, providing essential care for injuries or illnesses. All our staff are trained as Emergency First Aiders and staff working in the EYFS are Paediatric First Aiders. Their presence helps create a safe, caring, and responsive environment for everyone in our school.