Safeguarding

We understand that not every parent or carer may have had a positive school experience themselves. Childhood experiences can stay with us and affect how we engage with others today. If you have a concern but aren’t sure how to speak to the school about it, or if you would prefer to talk to someone in confidence, we are here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

We can signpost you to organisations that can support families through difficult times such as bereavement, separation, unemployment and illness.

No one has ever claimed to be the perfect parent. It’s a tough job, and it isn’t easy all of the time. If your child is showing challenging behaviour, please don’t suffer in silence—support is available, and you don’t have to face it alone.

Transitioning to secondary school can be a challenging time for the whole family, including your child. If you have any concerns about moving on from Corngreaves, or if you need support with completing school applications, please reach out to us. We are here and happy to help.

We are able to provide you with information on benefits, helpful local charities, accessible grants and organisations that can help families on a low income.

If you feel you and your family would benefit from support, please feel free to pop into school office and leave your contact details. 

Our Sandwell School Health Team work with children, young people and families to enable children to be healthy and reach their full potential.  School Nurses are qualified nurses who have undertaken specialised training in the health of children and young people.

In addition to core school health nursing, we deliver immunisations, and the National Child Measurement Programme.

Operation Encompass is a police and education partnership that supports primary school children exposed to domestic abuse by sharing information between police and schools. When police attend a domestic abuse incident, they inform the designated safeguarding lead at the child's school the next morning so the school can provide immediate support. This initiative allows the school staff to understand the child's potential needs and behaviours and provide the necessary nurture and support. 

Sandwell Children's services - 0121 569 3100
Dudley Children's services - 0300 555 0050
Police Emergency - 999
Police Non-Emergency - 101

Each and every member of United Learning are committed to creating and maintaining a culture of openness and honesty and strive at all times to work in partnership with parents and carers. We believe that this is in the best interests of children and their families. Only by developing co-operative working relationships within which parents and carers feel respected will we able to work holistically with children.

We believe it is important that parents and carers are aware of our statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and that we will where necessary share concerns about children with Children’s Social Care.

Wherever possible we will aim to discuss concerns about children with their parents or carers and inform them if we intend to make a referral to the Children’s Services Contact Team.

There may be rare instances however, when we judge that it is not appropriate to speak to a parent or carer before contacting the Children’s Services Contact Team. This would happen when the DSL or a Deputy DSL in her absence, judges that a child’s well-being will be imperilled if the parent or carer is aware that a referral is to be made.

We recognise that a child who is abused or neglected may find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self-worth. We recognise that children may feel helpless and humiliated and may blame themselves for what has or is happening to them. Our school may provide a vital source of stability in the lives of children who have been abused or are at risk of harm.  We recognise that the behaviour of a child in these circumstances may range from that which is perceived to be ‘normal’ to aggressive or withdrawn.
 
We aim to support the children in our school by:

• Encouraging a sense of self-worth and assertiveness whilst not condoning bullying and aggression.
• Promoting a caring and safe environment within the school and
• Providing opportunities through the our PSHE curriculum for children to learn strategies to protect themselves, ask for help and support and gain confidence in standing up for their rights and valuing and respecting others.
• Working in partnership with other services involved in safeguarding children and notifying Children’s Social Care as soon as there are significant concerns about a child

At any time you might be concerned about the information which suggest a child is being neglected, subjected radicalisation or experiencing physical, emotional or sexual harm.

You may notice physical signs, notice changes in the child’s behaviour or presentation, pick up signs of emotional distress or have a child disclose a harmful experience to you.

Harm to a child can be caused by:

• A parent/carer
• A family member / friend
• Another child
• A stranger
• A member of staff / volunteer

Confidentiality - Do not promise to keep what is said a secret.

Listen – Listen carefully to what is being said to you. DO NOT INTERRUPT.

Reassure – Reassure the student that it is not their fault, stress that it was the right thing to tell.

Be calm, attentive and non-judgemental

Ask non leading questions, only if necessary e.g. (who, what when, why and how) to clarify.

Then follow the steps outlined below.

Share your concerns verbally with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Pass the concerns on to the Designated Safeguarding lead without delay.

Make a written record (using the child's own words).

If your concern is about a staff member or volunteer, you must report this to Head of School, Joanne Robinson.

If however, your concern is about the Head of School, you should report this to the Executive Headteacher, Miss Michelle Green or the Chair of Governors. The senior person will then contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) at Sandwell_LADO@sandwellchildrenstrust.org

If you are unclear about any aspect of safeguarding at Corngreaves, then please seek advice from your Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection.

Corngreaves Academy operate as part of "Operation Encompass". It is a police and education intervention safeguarding partnership, enabling support for children and young people who are experiencing Domestic Abuse.

Please click on the link to find out more information

Home : Operation Encompass 

NSPCC

Support for parents | NSPCC

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Working Together to Safeguard Children

Welcome to the Family Information Service | BCP FID (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)

Vodafone - Digital parenting

Bullying - information and advice for parents