Safeguarding Statement

Definition of Safeguarding

North Ealing adopts the definition of safeguarding used by Ofsted derived from The Children Act, 2004:

• protecting children and young people from maltreatment
• preventing impairment of children’s health or development
• ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
• (Ofsted 2015)

The school recognises the statements made in DfE guidance that safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone; we also aim to adopt a child-centred approach to ensure that we never lose sight of the needs of the children (Working Together to Safeguard Children, DfE 2015).

Safeguarding at North Ealing

Safeguarding is of paramount importance at North Ealing and forms one of our core duties as a school.

As such, the school has a number of policies and procedures which outline the arrangements for the ongoing provision for the safety of the children in its care. This statement, therefore, is to be read as an introduction to North Ealing’s comprehensive suite of safeguarding policies:

• Child Protection
• Online Safety
• Safer Recruitment
• Childcare Disqualification Requirements
• Health and Safety
• Behaviour for Learning
• Whistleblowing
• Staff Code of Conduct
• SEN policy
• SRE
• Attendance
• Equality Plan

Anti-radicalisation and extremism

Definition

Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.

Extremism is defined by HM Government as ‘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; and/or calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas’

Preventing radicalisation and extremism at North Ealing

In this school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation and extremism is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability.

Our curriculum promotes respect, tolerance and diversity. Children are encouraged to share their views and to understand that they are entitled to have their own different beliefs which should not be used to influence others. Children are taught about how to stay safe when using the Internet and are encouraged to recognise that people are not always who they say they are online. They are taught to seek adult help if they are upset or concerned about anything they read or see on the Internet.

We recognise that children with low aspirations are more vulnerable to radicalisation and therefore we strive to equip our pupils with confidence, self-belief, respect and tolerance as well as setting high standards and expectations for themselves.

We aim to ensure that:

• Pupils are encouraged to adopt and live out our Learning Values. These complement the key “British Values” of tolerance, respect, understanding, compassion and harmonious living.
• Pupils are helped to understand the importance of democracy and freedom of speech, through the curriculum (e.g. PSHE), assemblies and through the election of School Council members
• Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe, in school and when using the internet.
• Pupils are always aware that they have a voice through, for example, the Student Council, Place2Talk, Pupil Voice.
• Pupils participate in local community events so that they appreciate and value their neighbours and friends who may not share their faith background.
• Pupil’s wellbeing, confidence and resilience is promoted through our planned curriculum and out of hours learning opportunities.
• Pupils are supported in making good choices from a very young age, so they understand the impact and consequences of their actions on others.
• Governors, teachers, teaching assistants and non‐teaching staff demonstrate an understanding of what radicalisation and extremism are and why we need to be vigilant in school.

The school thus exercises its duties under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and ensures that all staff attend ‘Prevent’ training in respect of radicalisation and extremist behaviour.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Definition

FGM “comprises of all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or non-therapeutic reasons.” (World Health Organisation, 1997)

FGM is illegal in this country and is a form of child abuse. It can have serious implications for physical health and emotional well-being.

FGM in Ealing

Ealing is a Metropolitan Police hotspot for FGM. It is the fourth most ethnically diverse borough in the country. At the January 2015 census, 4,475 girls were identified as potentially at risk or have already undergone FGM. There have been over 400 case treated in Ealing hospital over the last five years.

The primary victims are girls up to the age of 15 years old, most commonly between 6 and 8 years old.

North Ealing is aware of its duties and has robust procedures designed to safeguard our girls:

• A robust attendance policy that does not authorise holidays, extended or otherwise
• FGM training for the Designated Child Protection Officer
• Appropriate briefings for staff, particularly at key points in the year
• Clear systems for reporting concerns
• Close liaison between the school office and the Designated Child Protection
• Officer over absences or concerns and discussions with relevant parents/social services as necessary

Staff are aware of the following key indicators:

Child at risk

• Talk of a “special procedure”
• Talk of vaccinations or talk of absence from school
• Long holidays, especially summer holidays
• A mother or older sibling has already undergone FGM

Child may have undergone FGM

• Prolonged absence from school, with a notable change in behaviour upon return
• Finding it difficult to sit still and appears to be experiencing discomfort or pain
• Spending a long time away from class for toilet breaks
• Asking to be excused from PE or swimming

Under the Serious Crime Act, 2015, teachers have a statutory duty to report cases of FGM on girls under the age of 18 to the police.