Supporting Children – Safeguarding Offer of Early Help

We recognise that a child who is abused or witnesses violence may feel helpless and humiliated, may blame themselves, and find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self-worth.

We recognise that the school may provide the only stability in the lives of children who have been abused or who are at risk of harm.

We accept that research shows that the behaviour of a child in these circumstances may range from that which is perceived to be normal to aggressive or withdrawn.

Our school will support all children by:

• Undertaking home visits prior to a child starting school; and if starting part way through the year. This provides parents with an opportunity to share information and any concerns they may have.
• We access various agencies and provide support through:
• Breakfast Club
• Self-Esteem and Anxiety Work
• Sand Tray Therapy / Play Therapy / Therapeutic Story Writing
• Forest School – Outdoor Nurture
• Daily Mile
• Close liaison with additional agencies in to support families: Police, Housing, Educational, Health, School Nurse, Incontinence and Diet advice, Social Services, Winston’s Wish, Let’s Talk, CYPS, Barnados, Early Help – Family Support Workers, Cheltenham Community Project (CCP)
• Community Social Worker visits school every two weeks.
• Attendance Outcome Co-ordinator
• Early Help Co-ordinators are available within the community to support families
• We work with Gloucestershire Forest Alternative Provision Service GFAPS to support children who find managing their behaviour difficult.
• Green Square – Financial Difficulties
• Toucan
• Early Help adviser for Pre-School support.
• Teens in Crisis (TIC+)
• Using Gloucestershire’s Pink Curriculum Resources.
• Care Grow Live CGL – Drugs Support
• Keep Safe Work
• Preparing children for court
• Pupil Voice – Rights Respecting Level 2, School Council
• Transition of reports to other settings.
• Provide support to vulnerable pupils who may need a little extra help during transition – visiting schools, photo books of new school – key people / places, travelling to school – walking / bus.
• We offer an Open Front Door – Headteacher, PBSW available outside every morning, staff are available in the playground at the end of the day.
• Staff/Parent communication through DoJo/Tapestry
• PBSW supports parents in a new relationship to access Clare’s Law through the Public Protection Bureau
• Providing Safeguarding training for staff at all levels.
• Providing an Inclusion Team on site and working with other agencies to provide early intervention and support.
• Offering preventative signposting, support with MAG meetings and access a community social worker.
• Working with the local Multi-Agency Working Hub (MASH) – also known as ‘The Early Help Hub’.
• Leading and supporting families on a Team Around the Family (TAF) / Education Health Care Plans (EHCP)
• Listening to the Voice of the Child.
• Using Gloucestershire’s Healthy Living and Learning on-line survey. Results are monitored and interventions are put in place.
• Encouraging self-esteem and self-assertiveness, through the curriculum as well as our relationships, whilst not condoning aggression or bullying.
• Providing activities within our curriculum to enhance our pupils’ knowledge, awareness and understanding e.g ‘In the Net’ and NSPCC Workshops.
• Promoting a caring, safe and positive environment within the school.
• Liaising and working together with all other support services and those agencies involved in the safeguarding of children.
• Notifying Social Care as soon as there is a significant concern.
• Providing continuing support to a child about whom there have been concerns who leaves the school by ensuring that appropriate information is copied under confidential cover to the child’s new setting and ensuring the school medical records are forwarded as a matter of priority.
• PBSW is a Mental Health Champion and is able to support parents and children.
• Budget holding Lead Professional for My Plan + / My Assessment
• If the DSL are not satisfied with the outcomes for our pupils, then the Escalation Policy will be applied.