Safeguarding
Cummersdale School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all pupils. It is the school belief that all children have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment which includes ensuring they are protected from all types of abuse.
It is important that should anyone, whether a member of the school or local community, have a concern about the welfare of a child within the school or if you have any safeguarding queries, please contact the school to speak to one of the safeguarding team:
Ring: 01228 592087
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Mr Jones (Headteacher) email: head@cummersdale.cumbria.sch.uk
Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead (DDSL)- Mrs Fay Scott (SENCo) email: fscott@cummersdale.cumbria.sch.uk
According to the DfE, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
- protecting children from maltreatment;
- preventing impairment of children's mental and physical health or development;
- ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
- taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Safeguarding is not just concerned with protecting children from deliberate harm. Safeguarding relates to all aspects of school life and a collective set of measures to ensure that every child is kept safe and feels safe. Safeguarding covers child protection, health care plans, health and safety, site security, safety on school trips, anti-bullying work, online safety and much more.
We take safeguarding very seriously and work with several agencies to ensure that all our children are safe. We have a robust Child Protection Policy, which is reviewed regularly. We are legally bound to take all disclosures seriously by children. Staff and governors receive regular training in all aspects of child protection and safeguarding.
Our Child Protection Policy is attached below.
Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP)
The CSCP is responsible for ensuring that all agencies work together to safeguard children. The CSCP website has a wealth of information and guidance for all aspects of safeguarding.
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is a unique police and education early intervention partnership which supports children and young people who are exposed to domestic abuse. Operation Encompass will report to schools, before the start of the school day, any incidents involving a pupil or where a pupil has been exposed to abuse, the previous night. Information is shared in strict confidence to the DSL or DDSL to enable support to be put in place depending on the needs and wishes of the child.
Family Action – FamilyLine. A service available for all Cumbrian families
Family Action are commissioned by Cumbria County Council to provide 0-19 Child and Family Support Services in four of Cumbria’s six districts – but there are services that are available to all families in Cumbria.
One of those services is FamilyLine. FamilyLine is a free support service available via telephone, text, email and web chat.
Family Action recognises that family pressures can sometimes be difficult to manage without emotional support and guidance to help. Many people feel confused by what information is available or struggle to access services close to home.
FamilyLine uses a network of volunteers from across the country to support family members over the age of 18 through telephone calls, email, web chat and text message.
The service aims to:
- provide both immediate and long-term support
- help with practical information and guidance
- provide emotional and listening support
- help with understanding and accessing relevant services and information
- provide regular one-to-one befriending support to service users feeling isolated
- access to short term telephone counselling
- a referral into our many projects across England and Wales, where relevant.
- Family Line is for family members aged 18 years old and over from anywhere in England, Wales and the Isle of Man.
Opening times:
Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm
Contact details:
Telephone: 0808 802 6666
Text message: 07537 404 282
Email: familyline@family-action.org.uk
If a family need support outside of those hours, they can leave a message and they will receive a call back in operational hours. If it is a crisis, then there is a crisis line to a trained professional 24/7 that can be access by texting FAMILYACTION to 85258. This service is delivered in partnership with Shout.
Full information can be found at Family Action
Barnardos is recommended for parents/carers to access for support from Barnados.
Barnados offer mental health services across the UK to help children, young people, and families when they need them most. Depending on your location, this may include:
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- support for children and young people diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
- support for young people who identify as LGBT+
- one-to-one and group counselling
- play and art therapy
- support for young people who have experienced trauma and abuse and their families
- school-based programmes that teach young people about mental and emotional well-being.
Useful links for parents:
NSPCC helpline - 0800 136 663
CEOP for Parents/Carers: CEOP
Parents' guide for safe YouTube and Internet streaming: Safety Detectives
Early Help Information Leaflet
Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools DfE information
DfE advice on cyber bullying guidance
Child Protection Policy 2024