Nishkam Commitment to Safeguarding & Child Protection

At Nishkam School we are committed to safeguarding children and young people and we expect everyone who works in our school to share this commitment.

Adults in our school take all welfare concerns seriously and encourage children and young people to talk to us about anything that may worry them.

Safeguarding Contacts in School

Designated Safeguarding Leader

Z Parkes (Head Teacher)

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads

S Wallis (SENDCO)

M Chahal (Deputy Headteacher)

L Hill (Administrator)

Please click here for the APS Safeguarding Policy.

Communication with Parents

Our school will always discuss concerns with parents/carers and consent for any referrals should be sought unless to do so would:

• Place the child at risk of significant harm or further risk of significant harm.
• Place a vulnerable adult at risk of harm.
• Compromise any enquiries that need to be undertaken by children’s social care or the police.

The school will endeavour to ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibilities placed on the school and staff for safeguarding children.

In the best interests of safeguarding children there may be occasions when the school has to consult with other agencies without a parent or carer’s prior knowledge. Our first concern and responsibility is the child’s welfare and we have a duty to protect children first and always. Such consultation may result in a formal referral which could prompt visits from social care and/or the police. We fully understand that this can be a very distressing set of circumstances. Our school will follow the procedures required by the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together Partnership.

As a high quality, faith-based school, our approach models the ideal environment for raising children – where they are a part of a caring community. Children’s spiritual, emotional, physical and mental development will be supported by trained and experienced staff.

Child Protection and Wellbeing

A safe and secure environment is of paramount importance. You can be assured of your child’s well-being by the practices we adopt at the Nishkam School. All our staff are fully trained in child safety and child protection practices, as well as First-Aid for children.

We operate a secure entrance system with video-linked intercom; only parents and staff are permitted to enter. All visitors are met at the door by a member of staff and escorted into the School if appropriate. All visitors must present a form of identity.

Child Protection and Safeguarding Children

Our first concern at all times is the safety and well-being of the children in our care. By law, we are required to follow recommended procedures for the reporting of suspected child abuse. Where a child’s personal safety is concerned we may have to consult outside agencies such as Social Services as a legal responsibility before we speak to a parent.

Keeping in Contact

Your child’s welfare is most important to us and it is essential that we are able to contact you at any time during school hours. Please provide the school with two or three up to date telephone numbers and please inform us if you change your mobile phone number.

Complaints and Concerns

We want every child to be happy and receive the best education and pastoral care possible. We hope that any concerns that arise can be resolved with your child’s class teacher, however if you would prefer a discussion with the Head Teacher, then please arrange this through the school office. In the unlikely event of a concern is not resolved satisfactory, parents can write to the Chair of Governors at the school. The Governors’ formal complaints policy is available from the school office.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection website

Nishkam Schools Multi Academy Trust is committed to ensure that every child and every adult connected with our schools understands that sexual harassment, online sexual abuse and sexual violence are unacceptable.

We take most seriously our responsibility to educate our children in these matters using our 'faith inspired, virtues led' approach and, at the same time, to ensure that everyone knows how to report any of these issues should they encounter them.

We are therefore promoting the use of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection website that provides simple guidance on how to make a report and gives age-appropriate information about keeping yourself or a child you know safer from online child sexual abuse.

https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/