Dunmore Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and families. We expect all of our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our safeguarding policy, which you can find under the policies and procedures tab. 

Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child's welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about a pupil are discussed with their parents or carers first, unless we have a reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.

Keeping your child safe: There is a culture of trust and support in our school underpinned by mutual respect.  Children should be able to talk to any one of our caring staff if they have concerns or worries (or for any other reason).  If your child says something that is concerning, this may be noted down on our computer-based system and the safeguarding leads will be notified.  Staff will also be vigilant for signs of any abuse. For example: bruises in particular places, extreme hunger or tiredness, change of personality, change in appearance etc.

Usually, staff will ask you about this directly and sometimes there will be a very plausible reason.  It is vital that you keep us informed if something happens at home so that we can do our very best to support your child in school.

If the DSL feels that you may need some extra support, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) may be contacted with a referral.  You will generally be informed that we are going to make a referral directly, unless we feel that your child will be in danger if we do so, in which case MASH will be contacted without prior discussion with the parents/carers. 

If MASH believes that the referral meets their threshold, they will carry out an assessment of need, contacting parents/carers and other professionals.

If there is a significant area of concern, then a meeting will be held to see if the information meets the criteria for higher levels of involvement (Child Protection or Child in Need) and you will be given support and guidance with the aim of providing your child with a safe and secure childhood, the minimum any parent desires for their child. 

Occasionally, we may be able to refer you to more local community help.

In these circumstances, our Family Liaison Officer (Mrs Anne Platt) can assist you with completing a Strengths and Needs document which helps us to understand if any further support would be useful and which service would be best placed to provide that support.

If you have any queries please contact the DSL.

Email: pros3517@dunmore.oxon.sch.uk (Mrs Pina Ross).

Phone: 01235 520550.

We actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalisation and extremism.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Mrs Pina Ross and, in her absence, Mr Sam Bartholomew, Mrs Sarah Smith and Mrs Ruth Barker. 

There may be times that you need help outside the school day. The following links are to websites that you might find useful in helping to keep you and your family safe. 

• Childline Children up to the age of 19 can talk to us about anything. No problem is too big or too small. Call us on 0800 1111 or chat with us online.

• NSPCC   

  Contact us - NSPCC You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our voice Helpline is currently available from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday. You can still email at any time for free. You don’t have to say who you are. If you think a child is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999 straight away. www.nspcc.org.uk

• Samaritans Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you have an immediate safeguarding concern about a child, please contact MASH on :

0345 0507666

Or for more immediate help, call:

999 or 101