West Moors Middle School is committed to the safeguarding of all its pupils.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of all adults and especially those working or volunteering with children. The School aims to help protect the children in its care by working consistently and appropriately with all agencies to reduce risk and promote the welfare of children. All professionals work within the same safeguarding procedures. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members will always act in the interest of the child.

Child Protection is one very important aspect of safeguarding. It refers to the activity which is undertaken to protect children who are suffering, or at risk of suffering, significant harm. Safeguarding, in addition to child protection, encompasses issues such as pupil health and safety, bullying/cyber-bullying, appropriate medical provision, drugs and substance misuse.

Here at West Moors Middle School we have a Code of Conduct for Safer Practice.  All staff at school sign to agree that they will abide by this Code.

For families and members of the public who have a concern regarding a child living in Dorset the phone number for CHAD (Children’s Advice and Duty Service) is 01305 228866.

The line is covered Mon to Friday 8.00am-10.00pm and Sat and Sun 9.00am-10.00pm.

If you are worried about a child - contact Dorset Council.  

For concerns regarding a child living in the Bournemouth area the contact number for the Children’s First Response Hub please phone, email or complete a referral form: childrensfirstresponse@bpccouncil.gov.uk

The First Response Hub is open: Monday to Thursday, 8-30 to 5.15pm

Friday, 8-30 to 4-45pm        Tel: 01202 735 046

Urgent help out of hours

The out of hours service offer emergency support for any child who is in crisis, needs urgent help or is at risk of significant harm.

In an emergency, or if you believe a child is at immediate danger or risk of harm, call the police on 999.

Designated Safeguarding Officer: Dr Deborah Craddock

Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Kathryn Beavan

Deputy Safeguarding Officer: Deborah East

WMMS Behaviour Management & Anti-Bullying Policy March 2020

WMMS Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy Nov 2020

WMMS ICT Acceptable Use Policy (Pupil) March 2020

WMMS ICT Acceptable Use Policy (Staff & Volunteers) March 2020

WMMS Intimate care policy Nov 2020

WMMS Looked after children policy Nov 2020

WMMS Drugs and alcohol policy Nov 2020

WMMS Safeguarding Policy 2020-21

WMMS Safeguarding Covid -19 addendum Nov 2020

WMMS Sen Policy September 2020

WMMS Social media policy Nov 2020

WMMS Supporting children with medical conditions and managing medicines Nov 2020

Please click here for Department of Education Statutory Advice

PREVENT

There is a duty on schools to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. This is called the PREVENT duty.  All staff are trained in line with our statutory Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.

WMMS Prevent policy Nov 2020

DFE Keeping children safe in education part 1 September 2020

Working together to safeguard children July 2018

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass Safeguarding Statement at West Moors Middle School

Coronavirus (COVID-19): safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers 

Dorset Council (Primary - 16 years) Keeping all children safe

If you are feeling unsafe at home, speak out you will be believed – talk to someone you trust or call Childline 0800 1111. If you can’t get to a phone visit childline.org.uk/get-support or tinyurl.com/SafeDorset

Click here

School Risk Assessment

We continually review the Government's directives and update the school's HSF Risk Assessment accordingly. 

For access to full details of the HSF Risk Assessment, that was last updated in December 2020, please CLICK HERE. 

Online Safety:

Online safety is so important, especially as children are accessing learning resources online more to support their learning. It is really important that parents/ carers know what their children are doing online and who they’re talking to. Unfortunately this pandemic is making online forums more vulnerable than ever. Please make sure you talk to your children about being safe online.

For further information please visit: https://dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/scams-fraud-cyber/cybercrime/child-online-safety/ 

In addition, please see the following video resource: 

Private Fostering

What is private fostering?

Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (or 18 if disabled) lives with someone for 28 days or more who is not a: 

• close relative such as a grandparent, sibling, uncle or aunt or step-parent
• guardian
• person with parental responsibility

The parent/s and the private foster carer would make this arrangement, not the local council.

Why may someone private foster?

Private fostering can if happen if the child or young person:

• has parents who live overseas and they come to this country to attend school
• has parents who are ill and cannot look after them
• has been estranged from their families
• is attending language schools and staying with host families

Find out more on the Coram BAAF Adoption and Fostering Academy website.

Are you involved in a private fostering arrangement?

Some people are not aware that they are a private foster carer or their child is in a private fostering arrangement.

Is your child being looked after by someone else?

If you're thinking of placing your child with a private foster carer, you must tell us at least 6 weeks before the placement starts. If it has already begun, tell us straight away.

You are responsible for making sure the placement is suitable for your child. We will do checks on the private fostering carer and their family to make sure they meet your child's needs. See more guidance for parents on private fostering.

Are you looking after someone else's child?

You might be private fostering if you are caring for a child full time and you are not the child's parent or close relative. You must tell us 6 weeks before any arrangement starts or straight away if already begun. Find out more about caring for someone else's child.

Notify us about a private fostering arrangement

You must inform us if you know about a child that is being or going to be privately fostered. By law, we must know of any arrangement. Dorset's Children's Services can then make sure the arrangement is suitable.

Inform the Children's Services safeguarding hub if you are:

• the parent/carer of the child or the private foster carer
• involved in the arrangement
• a social worker or from another local council

If you know someone is private fostering, please contact Dorset's Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub.

Contact the Fostering Team if you want to speak to the lead contact for private fostering and you are a social worker or from another local council.

Foreign language students

You must tell us about a private fostering arrangement if you are looking after a child under the age of 16 from overseas attending a language school in Dorset.

Register and complete the form to tell us about a private fostering arrangement for a language student from overseas.

Children's Advice and Duty Service

Name: Single point of contact for safeguarding concerns
Tel: 01305228866
Full contact details for Children's Advice and Duty Service

Fostering Team

Email: fosteringenquiries@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 225568
Full contact details for Fostering Team