Safeguarding

Schools and their staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children.  Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

(Keeping Children Safe in Education – DfE )

St Lawrence Primary School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, staff and visitors and promoting a climate where children and adults feel confident about sharing any concerns that they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, which can be viewed in the Policies section of our website, together with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

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 our pupils are discussed with parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child's welfare.

Designated Safeguarding Leads

Kerry Malcolm  (Headteacher)

Michelle Auton (Assistant Headteacher)

Gill Aylett (Assistant Headteacher)

Our office hours are 8.45pm to 5.45pm.

Outside of these hours, we are not always able to answer your email however, if you have an urgent safeguarding concern, please contact:

• If a child or young person is in immediate danger, call 999.
• If you're worried that a child is being abused or neglected, call the Children and Families Hub on 0345 603 7627. This phone line is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm, and Fridays 9am to 4:30pm.
• Out of hours or bank holidays, call the emergency duty team on 0345 606 1212.

If you or someone that you care for is having an urgent mental health issue, you should:

• call your mental health support worker, if you have one - this may be your care co-ordinator or key worker
• call NHS 111: This NHS service is available 24 hours a day
• book an emergency GP appointment - they should be able to offer you an appointment in a crisis with the first available doctor
• call Adult Social Care on 0345 603 7630 or 0345 606 1212 (outside of normal working hours)
• contact the local adult mental health team
• search for EPUT crisis support services or call NELFT (for young people) on 0300 555 1201
• NHS Choices has a mental health helpline page with a list of organisations you can call for immediate assistance

The following organisations also offer urgent mental health support:

• call Samaritans on 116 123 (24 hours, 365 days a year) - calls are free and confidential and will not appear on your phone bill
• text ‘Shout’ to 85258 to speak to a trained volunteer via text (24 hours, 365 days a year) - texts are free and confidential
• download the Stay Alive app if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else - it has links to urgent, local and online support as well as an area to set out your own safety and wellness plans

Help with meals and shopping, including how to find a foodbank:

https://www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/help-live-home/help-meals-and-shopping