We are committed to the safety of all visitors, staff and pupils on the school site. At Coupals Primary Academy, we believe that all children have the right to be safeguarded regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality or disability. Adults, in a position of trust, working with children have a duty of care to safeguard them.

Abuse can take place in any family, institution or community setting, by telephone, social media or on the internet. Abuse can often be difficult to recognise, as children may behave differently or seem unhappy for many reasons, as they move through the stages of childhood or their family circumstances change. However, it is important to know the indicators of abuse and to be alert to the need to consult further.

All school staff need to be aware that abuse, neglect and safeguarding issues are rarely standalone events that can be covered by one definition or label. In most cases, multiple issues will overlap with one another. The following policy has been adapted from Suffolk County Council’s (SCC) safeguarding model policy for schools and education settings and links to other relevant policies such as online safety, whistle-blowing, anti–bullying, our staff code of conduct and other relevant guidance to staff, such as our ‘Prevent’ duty.

Consistent with statutory expectation, our safeguarding policy is reviewed at least annually to keep it in line with local and national guidance/ legislation, and in discussion with the school’s Local Governing Body. It also makes links to the Local Safeguarding Children Board requirements.

Safeguarding Procedure

These procedures provide a framework within which communities and organisations, at a local level, work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. They aim to ensure that everyone involved understands what is expected of them and what they can expect from others, and to ensure that everyone works in ways that are consistent. In accordance with the Children Act 1989 and 2004, a child is any person who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. Therefore, for the purposes of these procedures, the reference to children means ‘children and young people’ throughout.

Safeguarding Responsibilities and Expectations

Coupals Primary Academy has a local governing body whose legal responsibility it is to make sure that the school has an effective safeguarding policy and procedures in place and to monitor that the school complies with them. It is also the responsibility of our governing body to ensure that staff and volunteers are properly vetted to make sure they are safe to work with the pupils who attend our school and that the school has procedures for appropriately managing allegations of abuse made against members of staff (including the headteacher and volunteer helpers). Our local governing body will ensure that there is a named governor and a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who has lead responsibility for dealing with all safeguarding issues. At Coupals Primary Academy these are:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mr Wade (Headteacher). He can be contacted via email on admin@coupalsacademy.co.uk or by using the school’s telephone number 01440 763933.
• Deputy DSLs: Mrs Sendall (Executive Headteacher), Mrs Shorter (Deputy Headteacher), Miss Guiler (Assistant Headteacher), Miss Brown (Assistant Headteacher), Mrs Billings (Pastoral) and Mrs Allen (Children and Family Support Manager). They can be contacted via the school’s telephone number on 01440 763933 or through email at admin@coupalsacademy.co.uk.
• Named Safeguarding Governor: Sue Kehr
• Online Safety Lead: Mr Gudgeon. Mr Gudgeon can be contacted via the school’s telephone number 01440 763933.
• Designated Teacher for ‘Looked After Children’ (LAC): Mrs Allen