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Safeguarding at St Peter’s
"Vulnerable pupils and their families are exceptionally well cared for through a wealth of initiatives facilitated by the school. These include subsidised breakfast club, food bank access, innovative parental engagement sessions and programmes that address issues of trauma. This results in improved attendance, combats poverty, addresses mental health, and nurtures families through difficult times. Having accessed support, one parent conveyed the transformation in their child, describing them as ‘full of life’. The vision brings about life-enhancing outcomes for pupils and their families, empowering all to overcome barriers to flourishing." (SIAMs, January 2024)
At St Peter’s CE Primary School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, respected, loved and supported to thrive.
Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility
All staff, governors, volunteers, and visitors share the responsibility of keeping children safe. If you have any concerns about a child’s welfare, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. Contact: 01254233513, bursar@st-peters.lancs.sch.uk.
- DSL: Emma Moss, Headteacher
- Deputy DSLs: Lucy Turner, Deputy Headteacher & Cath Smith, Pastoral Support Worker
- Safeguarding Governor: Peter Williams, chair@st-peters.lancs.sch.uk
If you have immediate concerns for the welfare of a child please contact Social Care Support for Children and Families - Lancashire County Council. Call 0300 123 6720 or out of hours 0300 123 6722.
Our Commitment to Keeping Children Safe
We follow the statutory guidance set out in the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025. This includes:
- Rigorous safer recruitment procedures
- A clear child protection policy
- Ongoing and rigorous staff training on safeguarding and child protection
- A designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and deputy DSLs
- Working with a range of other agencies across Lancashire to support families including the Police, Operation Encompass, Children’s Social Care, ELCAS, Child and Family Well Being Service, and many more.
- Procedures for managing allegations and low-level concerns
- A proactive approach to online safety, including misinformation and AI-related risks
You can read the full KCSIE 2025 guidance here.
A Trauma-Informed School
We are proud to be a trauma-informed school, recognising that many children may have experienced adversity or trauma. Our approach is grounded in empathy, safety, and connection:
- Staff are trained to understand the impact of trauma on brain development and behaviour
- We prioritise emotional regulation, co-regulation, and psychological safety in every classroom
- Our behaviour policy is rooted in relational practice, not punishment
This approach helps us build resilience, reduce exclusions, and support every child’s mental health and wellbeing.
Positive Relationships at the Core
We believe that positive, respectful relationships are the foundation of a safe and happy school. Through our PSHE and Relationships Education curriculum, we teach children to:
- Recognise healthy and unhealthy relationships
- Understand boundaries, consent, and personal safety
- Communicate with kindness and empathy
- Seek help from trusted adults when needed
We also model these values in our daily interactions, ensuring that every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
Early Help
At St Peter’s we have an Early Help Offer built around our strong relationships and trust, treating families as individuals. We aim to support families through mental health support, accessing food vouchers, signposting to support groups, housing support, uniform provision and much more.
We promote a multi-agency approach through Early Help Assessments and signpost to Lead Practitioners to support vulnerable families with their consent.
The school is a key partner in coordinated efforts with other agencies to ensure children and families receive the support they need.
Child and Family Well-Being Service Family Support & Hubs
We understand that strong families build strong foundations for children. That’s why we work closely with local services and Family Hubs to ensure every family can access the support they need - both in person and online.
Support for Every Stage of Family Life
Whether you're expecting a baby or raising a teenager, help is available for families with children from pregnancy through to 19 years old, or up to 25 years old for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
What You’ll Find at Family Hubs
Family Hubs offer a welcoming space where you can access a wide range of services, including:
- Midwife and health visitor appointments
- Groups for expectant mums and dads
- Counselling and emotional wellbeing support
- Baby feeding advice and guidance
- SEND support groups and tailored advice
Working Together for You
We’re proud to be part of a wider network of support that includes:
- NHS services
- Local schools and nurseries
- Community organisations and charities
This joined-up approach means you won’t have to repeat your story to multiple professionals. Instead, we work together to provide coordinated, compassionate care that meets your family’s needs.
To learn more about Family Hubs and the services available near you, please contact our school office or visit your local council’s Family Hub Website.
Operation Encompass
We are proud to be part of Operation Encompass, a national partnership between police and education that supports children who have experienced domestic abuse.
What Is Operation Encompass?
Operation Encompass is an early information-sharing initiative that enables schools to offer immediate and tailored support to children following a domestic abuse incident. It ensures that our trained Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - also known as the Key Adult - is notified before the start of the next school day if police have attended an incident involving a child’s household.
How it Works
- Police attending a domestic abuse incident identify if children are involved or present.
- A brief notification is sent securely to the school’s Key Adult.
- This allows the school to provide appropriate care and support from the moment the child arrives.
Why it Matters
Children experiencing domestic abuse may arrive at school upset, withdrawn, or anxious. Operation Encompass ensures:
- Timely support tailored to the child’s emotional and practical needs.
- Discreet and sensitive handling by trusted staff.
- Continuity of care in partnership with families and external agencies.
Our Commitment
We are committed to safeguarding every child and ensuring they feel safe, supported, and understood. Operation Encompass strengthens our ability to respond quickly and compassionately when children need us most.
For more information, please visit Operation Encompass or contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead via the school office.
Children Missing in Education (CME)
We are committed to ensuring that every child receives their full entitlement to education. We work closely with families and the Local Authority to identify and support children who are missing from education.
What is CME?
Children Missing in Education are those who are:
- Not registered at a school.
- Not receiving suitable education at home or elsewhere.
- At risk of falling through the system due to changes in family circumstances, such as moving house, exclusion, or disengagement.
Why it Matters
Missing education can have serious long-term effects on a child’s:
- Academic progress.
- Emotional wellbeing.
- Safety and future opportunities.
Our Role
We follow statutory guidance to:
- Monitor attendance closely.
- Report concerns to the Local Authority CME team.
- Work with other agencies to locate and support children.
- Ensure swift re-engagement with education.
What Families Can Do
If your child is not attending school or you are moving to a new area:
- Inform the school as soon as possible.
- Provide updated contact details.
- Work with us to ensure continuity of education.
Working Together
We collaborate with:
- Local Authority CME officers.
- Social care and health services.
- Police and safeguarding teams.
Together, we aim to keep every child safe, supported, and learning.