St Nicholas Primary School is committed to the protection and safety of its pupils and rigorously follows Hertfordshire's procedures on safeguarding.  We work in partnership with families and external agencies to identify children who need support.  Our Safeguarding Team are available to discuss any concerns you may have. Mrs Crouch is the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Mrs Kennett and Dr Cherniaeva are the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.

All staff and volunteers are required to have a Disclosure and Baring Services (DBS) check before commencing duties at the school.  The Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies are available on our policies page (please click link below) or from the School Office.

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass is an initiative that directly connects the police with schools to ensure better outcomes for children. This initiative involves reporting to schools, when a child or young person has been exposed to, or involved in, any domestic incident.

Operation Encompass will ensure that a member of the school staff, known as a Key Adult, is trained to allow them to liaise with the local authority and to use the information that has been shared. This is done in confidence, while ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been involved in, or exposed to, a domestic abuse incident.

All related information is shared with Mrs Crouch (Designated Safeguarding Lead) Mrs Kennett and Dr Cherniaeva (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads) and teaching staff - on a need to know basis.

This information is stored in line with all other confidential safeguarding and child protection information.

We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.

Helping children to stay safe

During the PSHE lessons focussed on providing children with strategies to stay safe. The NSPCC materials were shared in all the classes.  The “Underwear Rule” campaign- also known as the PANTS campaign – is a simple and clever acronym devised to teach the key, safety messages:
 Privates are private.
 Always remember your body belongs to you.
 No means no.
 Talk about secrets that upset you and
 Speak up, someone can help.

Teachers reinforced that any body part covered by a swimwear is private. Children were reminded to tell someone they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried. We would encourage parents and carers to talk to their children about staying safe.  A helpful starting point is to watch the PANTS video together. Please find below a link to the NSPCC page where you will find more information.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/