At Much Wenlock Primary School and Nursery, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children is our highest priority. We believe it is never acceptable for a child or young person to experience any form of abuse or neglect. Protecting our pupils is everyone’s responsibility, and we work diligently with children, parents, carers, and external agencies to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding are upheld.
We adhere strictly to multi-agency procedures as outlined by the Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership Manual (SSCP) and acknowledge that the welfare of the child is always paramount. It is our duty to respond promptly and appropriately to all concerns, incidents, or allegations of abuse or neglect. Our statutory duties and supporting guidance include:
All staff at Much Wenlock Primary School and Nursery undergo safeguarding training as part of their induction, including viewing the essential video, Keeping Children Safe in Shropshire: What Professionals Need to Know.
Our Safeguarding Team
If you have any concerns regarding the safety or welfare of a child at our school, please contact our safeguarding team immediately:
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Rachel Howell-James
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Emma Nicholas
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Tom Richards
- Safeguarding Link Governor: Robert Noddings
Notice – Check – Share
Safeguarding means protecting children from abuse and neglect. Anyone who works with children and families has a responsibility to:
- Protect children from maltreatment
- Prevent impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensure children grow up in safe and effective care
- Act proactively so all children achieve their full potential
Early Help at Our School
Our Early Help Offer ensures that families receive timely and proactive support. Early Help involves identifying concerns early, providing practical support, and collaborating with families and external agencies for positive outcomes. Our Early Help services include:
- Monthly Early Help Coffee Mornings: Informal drop-ins with the Shropshire Early Help team offering professional guidance, advice, and strategies. These take place on the first Tuesday of each month (Term time only) from 9.30 – 11.00am. No need to book just turn up to the school office.
- Parent Consultation Evenings: Tailored advice and support available to families via the Shropshire Early Help Team.
- Pastoral and Emotional Support: Nurture groups, mentoring, and SEMH interventions.
- Family Support and Advice: Guidance to access external services such as health, attendance, or financial advice.
- Academic and SEND Support: Targeted interventions and inclusive SEND strategies.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing: Referrals and support from specialist services when needed.
SEND and Safeguarding
These resources provide topics and suggestions for starting and having discussions with neurodiverse young people about their online experiences. The films on this website explore the challenges that neurodiverse young people may face online with regards to rigid thinking, discerning who or what is truthful online and situations that can lead to strong emotions.
SEND – UK Safer Internet Centre
Operation Encompass – Supporting Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse
Operation Encompass is a national scheme that helps schools provide support to children who may have experienced domestic abuse.
Through this initiative, police and the local authority inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead before the start of the next school day if a child has been involved in a domestic abuse incident. This enables us to offer immediate emotional and practical support.
Domestic abuse includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial, or emotional abuse between intimate partners or family members aged 16 and over.
Designated Safeguarding Leads are specially trained to handle this information in confidence and use it to support the child appropriately.
Information sharing under Operation Encompass is permitted under safeguarding legislation, the Crime and Disorder Act (for the prevention of crime), and UK GDPR regulations.
Click the link for contact details of support that can help those affected by domestic abuse:
Working Together with Families
We consider parents and carers our primary partners in safeguarding. While we aim to collaborate closely with families, if we believe a child is at risk of harm, we have a statutory duty to immediately report our concerns to Children’s Social Care.
Safeguarding Partner Organisations
Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership
Early help | Shropshire Council
NSPCC | The UK children’s charity | NSPCC
Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism of children
We have a duty to protect children from being exploited by extremists through a Home Office programme called Prevent. It can be hard to know what to do if you’re worried someone close is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could lead to them harming themselves or others. Should you have any concerns about a child at Coleham Primary School please speak to a member of school staff immediately.
The Act Early website is a useful resource to find out about Prevent
Child Exploitation
Not in our Community Website raises awareness to young people on exploitation and provides resources for children, parents and professionals
Are you a Parent or Guardian? Protecting children is your responsibility too.
If you think a child or young person is at risk, please do not delay. Contact:
- Shropshire Children’s Services: 0345 678 9021
Alternatively, you can speak to:
- Public Protection Unit (West Mercia Police): 0300 333 3000
- NSPCC Helpline: 0800 800 5000
- Childline (for children and young people): 0800 1111
If a child is in immediate danger, always call 999 immediately.
Newsletters:
TREES Newsletter Issue 17 – Spring 2025
The newsletter includes:
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Emerging safeguarding themes across Shropshire
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Practical advice for parents and families
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Details of support services available for young people
Workshops and Useful Links
Jan 2026 Session link: Online safety Parents Session by Simon Lewis on Prezi
Click on this link to access links to all key websites linked to themes within this workshop that will provide further guidance: 3 to 18 Education Trust Parent Online Safety links