Safeguarding Statement:

Safeguarding our pupils is a number one priority for us at Ysgol Y Bryn. Each and every pupil's safety is very important to us and we pride ourselves on the support we provide our pupils and their families.

Our school is committed to ensuring the safety and protection of every one of our children. We acknowledge that all children have a right to protection and we will take action to safeguard their well-being.  We expect all staff, governors, visitors and volunteers to share this commitment to safeguarding our pupils.

We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection, and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding & Child Protection Officers.

The procedures which we follow have been laid down by Carmarthenshire County Council and we have adopted their model policy, for the safety of all.

We ensure that we comply fully to Safe Recruitment procedures to ensure that all staff (Teachers, Governors, Teaching Assistants, Office staff, volunteers etc) have been appropriately checked for their suitability to work with children.

In addition we ensure that we:

• raise awareness of safeguarding issues and equip children with the skills needed to keep them safe;
• have clear procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse;
• support vulnerable pupils and those on child protection plans;
• establish a safe and nurturing environment free from discrimination or bullying, where children can learn and develop happily.

We recognise that because of their day-to-day contact with children, school staff are ideally placed to observe the outward signs of abuse.  Staff in schools will therefore:

• report any inappropriate behaviour / activities to designated staff;
• establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to;
• ensure that children know that they can approach any adult in school if they are worried and they will receive a consistent, supportive response;
• provide, within the PSHE curriculum, opportunities for children to develop the skills they need to recognise, and stay safe, from abuse.
• ensure that pupils are made aware of the dangers posed by sharing information online and know how to respond appropriately to potential e-safety threats.

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, 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 use the information that has been shared with them about the domestic incident. This is to ensure that a child is adequately supported and/or their families, who have been involved in, or exposed to, a domestic abuse incident.

Our Designated Safeguarding Officer is: Mrs R Dawson (Acting Headteacher)

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officers are:  Mrs R Nicholas (Acting Deputy Headteacher/FP Lead/SLT) and Miss G James (KS2 Lead/SLT).

Our Safeguarding Governors are: 

Cllr. G. Jones  (Chair of the Governing Body) - garyjones@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Mr. I. Lewis (Vice Chair of the Governing Body) islwyn.lewis@bryn.ysgolccc.cymru

The Schools' Safeguarding Policy can be viewed via the website.

For further advice and support please speak to the Central Referral Team - 01554 742322

Additional information can also be obtained from the School Office.  Please speak to Mrs. S. Robinson