At St. Matthias CE Primary School the protection of the children in our care is one of our key priorities and responsibilities. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all our children.

Our Safeguarding Team

• Mrs Beale (Designated Lead for Safeguarding and Early Years Designated Member of Staff for Safeguarding)
• Mr Thompson (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead)
• Mr Salmon (EYFS Designated Lead for Safeguarding)
• Mrs Batelen (Safeguarding Governor)

Key Safeguarding Information

Operation Encompass

St Matthias is taking part in a national project, which is being run locally in partnership with Worcestershire County Council and West Mercia Police. Operation Encompass is a process whereby the police and county council will inform a member of staff if a child or young person has experienced and domestic incident. This will be done prior to the start of the next school day. Information sharing between professional agencies allows school staff to provide emotional and practical support to their pupils experiencing domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse can broadly be defined as 'any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who have been intimate partners or family members. This can include, but is not limited to the following types of abuse- psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional.

 Operation Encompass ensures that a member of the school staff, usually the Designated Safeguarding Lead, is given special training, to enable them to liaise with the police and county council in receiving and using the information that has been shared, in confidence.

The sharing of details under Operation Encompass is permitted under Statutory Safeguarding Legislation and in respect of local authority schools under the Crime and Disorder Act for the prevention of crime) and doing so without the child's or parent's consent is permissible under both pieces of legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

At St Matthias we want to offer the nest support possible to all our pupils and we believe, that where necessary, this will be beneficial in helping us to achieve that goal. 

Below is a list of local and national advice and support agencies who can help those who may be affected by domestic abuse.

Useful contacts

Here are some more very useful websites which we recommend for parents:

• Childline Private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen to find advice and discuss issues with counsellors. Tel: 08001111
• NSPCC leading children's charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands. NSPCC: Online and phone-whatever your worry, whenever you need help, however you want to get in touch.
• Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre Advice on internet safety for young people, parents and professionals. Report inappropriate website content or contact with a young person.
• Internet Watch Foundation UK Hotline for reporting criminal content including child abuse content so that it can be removed.
• Net aware Your quick guide to the social networks your children maybe using.

Useful telephone numbers

• Emergencies 999
• Police non emergencies and advice ring 101
• NHS non-emergency medical helpline ring 111
• Family Front Door - 01905 822666 to report a concern about a child or request additional help for a family ring
• Childline 08001111 a free, private and confidential service where you can be you.
• NSPCC Help for adults concerned about a child Call 0808 800 5000

Support for Parents and Families

Please see our Support for Parents and Families page for more information about how and where to get help.