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 is comprised of;

Mrs Beale (Designated Lead for Safeguarding and Early Years Designated Member of Staff for Safeguarding)

Mr Salmon (EYFS Designated Lead for Safeguarding)

Miss Flubacher (Deputy Designated Lead for Safeguarding)

Mrs Alison Sims (Safeguarding Governor)

If you have any concerns about a child, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Beale or one of the school’s Deputy Designated Leaders.

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.

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

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