Safeguarding
Ickleford Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects everyone to share this commitment. This means that we have a Child Protection Policy and robust safeguarding procedures in place. Teaching, non-teaching and supply staff, as well as volunteers and governors ensure that they are aware of these procedures.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with a child’s parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Keeping Children Safe in Education Sept 2025
HFL Summer 2025 Parent Newsletter Online Safety
HLF Spring 2025 Parent Newsletter Online Safety
HFL Autumn 2025 Parent Newsletter Online Safety
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Mrs Sarah Wright - Headteacher
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSL)
Mrs Jessica Beesen-Smith - Deputy Headteacher
Mrs Ulrike Banbury - Senior Teacher
Safeguarding Governor
Dr Miles Maxwell - Chair of Governors
Mobile Phones
To ensure the safeguarding of all children and staff, the governing board have agreed that children are not permitted to bring mobile phones into school.
By accepting a place for their child at Ickleford Primary School, it is expected that parents and their children will abide by the school's policies, rules and ethos.
Smartphone Free Childhood
Across the UK, a growing movement is encouraging communities, schools, and workplaces to embrace smartphone-free initiatives. This shift reflects a collective understanding of the impact of excessive screen time on mental health, productivity, and social interactions. At its heart, this movement is about fostering deeper connections, promoting well-being, and encouraging everyone, especially children, to live more fully in the moment.
As part of this important initiative, the Hitchin Primary Heads Consortium has published a letter to parents, outlining their shared philosophy and collaborative response to the challenges posed by smartphone use. This unified approach underscores the importance of:
- Supporting children’s mental health and emotional well-being.
- Encouraging meaningful face-to-face interactions and reducing distractions.
- Helping children develop healthy, balanced relationships with technology.
Hitchin Primary Heads Consortium Smartphone Free Letter Nov2024
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass: Supporting Our Children Through Domestic Abuse
What is Operation Encompass?
Operation Encompass is a vital partnership between local police and schools designed to provide early information sharing to support children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. Through this initiative, the police share information with our school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) following any domestic abuse incidents. This allows us to offer immediate and tailored support to affected children by the start of the next school day.
Why is This Important?
Children exposed to domestic abuse often face serious emotional, physical, and psychological challenges. Such experiences are classified as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which can significantly impact a child’s well-being and development. Operation Encompass aims to reduce this harm by facilitating prompt assistance, making a child’s day a little brighter and fostering hope for a better tomorrow.
How Does It Work?
When police officers respond to a domestic abuse incident, they notify our school about any children involved. This allows our staff to prepare and implement appropriate support measures based on the child's needs and preferences. The proactive sharing of this information ensures that we can safeguard children more effectively against both immediate and long-term effects of domestic abuse.
Our Commitment
At Ickleford Primary School, we are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for all our pupils. Through Operation Encompass, we are committed to ensuring that children who are affected by domestic abuse receive the care and support they need to thrive.
If you have any questions or concerns about Operation Encompass or how we can support your child, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Mrs Sarah Wright
IPS Operation Encompass
Parent Poster Operation Encompass - English
Families First Support in Hertfordshire
Families First is a Hertfordshire-wide initiative providing coordinated support for children, young people, and their families to address challenges and improve outcomes. It is a multi-agency approach designed to ensure families receive the right help at the right time by working collaboratively with schools, health services, social care, and voluntary organisations.
Key features of Families First:
- Early Help: Focuses on addressing issues early to prevent them from escalating, ensuring families receive tailored support as soon as challenges arise.
- Family Support Workers: Offer practical advice and emotional support for issues like parenting, mental health, finances, housing, or relationships.
- Local Partnerships: Professionals from various sectors work together to create a joined-up plan for each family, coordinated through a Family Plan.
- Families First Assessment (FFA): Identifies the specific needs of a family, ensuring support is holistic and person-centred.
- Specialist Help: Where needed, families can access targeted services, such as support for domestic abuse, special educational needs, or substance misuse.
Families First aims to empower families to overcome difficulties and thrive, with a strong emphasis on building resilience, promoting wellbeing, and fostering positive outcomes for children. For more information, families can contact their local Families First hub or visit the Hertfordshire County Council website.
