At Holm Cultram Abbey CE Primary School, we aim to educate all our children in an environment where learning, respect and the community are promoted. 

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.

Safeguarding means:

• protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
• preventing harm to children’s health or development
• ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
• taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.

We believe that Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and as such our school aims to create an environment where every pupil feels safe and can reach their potential.  We recognise the importance of ensuring our pupils know how to seek support, feel that they will be listened to and know that appropriate action will taken.

Safeguarding is talked about throughout the curriculum in school and at many points during the week.  It might be in lessons, such as computing or PSE.  It might feature in Collective Worship or during small group or 1:1 conversations with children.  It is a high priority within school, and we are always looking for opportunities to speak with children about it.

At Holm Cultram Abbey CE Primary School, we follow the guidance and procedures set down by Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership. We ensure that all staff are fully trained to recognise signs of abuse and to know what steps to take if they are concerned. 

We recognise that we have an explicit duty to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children from abuse and to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements within our school to identify, assess and support those children who are suffering harm.

We work closely with Cumbria Children's Services who can offer families with the support they require. They will work with schools to improve outcomes for our children and their families.

We also work along side a number of other agencies who can support families when they are experiencing difficulties and are seeking support.

If you have any concerns about your child or family situation, or about the welfare of another, talking helps.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead at HCA is:

Mrs. Andrea Worthington.  Mrs. Chrisy Bell, Miss. Charlotte Ashburn, Miss. Pattinson and Mrs. Laura Watson are Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads. 

We also have a nominated Governor, Mrs. Sheila Paisley,  who works within the safeguarding team to ensure our school meets the statutory requirements.