Updated 19th August 2026

by Mrs M Carvell

On this page, you will find important information about how we work to keep your child/children safe.

You will also find information on how we can help you should you need support, and resources on a range of subjects that we hope will help you at home if needed.

All parents should be aware that the staff at St. John's are required to take reasonable action to ensure the safety of our pupils. In cases where staff believe that a child may be subject to ill-treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse we will follow the procedures established by the Local Authority and The Safeguarding Partnership. 

SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS

Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Mrs Carvell

Deputy Headteacher & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Mrs Heer

Designated Safeguarding Governor:

Miss Grime

Medical & Welfare Assistant:

Mrs Cooper

Designated Teacher for Looked after Children:

Mrs Richardson

SENDCo:

Mrs Clow (September - October 2026 leaving on maternity)

Mrs Heer

Designated Mental Health & Wellbeing Governor:

Mr Turvey

Tel: 01773 822995

Alternatively, if you have a safeguarding concern, you can use the contact form below:

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDING DOCUMENTS

Department for Education Documents

Keeping Children Safe in Education (CLICK HERE)

Working Together to Safeguard Children (CLICK HERE)

Prevent Duty Guidance (CLICK HERE)

Derbyshire Website Links 

Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (CLICK HERE)

Call Derbyshire: Significant, Immediate Safeguarding Concerns (CLICK HERE)

School Documents

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy (CLICK HERE)

Child-Friendly Safeguarding Policy (CLICK HERE)

Key summaries of the policy are highlighted below.

Safeguarding arrangements at St. John’s are underpinned by three key principles:

1. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility: all Staff, Governors and Volunteers should play their full part in keeping children safe. Volunteers and visitors are asked to read a copy of our Visitor and volunteer Handbook which is available from our school office before entering St. John's.

2. That we operate a child-centred approach: a clear understanding of the needs, wishes, views and voices of children.

3. That all Staff, Governors and Volunteers have a clear understanding regarding abuse and neglect in all forms including how to identify, respond and report. This also includes knowledge of the process for allegations against professionals.  Staff, Governors and Volunteers feel confident that they can report all matters of safeguarding children in the school where the information will be dealt with swiftly and securely, following the correct procedures with the safety and well-being of the children in mind at all times.

All staff and governors receive annual level one safeguarding training and have been trained in how to work within the Prevent Agenda.

All staff and governors have read and understood KCSIE (at least part one).

We have a safeguarding notice board in the staffroom and up-to-date legislative safeguarding guidance and documents stored for easy reference for all staff in school and on our server.

DBS checks are carried out on adults that work or volunteer at St. John's, in accordance with national and local advice and legislation.

If you wish to volunteer at St. John's you may need to have a DBS check completed. 

CLICK HERE for information about what a DBS check is and CLICK HERE for a list of the types of identification we will need to see to carry out a check. A confidential list, our single central record, of all volunteers and staff that work or visit St. John's is securely kept in school.

What is Early Help?

At St John’s CofE Primary School & Nursery we offer an "Early Help Offer" which provides support to children and their families when difficulties emerge utilising the

DDSCB Threshold Document. 

This support can include various services aimed at preventing problems from escalating and improving outcomes for children. 

Early Help is a term used to describe the support provided to children, young people, and families when they are experiencing challenges, before problems escalate. It aims to improve outcomes by providing timely and flexible support to prevent problems from worsening. 

Early Help…

• is for children of all ages and not just the very young,
• can be provided at any point of need and;
• can be very effective in supporting a child, young person and/or their family to step down from statutory services as well as preventing the escalation of issues.
• is important because there is clear evidence that it results in better outcomes for children.

Key aspects of Early Help:

Early Intervention:

It focuses on providing support as soon as concerns arise, rather than waiting for problems to become severe.

Family Focus:

Early Help can help children and young people develop their full potential and improve their overall well-being. 

Early intervention can prevent problems from escalating and reduce the need for more intensive support later on. 

Improved outcomes for children and families:

Early Help can help families access resources and support to improve their overall well-being. 

Benefits of Early Help:

Reduced social problems:

Early Help can provide counseling, therapy, or other interventions to help address these issues.

Supporting families who are experiencing financial difficulties or other social challenges:

This might involve providing access to specialist support, such as therapy or specialist teaching.

Supporting children who are experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties:

This could involve providing advice and guidance on child development, parenting skills, or accessing early years education.

Helping children and young people with learning difficulties or disabilities:

The goal is to prevent problems from escalating to more serious issues, which can have a positive impact on the child's well-being and school progress. 

Examples of Early Help interventions:

Supporting families with young children:

Schools work in partnership with other agencies, such as social care or health services, to provide comprehensive support. A Team Around the Family Meeting (TAF) may be used with partner agencies to develop a support plan. 

Preventative Measures:

An Early Help Assessment (EHA) may be used to identify the specific needs of the child and family and to develop a support plan. 

Collaborative Approach:

The support can range from one-on-one emotional support to group activities, parenting advice, or connections with external services. 

Assessment:

The offer recognises that supporting the whole family, not just the child, is crucial for positive outcomes. 

Identify children and their families who would benefit from early help, utilising the DSCB thresholds document:

Daily contact - meet and greet

Communicate with staff regarding concerns

Attendance monitoring daily – first day response and follow up if no contact

Established attendance monitoring including attendance panels

All interventions documented

Online CP monitoring tool

Annual CP training

Constant contact with school health and other professionals

Undertake an assessment of the need for early help using the DSCB early help assessment:

Meet with parents if concerns identified

Signpost to other agencies for support, eg school health, Derbyshire DV&SA service, steps to change, freedom project, talking therapies, Fairplay

Ensure that key staff have updated safeguarding lead training

Record assessment

Involve pastoral officer

Provision of effective early help services:

School based activities – circle time/nurture groups/individualized programmes/Positive Play

Individual work with parents – Family liaison/school health/voluntary agencies/DDV&SA service etc

Individual work with children – as above

In-house programmes

Signpost parents to programmes run by voluntary agencies/CAMHS etc

Analyse impact of intervention

Staffing:

The staff responsible for coordinating the Early Help Offer within the school are the Headteacher, Deputy

Headteacher/SENCO, deputy DSL and Welfare & Medical Assistant

A request for Early Help:

Please call school and ask to speak with Mrs Cooper (Medical & Welfare Assistant) or

Mrs Carvell (Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead) to discuss your needs.

01773 822995

Support for families and early help

(Click on the picture to be directed to the Derbyshire website for further information)

Need support or resources?

The links below may help to support you without the need for school involvement:

Click on each logo below for more information

Support for families and early help

Local Council Services

Benefits Information & Guidance

Housing Support

Further resources and guidance

Click the links below to go to the website:

NSPCC Safeguarding Information Page

NSPCC TALK PANTS - The Underwear Rule

Click on the logo above to be directed to the site

Click on the logo to go to the website

Compass Changing Lives

Mental Health Support Team

We work closely with Compass Changing Lives Mental Health Support Team and since beginning our work with them they have provided 1:1 support, parent support/programmes, assemblies, workshops and staff training focussed on different aspects of mental health and wellbeing. 

Mrs Carvell has link meetings with the team every half term to identify potential areas of need and to discuss referrals to support children and parents.

To find out more or to make a request for support from the team please click on the image below which will take you directly to their service.

Derbyshire School Nursing Team

The Derbyshire School Nursing Team work with schools to support 5 - 19 year olds and their families.

As well as general health and development, they offer advice and support around diet, activity and body image, eating disorders, emotional health and wellbeing, continence and incontinence, behaviour, relationships (including forced marriage), exam stress, dental health, sexual health, self harm, drugs and alcohol and stopping smoking. 

If you feel your child/you may benefit from the support of the school nursing team please contact Mrs Cooper our medical & Welfare assistant or you can click on the image below to go to the service directly.

Build Sound Minds

Are you a parent looking for support?

Do you have a child or are you a family struggling at the moment?

Take a look at what Build Sound Minds can offer and if it meets your needs.

If you feel Build Sound Minds might be able to help use the parent referral form through the link below.

Build Sound Minds & Action for Children Build Sound Minds are able to offer support to children/young people and families who are struggling with the following issues.

Tree Tops Therapy

A referral to Treetops Therapy can be useful, if a child:

• has been through something difficult (like a bereavement, or a change in their home life), which they have found very upsetting
• reacts differently, or gets upset about things that didn't used to bother them before
• often becomes tearful or throws tantrums for no apparent reason
• has psychosomatic illnesses
• has difficulty staying on task or taking part in group activities and discussion
• finds it difficult to conform to classroom rules and routines
• is finding it difficult to form friendships
• has low self-esteem and has been a victim of bullies, or becomes a bully themselves
• is unusually quiet or withdrawn
• is aggressive and disruptive
• is excessively attention-seeking, through either negative behaviour or clinginess. 

The Household Support Fund and Activity Programme

Fix Your Bike Voucher Scheme - no longer available