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Safeguarding our Children
Ashgrove Primary has a dedicated team of adults who work in our school to help ensure that all our pupils are Safeguarded. Our Safeguarding Team is made up of members of Staff, Governors and the Principal.
All staff and Governors believe that our school should provide a caring, positive, safe and stimulating environment which promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual child. Within this partnership the school will be sensitive and supportive in meeting its safeguarding duties.
Designated Teacher for Child Protection

Mrs Valerie Luney is the Designated Teacher for Child Protection. He has received specific training in how to deal sensitively and effectively with Safeguarding matters. Mrs Luney should be your first point of contact if you have any Child Protection/Safeguarding concerns.
Mrs Luney's role is to...
- To provide training to all school staff including support staff
- To be available to discuss the child protection concerns of any member of staff
- To take responsibility for record keeping of all Child Protection concerns
- To make referrals to Social Services or PSNI Public Protection Unit
- To liaise with Education Authority (formerly NEELB) Designated Officers for Child Protection
- To take lead responsibility for the development and updating of the school’s Safeguarding Policy
- To ensure parents receive a copy of the child protection policy every year which alerts them to the fact that referrals may be made and the role of the school in this
- To promote a child protection ethos in the school
- To write reports to the Board of Governors regarding Safeguarding
- To maintain all records pertaining to child protection in a secure location (accessed only by The Safeguarding Team as appropriate)
Designated Governor for Child Protection

Mr Billy Edwards is the Designated Governor for Child Protection/safeguardinhg. Mr Edwards worked in a school and has much experience in dealing effectively with Safeguarding matters. The Board of Governors closely monitor the effectiveness of the Safeguarding Policy.
Children's Commissioner, Life in Likes Report
Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection

Mrs Carberry is the Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection. All Safeguarding concerns should be brought to her in the event that Mrs Luney is unavailable.
Mrs Carberry's role is to support the work of the Designated Teacher for Child Protection.
Principal

Mr Robert Smith is kept fully informed of all Child Protection/Safeguarding matters in school. He helps to liaise with members of staff and outside agencies as required.
ETI 2016
Ashgrove Primary School, Ashgrove Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT36 6LJ | T: 028 9084 8734 E: info@ashgroveps.newtownabbey.ni.sch.uk