St John Bosco Catholic Primary School

Early Help

Keeping Children Safe

For the best interests of all our children we use the following safeguarding measures:

Cause for Concern: To ensure the safety of all children, the school and its staff have an obligation to pass on any concerns related to child protection issues to the appropriate agencies.

Disclosure of Criminal Background of those with access to children: All new employees to posts which involve access to children are informed that, if they are offered the post, a check on their criminal background will be made.

The procedure applies to all maintained schools, and to all posts as teachers, ancillary staff, caretaking staff. The procedure also applies to external providers who are not employed directly in school, but who have access to children.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is also obtained for all voluntary helpers and members of the governing body.

Safe Collection of Children: For our children’s safety, no child is allowed out of school during the school day unless they are collected by a parent, authorised guardian or by a representative who has been authorised and specific instructions have been received by the school. If, at the end of the school day, no-one has arrived to collect a child, the child will remain with the class teacher or with the school secretary until an authorised person does arrive. For more information see our Late Collection Policy on the Policies and Documents page.

Under NO circumstances will we allow a child to be taken home by another parent without your express permission. Children may only walk home unaccompanied when they are in Year 6 and only when a written request has been received from their parent/guardian.

Online Safety: See our dedicated Online Safety page for help, advice and links relating to keeping children safe online.

Early Help

What is Early Help?

Early Help is taking action early to provide support where problems are emerging for children, young people and their families. Early help support may be provided at any point in a child or young person’s life. The sooner the family receives the support, the sooner they are able to improve their situation and prevent the need for prolonged support.

Early Help is here to find out what is working well for families and what areas they might be worried about; it can help to build on families’ strengths and identify any needs where support might be needed. It is an approach that brings people together from different teams and services who work together with the whole family. The main focus is to improve outcomes for children.

Why would I need Early Help?

The type of things that Early Help can support you with include:

  • Worries about your child’s health development or behaviour
  • You might be worried about how they are doing at school
  • You might have worries about money or housing and how that is affecting you
  • Your child and family may be affected by domestic abuse, drugs, alcohol, ill health or crime.

Early Help can give you the tools to solve challenges or problems you are experiencing with help from others where needed.

Who do I ask for help?

At St. John Bosco Catholic Primary School, you can talk with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs Briscoe, or a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs Grubham, Mrs Hill and Mr Ginder.

You can talk with someone who you’re familiar with – a teacher, health professional or support worker who might be able to help.

You can also contact your local Family Hub who can offer support for all families in Sandwell with children aged 0-19 (or 25 with SEND) and extra support is available for families during pregnancy and in your baby’s first years. Contact Family Hubs at: Family_HubsTeam@sandwell.gov.uk

Local Family Centres

There are currently seven local family hubs around the borough that can offer support to you and your family. They are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. They are located at:

  • Smethwick and Oldbury:
    Smethwick Family Hub, Corbett Street, Smethwick, B66 3PX, 0121 555 6756
    Burnt Tree Children’s Centre, 20-25 Tividale Street, Tipton, DY4 7SD, 0121 557 0740
  • Tipton and Rowley:
    Tipton Children’s Centre, 24 Ridgeway Road, Glebefields, Tipton, DY4 0TB, 0121 552 5150
    Rowley Children’s Centre, Dudley Road, Rowley Regis, B65 8JY, 0121 559 9916
  • Wednesbury and West Bromwich:
    Friar Park Children’s Centre, Dorset Road, Wednesbury, WS10 0JG, 0121 556 5405
    Greets Green Children’s Centre, Off Claypit Lane, West Bromwich, B70 9EZ, 0121 500 4011
    Hillside Children’s Centre, Connor Road, West Bromwich, B71 3DJ, 0121 588 5431

If early help is appropriate, the DSL will take a leading role in liaising with other agencies. The approach and services will be evidence based and focused on what works for children and families and all practitioners who are involved will have a shared vision and common skills to put the family at the heart of deciding and implementing solutions as early as possible.

For further information and the most up to date procedure for Early Help Assessments in Sandwell, please visit: