At Our Lady Star of the Sea RCVA Primary School, we regard safeguarding of children as our main priority. We therefore ensure that our school is a safe and caring community where children are able to work in a happy and stimulating learning environment. We feel that we all have the responsibility to ensure that this happens.
We will ensure that:
- The welfare of the child remains paramount.
- All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/ or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
- All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report concerns to the designated leads for Safeguarding: Miss Jones and Mrs Taylor
Areas of Safeguarding
Our safeguarding policies cover all areas of school life and include:
- Staff & Visitors- ensuring they are vetted, informed & trained.
- Children’s Behaviour- promoting safer & happier behaviours & lifestyles.
- Parents & Carers- promoting links & supporting families.
- Premises -keeping them safe, stimulating & fit for purpose.
- Curriculum -providing positive, life affirming learning experiences.
- Outside School- ensuring safer activities and environments outside school.
Members of Staff Responsible
We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe, however the Designated Leads for Safeguarding are Miss Jones and Mrs Taylor.
Safer Recruitment
The Executive Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, Chair of Governors and personnel committee members regularly attend ‘Safer Recruitment’ training and ensure that all necessary guidelines and procedures are followed throughout any recruitment process.
We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is thoroughly vetted – this includes DBS enhanced checks and disclosure by association declarations.
Keeping our children safe is essential.
Ongoing checks and ‘whistle-blowing’ are in place and in line with County policy.
Staff Training
- All staff and Child Protection link governors are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow when or if issues arise. This training is regularly reviewed and updated. Training is provided every 2 years. (All staff must attend.)
- Level 2 Safeguarding and CP training is provided on a regular basis to the designated teacher/s for Child Protection. The designated leads for CP update their training every two years.
- Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children – CP policy and guidelines must be followed.
- All Staff & Volunteers are given a copy of ‘Behaviour Guidelines for Staff & Volunteers’ and are directed to the document ‘KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN EDUCATION 2015’.
- Mobile phones and social network policies are in place – staff must adhere to these policies.
- Staff and governors are encouraged to complete PREVENT on-line training – the designated teachers and link governor must complete this training.
Child Protection with Safeguarding Policy
All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and are able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately. Policies are in line with current guidance and procedures.
Staff are able to respond appropriately to any:
- significant changes in children’s behaviour;
- deterioration in their general well-being;
- unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
- signs of neglect;
- comments children make which give cause for concern.
All staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality. Staff must report concerns to the designated teacher/s for Safeguarding – Miss Jones or Mrs Taylor.
Information Sharing
We have an obligation to obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to school, including:
- emergency contact numbers;
- the child’s special dietary requirements, preferences or food allergies the child may have;
- the child’s special health requirements;
- information about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child.
Written parental permission is requested, at the time of the child’s admission to the school, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future.
PARENTS & CARERS MUST TELL US OF ANY CHANGES TO THESE DETAILS.
We take confidentiality very seriously. Any information which we hold is treated as confidential and shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis.
Links with External Agencies
As our first concern must be the well-being of your child, there may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies before we contact parents/carers. The procedures we have to follow have been laid down in accordance with the local authority child protection procedures.
We are fortunate to be supported by a range of external agencies which can be called upon to support the work we do in school. These include School Nurse, Health Practitioners, Educational Psychology, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Social Services and Specialists in supporting Special Educational Needs.
Reporting Concerns or Complaints
Further to the above procedures, we have in place a concerns and complaints policy. This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern.
Concerns should be raised in the following order.
1. To the Class Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
2. To the Head Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
3. To the Chair of Governors. Then, if there is no resolution;
4. To the Local Authority.
Contact details are available from the school office.
Review of Policy and Practice
In order to ensure that best practice is maintained, our policies are reviewed regularly to incorporate the latest statutory guidance.
If you would like more information on safeguarding, please contact the school for all our policies or view our policies section on our website where you will find all our Child Protection within the Safeguarding Policy and other safeguarding policies.
