SHELTER

Safeguarding

Safeguarding

  • Safeguarding Information

The safeguarding of our pupils as our main priority. We believe that we all have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn and that we all have the responsibility to make this happen.
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 will 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 will meet their responsibility and report any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Areas of Safeguarding

We have a duty to ensure that we safeguard children across wide and varied aspects of need. These are set out in the government publication; Keeping Children Safe in Education, and are detailed as:

Abuse

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Neglect

 

Specific Safeguarding Issues:

  • Child missing from education, home or care
  • Child sexual exploitation (CSE)
  • Bullying including cyberbullying
  • Domestic violence
  • Drugs
  • Fabricated or induced illness
  • Faith abuse
  • Female genital mutilation (FGM)
  • Forced marriage
  • Gangs and youth violence
  • Gender-based violence/violence against women and girls (VAWG)
  • Mental health
  • Private fostering
  • Preventing radicalisation
  • Sexting
  • Teenage relationship abuse
  • Trafficking

Members of Staff Responsible

We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe, however the DSL is Mrs Gilbert, Mrs Duffy (Deputy DSL)
Safer Recruitment

We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. At least one senior member of staff is qualified in Safer Recruitment Procedures and oversees all recruitment processes.
 Training

  • Staff training is continual throughout the year about child protection so that all staff are aware of the policies and procedures. Training is delivered via a variety of means: face to face, in and out of school (including the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board specialist courses), online refreshers and information giving, document sharing and on-going professional dialogues during staff meetings.
  • Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children and their concerns are discussed and handled appropriately.

Child Protection with Safeguarding Policy

We expect all staff to have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and be able to implement the child protection policy and procedure appropriately. Policies are in line with current guidance and procedures. A copy of the policy is available here 

Staff are expected to respond appropriately to:

  • significant changes in child’s behaviour;
  • deterioration a child’s general well-being;
  • unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
  • signs of neglect;
  • comments children make which give cause for concern.

 

Information Sharing

We have an obligation to obtain necessary information from parents/carers 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.

 

Parents and carers must tell us of any changes to their 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

Since 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 you. The procedures we have to follow have been laid down in accordance with the local authority child protection procedures, which are included as part of our policy.
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. A copy is detailed on our Policies page (Navigate). This enables children, staff and carers to report anything they feel is of concern.

Concerns should be raised in the following order.

  1. To a member of the senior leadership team. 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.

If you have a safeguarding concern, then this should be brought to the attention of Mrs Gilbert or Mrs Duffy in the first instance.
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 Mrs Gilbert, who will be happy to discuss matters further with you.

 

 Emergency: If a child is in immediate danger or left alone, you should contact the police or call an ambulance on 999.

 

You can report abuse and neglect directly to children services on 01670 536 400

 Non emergency Onecall: 01670 536400

 

JCSC are now working with Northumbria police on Operation Encompass Click the button for more details