safeguarding policy
2007
Introduction
Westbury School fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect children and support pupils in school. The aim of the policy is to safeguard and promote our pupils’ welfare, safety and health by fostering an honest, open, caring and supportive climate. The pupils’ welfare is of paramount importance.
There are four main elements to this Policy:
- Prevention (eg positive school atmosphere, teaching and pastoral support to pupils;
- Protection (by following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Child Protection concerns;
- Support (to pupil who may have been abused;
- Working with parents (to ensure appropriate communications and actions are undertaken).
This policy applies to all staff, governors and visitors to the school.
Where the Governing body provides services or activities directly under the supervision or management of school staff, the school’s arrangements for child protection will apply. Where services or activities are provided separately by another body, the Governing Body should seek assurance that the body concerned has appropriate policies and procedures in place to safeguard and protect children and there are arrangements to liaise with the school on these matters where appropriate.
School Commitment
The school adopts an open and accepting attitude towards children as part of its responsibility for pastoral care. Staff hope that children and parents will feel free to talk about any concerns and will see school as a safe place when there are difficulties. Children’s worries and fears will be taken seriously and children are encouraged to seek help from members of staff.
Our school will therefore:
- Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to;
- Ensure that children know that there are adults in the school whom they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty;
- Include in the curriculum activities and opportunities which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse, and which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life, particularly with regard to childcare and parenting skills;
- Ensure every effort is made to establish effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies;
- Operate safe recruitment procedures and make sure that all appropriate checks are carried out on new staff and volunteers who will work with children, including Criminal Record Bureau and List 99 checks.
Roles and Responsibilities
All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. There are, however, key people within schools and the LA who have specific responsibilities. The names of those carrying these responsibilities for the current year are listed on the cover sheet of this document. The Designated colleagues are Mr J Dyson and Mr A Clark .
The role of the Designated Person (Safeguarding) includes:
Referrals
- Refer cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the relevant investigating agencies;
- Act as a source of support, advice and expertise within the educational establishment when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies;
- Liaise with Head Teacher (where role is not carried out by the head Teacher) to inform him of any issues and ongoing investigations and ensure there is always cover for this role.
Training
- To recognise how to identify signs of abuse and when it is appropriate to make a referral;
- Have a working knowledge of how the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board operate, the conduct of a child protection case conference, and be able to attend and contribute to these effectively when required to do so;
- Ensure each member of staff has access to and understands the school’s safeguarding policy especially new or part-time staff who may work with different educational establishments;
- Ensure all staff have induction training covering safeguarding issues and are able to recognise and report any concerns immediately they arise;
- Be able to keep detailed, accurate and secure written records of referrals/concerns;
- Obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses at least every two years.
Raising Awareness
- Ensure the establishment’s safeguarding policy is updated and reviewed annually, and work with the governing body regarding this;
- Ensure parents see copies of the safeguarding policy which alerts them to the fact that referrals may be made and the role of the establishment in this to avoid conflict later;
- Where children leave the establishment, ensure their child protection file is copied for new establishment as soon as possible, but transferred separately from main pupil file.
