All our staff are appropriately trained and all have current Enhanced DBS checks. We follow DfEs guidelines for 'Safer Recruitment' when employing new staff.
Any parents or helpers must also be DBS checked before helping in class, and all tradespeople such as who may need to work in the School, are checked and never unsupervised.
We have a system of locks on our doors so that we know children are completely safe inside our building and 'strangers' are not able to enter.
Information on safeguarding can be found within the Safeguarding Policy on the main Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership website:
https://www.midsomernortonschoolspartnership.com/trust-policies.htm
Please see other key statutory guidance below:
Children are encouraged to share concerns or worries with their parents/carers and know who they can talk to in school if they need to.
If a member of staff has a concern that a child has been mistreated, either physically, emotionally, sexually or by neglect, they must report the matter immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Jamie Thomson).
The member of staff will keep the matter confidential to as few people as need to know. If there is anyone who needs to be informed, the designated teacher will ensure this happens. Confidentiality is crucial.
The member of staff will make an accurate record of what has occurred or been noticed on our Child Protection Online Monitoring and Safeguarding system (MyConcern), which automatically alerts the DSL team (all the School Leadership Team).
If the Designated Safeguarding Lead decides to make a referral to Social Care or is instructed by Social Care to make a referral, this will be discussed with the family and we will seek to gain agreement. This will be done as long as such discussion and agreement seeking will not place a child at increased risk of significant harm. We will always contact the Social Care Team for advice if we are unsure about the best way to proceed with any concerns.
The Social Care Department and the Police have a duty to investigate cases of suspected abuse. As a school we have a duty to co-operate with any such investigation. This might involve providing information, monitoring the child, or attending a Team Around the Child Meeting or Child Protection Conference.
St.Mary’s safeguarding policy provides clear direction to all school stakeholders about expected practice in dealing with safeguarding issues. It makes explicit the school’s commitment to the development of good practice and effective procedures, ensuring that safeguarding concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in a way that supports and protects the needs of the child.
There are three main aims to our Safeguarding Policy:
Prevention: by creating a positive school atmosphere and providing high quality teaching and pastoral support to pupils;
Protection: by following agreed procedures and ensuring staff are appropriately recruited, trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Safeguarding concerns;
Support: by providing support for pupils and school staff and for children who may have been or are being abused.
All those working in education can contribute to the safeguarding and protection of the welfare of a child in need.
According to the DfE, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
protecting children from maltreatment;
preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility at St.Mary’s.
Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfill this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
This policy applies to all who come into contact with children at St.Mary’s including:
Teachers
Teaching assistants
Administrative assistants
Students
Wrap Around Care assistants
Midday supervisors/Catering team
Caretaking and Cleaning team
Visitors/volunteers
Adult helpers
Governors
If in doubt, anyone with concerns should seek advice from our Safeguarding team ('Our Safeguarding Team')
Worried a child may be at risk?
But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe?
If you have any concerns about online safety, please talk to your class teacher, or make an appointment to see a member of SLT.
Another great resource for keeping children safe online is The UK Safer Internet Centre which has great links discussing using social media, and computer games.
The NSPCC online safety website has lots of helpful advice on managing online safety in your family.
T - Talk about staying safe online
E - Explore their online world together
A - Agree rules, what's ok and what's not
M - Manage your family's settings and controls
Worried that a child may at risk of online abuse?