Safeguarding is...
- Protecting children from maltreatment;
- Preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development;
- Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Safeguarding statement ~ Child Protection
The welfare of children is of paramount importance and it is the responsibility of the school to safeguard all pupils. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We will act quickly and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice. Through their day-to-day contact with pupils and direct work with families, education staff have a crucial role to play in noticing indicators of possible abuse or neglect. Parents should be aware, therefore, that where it appears to a member of staff that a child may have been abused, the school is required, as part of local child protection procedures, to report their concerns to Social Care Direct immediately. The Headteacher, Mr. Michael Walker, is the Designated Safeguarding Lead responsible for child protection and there are 3 Deputy DSLs within the safeguarding team - Mrs Tordoff, Mrs McConnell and Mrs Albaya. Mrs Rebecca Fisher, is the designated governor responsible for child protection.
Safeguarding statement ~ Safe recruitment and selection of staff.
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, therefore all convictions must be declared. Providing false information is an offence. Appointed staff, governors, regular volunteers and trainees have identity, qualification and criminal records bureau checks and have been successfully cleared to work with children.
E-safeguarding
The internet is an essential element in 21st century life for education, business and social interaction and the school has a duty to provide children and young people with quality access as part of their learning experience. It is the duty of the school to ensure that every child and young person in its care is safe. E-Safeguarding includes all aspects of technologies and electronic communications including tablets and mobile phones.
‘A journey of a thousand sites begins with a single click.’ Anon
Prevent strategy
What is the Prevent strategy?
Prevent is a government strategy which aims to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism or extremist causes.
How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?
All schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism. This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views.
Our designated prevent lead in school is our Headteacher, Mr. Michael Walker.
What do we do in school?
Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive and happy members of society. In school we make sure we:
- Provide a safe place for pupils to discuss issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.
- Teach a broad and balanced, local curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.
- Through our Christian Values and PSHE curriculum we teach children about the importance of making the right choices, being tolerant of others, valuing other's views and the need to respect similarities and differences.
- Challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes.
- Develop a culture of dignity and respect.
- Teach children about how they can keep themselves safe.
- Use filters on the internet to make sure children can’t access unsuitable material, and by vetting visitors who come into school to work with pupils.
We have three very simple school rules, which are referred to as our school rights. It is everyone's responsibility in the school to keep these rights.
- Everyone has the right to be treated with respect.
- Everyone has the right to learn.
- Everyone has the right to feel and be safe.
If you would like further information about the prevent duty please click on the link below:
DfE Guidance – The Prevent Duty
Young People's Safeguarding Charter
Below is an attachment that includes the Young People of Wakefield's Safeguarding Charter. Children and Young People in Wakefield want to feel safe, as a result they have created their Safeguarding Charter which explains what young people expect of the adults in their community to enable them to feel safe and ensure they feel well cared for.
Designated Safeguarding Lead is the Headteacher Mr Michael Walker.
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs Sarah McConnell, Mrs Jayne Albaya and Mrs Katie Tordoff.
Designated Looked After Child teacher is Mrs Sarah McConnell.
Helplines:
Social Care Direct (Wakefield) - 03458503503
WDDAS (Domestic Abuse) - 0800 915 1561
Young Minds (Mental Health) National Parent Helpline - 0808 802 5544
Samaritans - 116 123 or text 07725 909090
Childline - 0800 1111
The Papyrus Helpline (Suicide Prevention) - 0800684141 or text 07786 209697
CAMHS: Children’s Adolescent Mental Health Service - Single point of access for advice and support 01924 304 172
Pontefract Foodbank is available to access and to contribute donations - [email protected](link sends e-mail) - 07935530583
As always, if you need any support, please give us a call.