Safeguarding

• Prevention

  All staff will endeavour to ensure that all children using the setting do so safely and appropriately, and are treated with respect and understanding. St. Mary’s RC First and St. Joseph’s RC Middle will organise its routines and activities for children with a preventative, safeguarding purpose in mind.

  • All staff will undergo an enhanced DBS check.
  • It is important to note that a person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with those groups.
  • An organisation, which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups, will also be breaking the law.
  • Our schools works with children and if we dismiss a member of staff or volunteer because they have harmed a child or we would have done so if they had not left we must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
• Protect
  • St. Mary’s RC First and St. Joseph’s RC Middle will take all reasonable steps to safeguard and protect the rights, health and well-being of all children who are in our care.
  • Both of our schools have a Child Protection Policy.
• Support
  • Child Protection training is mandatory for all staff and will be part of their induction programme.
  • The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) is Mr. Gavin. R. Simpson (Executive Assistant Headteacher) who will ensure that the staffs’ knowledge, understanding and practice of safeguarding children is current and up to date at all times. Where gaps are identified support and training will be mandatory.
  • We recognise that child protection issues can be emotive and the designated safeguarding lead will offer support to any member of staff affected by this policy, whether directly or indirectly.
  • Our schools fully recognise their responsibilities for child protection. We intend to create an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to.

• Use of Mobile Phones and Cameras
  • It is prohibited for any staff member to use their mobile phones to take pictures of the children attending St. Mary’s RC First and St. Joseph’s RC Middle.
  • Written consent will be gained by all parents/carers before any photographs are taken.
• Confidentiality

  Child protection concerns are kept confidential and only shared with people on a “need to know” basis.

• Parental Partnership

  Parents must notify the school regarding any concerns they may have about their child and any accidents, incidents or injuries affecting the child, which will be recorded.

Child Protection is about us all working together for the well-being of all children

• Physical Abuse

  Any sign of a mark or an injury to a child will be discuss with the parent and recorded when they arrive, should there be any queries or concerns regarding the injury we will notify the Local Authority’s Initial Response Team.

• Emotional Abuse

  If we feel that there is an extreme adverse effect of behaviour or emotional development, caused by severe ill-treated or rejection, we will discuss this with the parents and this will be recorded. Should the abuse be persistent or we have any queries or concerns, we will notify the Local Authority’s Initial Response Team.

• Sexual Abuse

  If we witness occasions where a child may indicate sexual activity through words, play, drawing or inappropriate knowledge of adult sexual behaviour we will refer the matter to the Local Authority’s Initial Response Team.

• Neglect
  • If we have good reason to suspect there has been persistent or wilful neglect of a child (i.e. exposure to any kind of danger, including cold and starvation) which results in serious impairment of the child’s health or development, including failure to thrive, we will discuss our concerns with the parent and record the outcome.
  • Should there be any queries or concerns, we will notify the Local Authority’s Initial Response Team.