Safeguarding and Child Protection
"My God is my protection and with him I am safe." Psalm 18
Our Safeguarding Policy has been updated to meet the requirements of the latest relevant legislation:
The Department for Education’s (DFE’s) statutory guidance for schools and colleges, ‘Keeping Children Safe’, updated September 2023 and has been reviewed in light of the amendment in the guidance to reflect Covid-19.
Aims and Objectives
St Edmund's Catholic School wishes to ensure that it maintains the highest possible standards to meet its social, moral and legal responsibilities to protect and safeguard the welfare of pupils in the school.
While it is impossible to ensure that a child or young person would never come to any harm, the adoption of the Safeguarding Policy (and associated guidelines), aims to facilitate the management of the risk associated with the duty to safeguard children. The school aims to work co-operatively with external agencies in particular the Local Safeguarding Children Board and takes account of guidance issued by the DFE. St Edmund's Catholic School supports the government agenda in promoting fundamental British values and acknowledges the links between safeguarding requirements, culture and the upholding the rule of law. Appreciation by all stakeholders of this, is essential for children's well being and safety.
St Edmund's Catholic School Safeguarding Arrangements
The school's Designated Safeguarding Lead for pupils are:
KS4: Mrs M Howorth, Assistant Headteacher.
Email: mhoworth@saintedmunds.org.uk
Number: 023 92 823766 (Ext: 204)
KS3: Ms J Radosavljevic
Email: Jovana.Radosavljevic@saintedmunds.org.uk
Number: 023 92 823766 (ext 253)
The Designated Safeguarding Leads are responsible for:
Implementing and promoting the school's Safeguarding Policy.
Ensuring that the Policy is monitored and reviewed in accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children.
Acting as the main contact in the school for the protection of children.
Ensuring that staff are provided with information, advice and training on the protection of children.
Providing adequate information on the school's Safeguarding Policy as part of the induction process for any new members of staff.
Establishing and maintaining contacts with the local children's Social Care services, departments and Police.
Maintaining confidential records.
Heads of Learning also liaise closely with outside agencies and families as well as cascading safeguarding information internally as appropriate.
A Link Governor for Safeguarding meets regularly with the Designated Safeguarding Leads for pupils (This Governor is Chris Whitfield along with our Associate Member, Helena Clarke).
The Governing Body are the accountable body for ensuring the safety of the school and reviews its policies/procedures annually.
Safeguarding Pupils/Students who are Vulnerable to Extremism
Since 2010 when the Government published the Prevent Strategy, there has been an awareness of the speciifc need to safeguard children, young people and families from violent extremism. There have been several occasions both locally and nationally in which extremist groups have attempted to radicalise vulnerable children and young people to hold extreme views including views justifying political, religious, sexist or racist violence, or to steer them into a rigid and narrow ideology that is intolerant of diversity and leaves them vulnerable to future radicalisation.
The current threat from terrorism in the United Kingdom may include the exploitation of vulnerable people, to involve them in terrorism or in activity in support of terrorism. The normalisation of extreme views may also make children and young people vulnerable to future manipulation and exploitation. St Edmund's Catholic School is clear that this exploitation and radicalisation should be viewed as a safeguarding concern.
The Prevent Duty:
Departmental Advice for Schools and Childcare Providers, June 2023
Expectations of all Staff at St Edmund's Catholic School:
Be familiar with the school's Safeguarding Policy.
Be subject to Safer Recruitment processes and checks, whether they are new staff, supply staff, contractors, volunteers etc.
Be involved in the implementation of individual education programmes, integrated support plans, child in need plans and interagency child protection plans.
Be alert to signs and indicators of possible abuse.
Record concerns and give the record to the designated DOSC.
Deal with a disclosure of abuse from a child in line with the staff guidance on how to report this and to provide a written account as soon as possible.
All staff receive regular training and key staff undertake the level two and three training as agreed by the Governing Body.
Expectations of all Visitors to St Edmund's Catholic School:
All visitors must report to the reception desk on arrival and the receptionist will sign the visitor in and out (with arrival and departure times recorded) in the visitors' book.
In light of Covid-19 all visitors must wear a visitor's sticker at all times whilst on site. Contractors will wear a red wristband.
All visitors who have been DBS checked will be able to go around the school to their designated area unsupervised.
All visitors non-DBS checked will be escorted around the school at all times.
It is the school's policy that volunteers are not allowed onto the site unaccompanied unless they are taking part in organised activities.
The reception desk will verify the ID of all visitors and confirm the visit with the relevant staff member.
Anti-Bullying & Online Safety Resources
Please click here to visit our anti-bullying & online safety resources.
