Safeguarding
How to report a safeguarding concern whilst school is closed:
- Report it to school via email
- Report to First Contact on 03000 267 979
- Report to NSPCC
- Report to Police (101)
How to report a safeguarding concern when we return to school:
- Ring school on 01388 527302 (option 3)
- Report it to school via email
- Report to First Contact on 03000 267 979
- Report to NSPCC
- Report to Police (101)
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mr P Davies
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs M Brown
Wolsingham School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for students, staff and visitors and promoting a climate where students and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.
Our school is committed to promoting the welfare of all children by working in partnership with parents and carers, the Local Authority (LA) and multi-agency partners in early help and child protection, in accordance with the agreed Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and practices.
Our policies and practices are underpinned and shaped by legislation and guidance contained in a variety of documents including:
| The Children Act 1989; Children Act 2004 | The Education Act 2002; Education and Inspections Act 2006 |
| Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 | The Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures http://www.durham-scp.org.uk/) |
| What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused – DfES 2015 | Keeping Children Safe in Education. Statutory guidance for schools and colleges. September 2016 |
| Use of reasonable force. Advice for head teachers, staff and governing bodies. DfES. July 2013 | County Durham Practice Framework: Single Assessment Procedures and Practice Guidance August 2016 |
| Confidential Reporting Code, (Durham Schools Extranet; Documents Library/HR) | A Guide for Professionals on the Sharing of Information. County Durham Safeguarding Adults Inter-Agency Partnership and Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board |
| Operating Procedures for children and young people who either go missing from home or go missing from Care. Durham Constabulary and Durham County Council May 2012 | Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales HM Government 2015 The Prevent Duty Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers Department for Education June 2015 |
Safer Recruitment
The school is committed to the process of being a Safe Organisation. Safe recruitment processes are followed, as stated in Keeping Children Safe in Education (consultation DFE 2013) and all staff recruited to the school are subject to appropriate identity, qualification and health checks.
Responsibilities and Immediate Action
All adults working in school (including visiting staff, volunteers and students on placement) are required to report instances of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect to the Designated Child Protection Officer.
The designated leads at Wolsingham School are:
Mr P Davies: Deputy Headteacher
Miss M Brown: Assistant Headteacher
DSL Support
Mrs K Cleghorn: Assistant SENDCo/Medical Needs Co-ordinator
Universal services and specialist support staff
The following professionals are also available to support individual children in school:
One Point Hub – Barnard Castle
Ing Lane, Shaw Bank, Staindrop Road, Barnard Castle, County Durham.DL12 8TD
Tel:03000 261 120
The school nurse: Elaine Brockley
Emotional Wellbeing Nurse: Sarah Emerson: Monday Bishops Suite
CASH Team: Joanne Dodds: Tuesday Bishops Suite 11:30 – 1pm
Student Support Officer: Mrs B Gaughey
School Counsellor: Ms J Taylor (co-ordinates external counsellors)
Educational Psychologist: TBC
Child Protection Training
Whole-school in-service training on safeguarding issues is organised on an annual basis, with all staff attending at least every three years. All newly recruited staff (teaching and non-teaching) and Governors are appraised of this policy and are encouraged to attend the Child Protection session of the relevant induction programmes. The Designated Child Protection Officer (and her/his Deputy) attends the LA’s dedicated induction course and, thereafter, 2 yearly updates. Designated staff and Governors are encouraged to attend Child Protection training provided by the LA and in school.
Curriculum
The school acknowledges the important role that the curriculum can play in the prevention of abuse and in the preparation of our students for the responsibilities of adult life and citizenship. It is expected that all curriculum co-ordinators will consider the opportunities which exist in their area of responsibility for addressing personal safety issues. As appropriate, the Citizenship curriculum will be used to help students to keep safe and to know how to ask for help if their safety is threatened
Children Missing Education
The Safeguarding team will follow statutory guidance as outlined in “Children Missing Education” September 2016.
If a student is withdrawn from the school, having not reached the normal age of transfer, due to a family move or any other reason, all efforts will be made to identify any new address and the school to which they are being admitted. The school will ensure that their educational records are sent without delay to the new school. If the parent/carer fails to provide this information, a referral will be made to the Education Welfare & Attendance Service in order that they might make further enquiries as per local authority guidance.
Getting External Help
From time to time, we all need a little help from someone, to point us in the right direction, or support us when an unexpected situation arises. It is especially so when we are parents. Wolsingham School has contacts with many local organisations that can support you when you need it.
Please find information on each agency below; to access these organisations you must contact them direct.
