Safeguarding

'Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

• protecting children from maltreatment;
• preventing impairment of children's 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.'

(Taken from ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ 2015, HM Government)

At St. Aldhelm’s Church Primary School we fully recognise our roles and responsibilities for child protection. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe in our school. We use consistent, fair and thorough recruitment and selection procedures that aim to deter, reject or identify people who might abuse children and young people and to ensure that those recruited are suitable to work with them. Our Safeguarding policies apply to all staff, governors and volunteers working in our school. They follow statutory guidance issued by HM Government: 'Working Together to Safeguard Children', (July 2018); Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2022); The Prevent Duty (July 2015).

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Amanda Phillips The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are is Mr Chris Chorley and Mrs Claire Newman. Our Safeguarding Governor is Mr Adam Underwood.

School Safeguarding Procedures

• 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. 
• 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 Lead will ensure this happens. Confidentiality is crucial.

• The member of staff will write an accurate record (on a numbered Welfare Concern Sheet obtained from the office) of what has occurred or been noticed and pass a signed and dated copy, to the Designated Lead. These records will be filed into a locked drawer in the School office. Information from notes may be passed onto social services and other agencies as required.
• If the Designated Lead for child protection 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. 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.