Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
If you have a concern that a child is in danger or that their well being is being damaged, then please do not hesitate and report it. You can either report it directly to Social Services by telephoning Cheshire East Social Services on 0300 123 5012, or report your concerns to the school. Mr Cox ( Head Teacher) is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and his Deputy Safeguarding Leads are Mr Griffiths and Mrs Hayes. You could inform any teacher at the school or support staff and they will report it through. If you have any doubt, please report it as it may be an important piece of information in a bigger picture.
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
Safeguarding means:
- protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
- preventing harm to children’s health or development
- ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
- taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.
Safeguarding and The Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to teach children about keeping safe. This will include topics such as Road Safety, Fire Safety, Keeping Safe on Line, Recognising Signs of Abuse, Healthy Relationships and Anti Bullying. This will be taught through small groups, whole classes and through assemblies. It may well be supported by external agencies such as the NSPCC, The Police and Fire Brigade .
Safeguarding and Recruitment of Staff, Governors and Volunteers
When recruiting staff, the school follows the guidance outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Safer recruitment practice includes completing an application form, taking up references, checking any gaps in employment and obtaining an appropriate DBS check. Some roles or individuals may require further checks.
Governors and volunteers will be risk assessed. If their role requires working with children regularly or without close supervision from a member of staff, then a DBS check will be completed.
Safeguarding and Staff Training
All staff are required to have read and understood Keeping Children Safe in Education - Part 1. This outlines their responsibility in reporting concerns of child abuse. Staff are all required to do a minimum of Basic Safeguarding Training at least every 3 Years. At The Dingle, this is supplemented with at least annual updates and scenarios to work through.
Designated Safeguarding Leads are required to do further training and attend termly updates. The school must also have someone trained in safer recruitment. Safeguarding is an agenda item at every staff meeting.
Safeguarding and Policy and Procedures.
As well as careful recruitment, the school has a number of policies designed to safeguard our pupils. These include policies, such as Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Use of Mobile Phones, as examples. Risk assessments will be completed for trips, events and some aspects of the curriculum. The school has regular fire drills, and school rules which are enforced to ensure the safety and well being of all our pupils.