Safeguarding

At St John’s Meads CEP, we believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and that everyone has the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and work in collaboration with other agencies.

If you are concerned about a child’s welfare, please speak to a member of our Safeguarding Team.

SAFEGUARDING POSTER – SJM

 

Our Assurance

  • The welfare of children remains our top priority.
  • All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
  • All disclosures are treated seriously; people are listened to, reassured and supported.
  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
  • All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report concerns to the Safeguarding Team.

Our Policies

Please see Policies page of the website for policies that cover:

  • Staff and Visitors – ensuring they are vetted, informed & trained.
  • Children’s Behaviour – promoting safe and healthy behaviours and lifestyles.
  • Parents and Carers – promoting links and supporting families.
  • Premises – ensuring an environment which is safe, pleasant and fit for purpose.
  • Curriculum – providing positive and empowering learning experiences.
In addition to the above, you can find a copy of the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education here.

Our Training

Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the relevant procedures to follow. Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children. Among other aspects, staff are attentive to significant changes in children’s behaviour, deterioration in their general wellbeing, unexplained marks or signs of possible abuse, signs of neglect and comments that children make which give cause for concern. All staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality. All staff and volunteers are directed to safeguarding, child protection and behaviour policies and to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.

Our Partnerships

  • Families: we obtain necessary information from families through the process of school admission, including contact details, dietary and medical requirements, and legal arrangements. Families must tell us of any changes to these details. We work together with families to support wherever we can.
  • External safeguarding agencies: there may be occasions when we have to consult other agencies (such as the police, SPoA or Prevent) before contacting families, but we will always inform families wherever possible.
  • Other external agencies: such as School Nurse, Health Practitioners, Educational Psychology, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Behaviour Support, Social Services and specialists in supporting children with additional needs.
  • Operation Encompass: The Police Constabulary works with all East Sussex schools to inform them prior to 9am on the next school day, when a child or young person has been exposed to or involved in any domestic incident. The DSL receives this information and uses it to make decisions regarding supporting and safeguarding children and young people. operationencompass.org

Our Accountability

We have complaints policy which enables all stakeholders to report concerns. These should be raised in the following order (all contact details above)

  1. To the Class Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
  2. To the Deputy or Assistant Head and then Head Teacher. Then, if there is no resolution;
  3. To the Chair of Governors. Then, if there is no resolution;
  4. To the DCAT Safeguarding Team. Then, if there is no resolution;
  5. To the Local Authority.

Our Trust

The Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust and all its Local Governing Bodies take seriously their responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; and to work together with to ensure arrangements within our schools identify, assess and support those children and young people who are suffering harm. DCAT expect all staff, employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

All DCAT schools share the same module Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, which is tailored for each setting and can be found on the individual school’s website.  All DCAT schools report safeguarding concerns through either MyConcern. Strategic overview and management of safeguarding is led by the Trust Safeguarding Lead with reports shared at Trustee level. More information can be found here: Safeguarding – Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust (dcat.academy)

Useful Links

East Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership

Single Point of Advice (SPoA)

NSPCC

The NSPCC provide therapeutic services to help children move on from abuse, as well as supporting parents and families in caring for their children. We help professionals make the best decisions for children and young people, and support communities to help prevent abuse from happening in the first place. You can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.

For Whistleblowing purposes around adults, if you do not feel that the Safeguarding Team has taken your concerns onboard, or you do not feel able to raise them with us, then you can contact NSPCC directly on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

NSPCC Online Safety Hub

Childline

Childline is a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, we’re here for you online, on the phone, anytime by calling 0800 1111 or use the links below.

Childline – children’s site:

CEOP

CEOP is a part of the National Crime Agency and is dedicated to tackling the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and young people. CEOP helps children and young people under the age of 18 who have been forced or manipulated into taking part, or are being pressured to take part, in sexual activity both online and offline. The CEOP Safety Centre offers information and advice for children and young people, parents and carers and professionals. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the CEOP button.

Educate Against Hate

Parenting Smart

Education Support

The National Association of People Abused in Childhood

Addressing misogyny, toxic masculinity and social media influence

National Female Genital Mutilation Centre