Safeguarding

Rationale:

Light Oaks Junior School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all members of its community to share this commitment. The prime concern at all times must be the interests and safety of the pupil(s).

All staff (including ancillary, supply staff and volunteers) are aware of our Policy and we hold regular training to remind staff of the procedures to follow. Important safeguarding policies are available on the school website.

We follow the procedures and protocols suggested by the Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership.

There are three Designated Child Protection Persons (DCPs), who work closely together as the Safeguarding Team. These are:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Zandra Wilkinson (Headteacher)
• Deputy DSL: Claire Walker (Deputy Head and Inclusion Lead)
• Trained DSLs: Nick Ryan and Lucy Waddington (Assistant Heads)

Recruitment:

The school follows the safer recruitment procedures recommended by Salford LA. Key staff and Governors who are involved in recruitment have all completed the Safer Recruitment Training Course. All relevant checks are completed before employment can be confirmed and these are monitored by the Human Resources Department.

All staff receive safeguarding training every 18 months, through the Salford Safeguarding Children Parnership and new staff are booked onto the next available course after they have been employed.

On induction, all members of staff are given training on school Safeguarding procedures and expectations.

School Procedures:

Anyone worried about a young person’s welfare, is required to record their concerns as soon as possible the same day. Staff know that even relatively minor concerns could indicate problems, and therefore we expect information to be passed to a DSL promptly in order for them to add to the ‘bigger picture’. All notes from home are also kept on file.

Any concerns identified by staff, or information given to us, are logged using the online safeguarding reporting software (CPOMS). These can be:

• Staff observation
• Information provided by parents/carers (please note - we log any information given but we do not judge the veracity of any information given as this is beyond our remit) 
• Information provided by children
• Information provided by outside agencies

The DSLs discuss safeguarding issues on a regular basis; all safeguarding concerns are discussed together as and when necessary. This ensures continuity and clarity. All DSLs are alerted to any CPOMs entry by email.

If further action is deemed necessary, this is followed up as soon as is practicable. For example:

• Further investigation as appropriate by the DSL, class teacher or member of SLT
• Contact with the parent by the DSL, class teacher or member of SLT to inform or clarify information received
• Monitoring by a named member of staff
• Advice sought from an outside agency by the DSL
• Referral to safeguarding Team (after advice has been sought as to appropriateness) ONLY by the DSL. This should follow consultation between two DSLs if possible

Disclosures

If a child discloses information of a serious nature, staff will follow school policy and ensure that a DSL is notified as soon as possible. All staff follow the guidance outlined in the safeguarding policy when listening to children, and will request the support of a DSL or named appropriate adult when serious allegations have been made.

Working Together to Safeguard Children

We work closely with our Local Authority safeguarding partners, including social workers, the virtual school, police and voluntary organisations to ensure children and families remain safe.  As the organisation best placed to have good relationships with children, we are often asked to provide information to safeguarding partners or seek the wishes and feelings of pupils.  Permission will normally be requested from parents - either by ourselves or by safeguarding partners, but in certain cases, this may not be appropriate, or time constraints may make this impossible.  We have named appropriate adults to seek the views of children, or to accompany them if other professionals need to speak to them when parents are either unavailable or unable to attend. More information can be found in our safeguarding policy.  Whatever the circumstances, we will always treat our pupils, parents and families with compassion, empathy and sensitivity.

Concerns Relating to Staff

If concerns relate to the actions or behaviour of a member of staff (which could suggest that s/he is a danger to children) then a report must be made to one of the DSLs in confidence. If the concern relates to one of the DSLs, staff should refer to the other DSL who would immediately follow the policy for allegations against staff. Allegations against the Headteacher should be made to the Chair of Governors, or a deputy DSL.

Staff can also contact the Chair of Governors if they feel that this is more appropriate about any safeguarding issue, or can ask for advice from the Local Area Designated Officer/s (LADO) tel: 0161 603 4350 / 4445

Safeguarding Team

The school has adopted a team approach to the vast majority of school practice. This is to provide support, share workload and enable internal validation of procedures and practices.  

The DSLs meet weekly to discuss safeguarding issues, support each other, give supervision and ensure the system is working correctly. Workload is shared and decided on a case by case basis, although any child protection investigation is dealt with by two members of staff where possible to ensure robustness.

Key Contacts in School

Operation Encompass