Safeguarding is everybody's business. We follow the Dfe and Local Authority guidelines which can be found by clicking HERE.
Our most up to date safeguarding policy which is in line the Salford SSCP policy can be found by clicking HERE.
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:
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:
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 must follow school policy, but contact with a DSL should be as soon as possible. No investigation should be attempted by anyone other than a DSL when serious allegations have been made.
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 both members of staff where possible to ensure robustness.
Headteacher & Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mrs Z Wilkinson
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) : Mrs C Walker and Mrs J Hughes
Operation Encompass Named Person: Mrs Z Wilkinson
Prevent Lead: Mrs Z Wilkinson
Designated Looked After Children Lead: Mrs C Walker
Named Governor for Safeguarding & Looked After Children: Mrs C Richardson
Please Note: All Key contacts can be contacted via the school by letter, email or phone:
Light Oaks Junior School
Lancaster Road,
Salford M6 8LU
Tel: 0161 921 1690
Email: lightoaks.juniorschool@salford.gov.uk
The school is part of the Operation Encompass project, which has been developed to underpin good communication between the police and schools when incidents of domestic violence have been reported.
Operation Encompass has been designed to provide early reporting to schools of any domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school but which might have an impact on a child attending school the following day. This information will be shared on school days during the school term. When incidents occur on a Friday, Saturday or a Sunday, the police will contact the relevant school the following Monday.
A nominated member of school staff, known as a Key Adult, is trained to liaise with the police. At Light Oaks Junior School this is Zandra Wilkinson (Headteacher & DSL). She will be able to use information that has been shared with her, in confidence, to ensure that the school is able to support children and their families. Information will be shared where it is identified that a child or young person was present, witnessed or was involved in a domestic abuse incident.
Click here to go to the Operation Encompass Website.
Click here for our Operation Encompass policy
