Designated Safeguarding Lead |
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Person |
Designated Safeguarding Person |
Designated Safeguarding Person |
Safeguarding Governor |
Miss. F. Clark |
Mrs. C. Hill |
Miss. L. Hargreaves |
Mrs. J. Roberts |
Mrs. M Cabry |
Headteacher |
Deputy Headteacher |
Assist HT/SENCO |
Class Teacher |
Child Protection Governor |
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED FORM HARM.
FAMILIES HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT SCHOOL TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT.
All schools have a legal duty to work with other agencies, for example, Child Protection Unit and the police, to safeguard children's welfare.
Miss Clark is the senior member of staff with responsibility for child protection matters affecting pupils at the school (the Designated Senior Person for Child Protection or DSP.CP) - Mrs Hill, Miss Hargreaves and Mrs Roberts are the deputy designated persons.
The school has a safeguarding & child protection policy which explains how our school, Immaculate Heart of Mary deals with child protection concerns, including allegations about the behaviour of staff. This is on our website and you can ask for a paper copy.
Schools must follow:
The law
Guidance from the Department for Children Schools & Families.
Local multi-agency child protection procedures.
If the school is worried about a pupil’s welfare or a disclosure is made by a child they must refer this onto the Child Protection Unit (CPU).
The school will normally let the pupil’s parent(s) know when they do this, but they should not contact the parents if they think that this could put a child or young person at risk or harm.
When a school refers a child protection concern to the CPU they must share all relevant information about the pupil.
The Data Protection Act allows schools to share personal information with other agencies when there are child protection concerns about a child or young person.
Within 24 hours of receiving the first referral the CPU team usually in consultation with other agencies, will decide what should happen next.
They may decide no further action is needed.
They may decide that it needs looking into further. What action is taken will depend on the circumstances. Any of the following may be appropriate:
An initial assessment
Child Protection enquiries - this includes agencies assessing the risks to any children based upon information shared, research and talking to those concerned.
If the referral relates to an allegation about a member of staff it would be referred to the LADO - Ted O'Sullivan or Carolyn Hargreaves on 0113 2478457 and they would inform the school on what will happen next.