Safeguarding and Child Protection

The St Ann’s Child Protection policy provides clear direction to staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with Child Protection issues.  The policy also makes explicit the commitment to the development of good practice and sound internal procedures.  This ensures that Child Protection concerns and referrals may be handled sensitively, professionally and in ways which support the needs of the child.

Our Keeping Children Safe in Education Policy is informed by key DfE document: Keeping Children Safe in Education (Guidance)

Aim

The aim of St Ann’s is to safeguard and promote children’s welfare, safety, health and guidance by fostering an honest, open, caring and supportive climate.  The children's welfare is of paramount importance.

In order to protect and support children there will be an emphasis on:

a)   Prevention through a positive and open atmosphere, teaching and pastoral support to students.

b)   Protection through following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are appropriately recruited, trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Child Protection concerns.

Our Commitment

We recognise that high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and clear lines of communication with a trusted adult helps all children, and especially those at risk of, or suffering from, abuse.

We will ensure that there are systems in place for every child’s voice to be heard and taken into account when determining action by:

a) maintaining an ethos where children feel secure and are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.

b) ensuring that children know that there are adults at St Ann's who they can approach if they are worried or are in difficulty. The name of the designated teacher should be displayed clearly in every classroom.

c) including in the curriculum activities and opportunities which equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse and which will help children develop realistic attitudes to the responsibilities of adult life, particularly with regard to childcare and parenting skills.

d) ensuring that wherever possible every effort will be made to establish effective working relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies.

Child Protection

Where there is any suspicion of Child Abuse the school has the statutory responsibility for reporting this to Social Services. We believe that the welfare of the child is always paramount. The current Designated Person for Child Protection is the Head of School, Mark Lancaster.

Lead Child Protection Officer : Mark Lancaster - Head of School

Deputy Child Protection Officer: Harriet Paul - Leader of Learning

Designated Looked After Children Office: Rebecca Harrison - Leading Practitioner - Inclusion

Online Safety Officer: Rebecca Harrison

Health and Safety Officer: Jayne Reeve

First Aider in Schools:

Anthony Williams, Camille Daley, Dealia Dos Santos, Lydia Morson, Mark Lancaster, Marianna Griffiths, Marsha Norville, Monique Maye, Rebecca Harrison

Paediatric First Aid:

Marsha Norville, Jo Hockley, Monique Maye