Safeguarding
We all have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to maintain a professional attitude of it could happen here where safeguarding is concerned.
This means: –
- Protecting children from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome
Wolgarston is committed to safeguarding children and maintaining a vigilant and safe environment. Everyone has a responsibility to act without delay to protect children. The school seeks to work in partnership with families and other agencies to improve the outcomes for children who are vulnerable or in need. We do this through child protection, health care plans, health and safety, safety on educational visits, pastoral support and much more.
‘Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.’ (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019)
All staff are encouraged to report any concerns that they have and not see these as insignificant. On occasions, a referral is justified by a single incident such as an injury or disclosure of abuse. More often however, concerns accumulate over a period of time and are evidenced by building up a picture of harm over time; this is particularly true in cases of emotional abuse and neglect. In these circumstances, it is crucial that staff record and pass on concerns to the Safeguarding Team or where necessary Staffordshire Childrens Advice and Support Service or the Police.
The safeguarding team is made up of
S McCosh – Designated Safeguarding Lead
C Watson– Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
K Botten - Inclusion & Wellbeing mentor
Please note all members of the team have an equal voice and commit to peer review to ensure a balanced consultative approach. There is a Penk Valley Safeguarding Committee to oversee implementation of policy chaired by the Trust Safeguarding champion and a link Safeguarding Trustee with oversight (Interim - Kevin Maycock).
H Barron – Trust Safeguarding Champion
Concerns are recorded on our internet-based CPOMS software though they may be brought to the attention of the Safeguarding Team in a variety of ways to make reporting concerns as easy as possible.
The school adheres to the following three DFE safeguarding documents which you can find below:
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
Our approach to safeguarding is set out in our ‘Safeguarding Policy’ and supported in other policy documents which can be found on our policy page:-