Safeguarding

 

'Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners 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, revised Sept 2022, HM Government)

 

Meet the Safeguarding Team

Mrs Michelle Parsons
Executive Headteacher

Designated Safeguarding Lead /
Child Protection Officer

Mr Matt Pollock
Deputy Headteacher

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead /
Child Protection Officer

Mrs Jen Hird
Chair of Governors

Nominated Child Protection Governor

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Local Authority Designated Officer (LAD0): Sarah Hogan (01225 396810)

 

 

Trinity Church School is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all our children and we take Safeguarding very seriously. We fully recognise our roles and responsibilities for safeguarding and child protection. Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture or disability. They have a right to be safe in our school.

We use consistent, fair and thorough recruitment and selection procedures that aim to deter, reject or identify people who might abuse children and young people and to ensure that those recruited are suitable to work with them. All our staff are appropriately trained and all have current Enhanced DBS checks. Our Safeguarding policies apply to all staff, governors and volunteers working in our school. 

We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection, and children are made aware of the adults they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff are trained to look out for signs of physical/emotional harm or neglect and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

The procedures which we follow are in line with those of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership and the school has adopted a Child Protection Policy in line with this, for the safety of all. On rare occasions our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult other agencies. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed with parent/carers first, before any referrals are made, unless we believe that such a move may be contrary to a child’s welfare.

If you have any concerns regarding Safeguarding issues, please speak to:

Mrs Michelle Parsons the Designated Safeguarding Officer,  Mr Matt Pollock who is the Deputy Safeguarding Officer or Mrs Jen Hird, Safeguarding Governor or any member of staff.

  

Safeguarding Policies and Procedure Links

Information on safeguarding can be found within the Safeguarding Policy on the main Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership website. Trinity Local Safeguarding Procedures can be viewed here.

Further policies and procedure documents around home school agreements, e-safety, behaviour and anti-bullying can be found on our school policies and procedures page.

There have been updates to Keeping children safe in education, to view the June 2022 updates please click here.

School Safeguarding Procedures

  • Children are encouraged to share concerns or worries with their parents/carers and know who they can talk to in school if they need to.
  • If a member of staff has a concern that a child has been mistreated, either physically, emotionally, sexually or by neglect, they must report the matter immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Natalie Jones).
  • The member of staff will keep the matter confidential to as few people as need to know. If there is anyone who needs to be informed, the designated teacher will ensure this happens. Confidentiality is crucial.
  • The member of staff will make an accurate record of what has occurred or been noticed on our Child Protection Online Monitoring and Safeguarding system (MyConcern), which automatically alerts the DSL team (all the School Leadership Team).
  • If the Designated Safeguarding Lead decides to make a referral to Social Care or is instructed by Social Care to make a referral, this will be discussed with the family and we will seek to gain agreement. This will be done as long as such discussion and agreement seeking will not place a child at increased risk of significant harm. We will always contact the Social Care Team for advice if we are unsure about the best way to proceed with any concerns.
  • The Social Care Department and the Police have a duty to investigate cases of suspected abuse. As a school we have a duty to co-operate with any such investigation. This might involve providing information, monitoring the child, or attending a Team Around the Child Meeting or Child Protection Conference.

Purpose of our Safeguarding Policy

Trinity Church School's safeguarding policy provides clear direction to all school stakeholders about expected practice in dealing with safeguarding issues.  It makes explicit the school’s commitment to the development of good practice and effective procedures, ensuring that safeguarding concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in a way that supports and protects the needs of the child.

There are three main aims to our Safeguarding Policy:

Prevention: by creating a positive school atmosphere and providing high quality teaching and pastoral support to pupils;

Protection: by following agreed procedures and ensuring staff are appropriately recruited, trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Safeguarding concerns;

Support: by providing support for pupils and school staff and for children who may have been or are being abused.

All those working in education can contribute to the safeguarding and protection of the welfare of a child in need.

According to the DfE, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

  • protecting children from maltreatment;
  • preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
  • ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
  • taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility at Trinity Church School.

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is childcentred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

This policy applies to all who come into contact with children at Trinity Church School including:

  • Teachers
  • Teaching assistants
  • Administrative assistants
  • Students
  • Wrap Around Care assistants
  • Midday supervisors/Catering team
  • Caretaking and Cleaning team
  • Visitors/volunteers
  • Adult helpers
  • Governors

If in doubt, anyone with concerns should seek advice from our Safeguarding team ('Our Safeguarding Team').

Prevent Duty

Trinity Church School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils. As a school, we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability.

All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

On 1 July 2015 the Prevent duty (section 26) of The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 came into force. This duty places the responsibility on local authorities to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

As part of Trinity Church School’s commitment to safeguarding and child protection we fully support the government’s Prevent Strategy.

At Trinity Church School, we build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling our pupils to challenge extremist views. You can read about what we do to promote British Values here.

Online Safety

The internet is amazing.

Children can play, learn, create and connect - opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. 

But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe?

If you have any concerns about online safety, please talk to your class teacher, or make an appointment to see a member of SLT. 

Another great resource for keeping children safe online is net-aware.org which has great links discussing using social media, and computer games.

 

The NSPCC online safety website has lots of helpful advice on managing online safety in your family.

T - Talk about staying safe online

E - Explore their online world together

A - Agree rules, what's ok and what's not

M - Manage your family's settings and controls 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet Matters is another great source for advice and ensuring that you are keeping up to date as a parent with internet safety. 

 

What to do if you're worried about a child

If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, you can speak to our safeguarding team above. You can also contact the Bath & North East Somerset Community Safety & Safeguarding Partnership (BCSSP).

 

If a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999 straight away.

  • BCSSP Bath & North East Somerset Community Safety & Safeguarding Partnership   

  • CEOP Internet Safety