Safeguarding
Safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility and no concern is ever too small to share.
Who can you talk to if you are worried about a child or young adult?
If you ever feel concerned about a safeguarding issue, no matter how small it may be, it is important that you share it. It is everyone's responsibility to look after children and young adults. Never feel that something is too small to say or think that 'it can't happen here'. We all need to be vigilant at all times and to communicate well with each other.
Mrs Selleck, Mrs Allaway and Miss Bailey are the school Designated Safeguarding Leads.
All staff receive regular training in child protection and safeguarding procedures. Our Designated Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Odutola. She visits school regularly to check on the school’s safeguarding procedures.
All staff receive training in Safeguarding and Child Protection and follow the procedures set out in the Safeguarding and Child Protection policy.
Safeguarding concerns should be passed onto a Designated Senior Lead (DSL) immediately.
Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are:. Mrs Selleck, Mrs Allaway and Miss Bailey.
Concerns can also be shared in confidence with Mrs Selleck by emailing headspa@christchurchschool.herts.sch.
If you have child protection/safeguarding concerns about a child, please visit the following link for information about what to do:
You can also contact Children's Services for advice and to report a concern on 0300 123 4043.
Prevent Duty
Christ Church School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our children. We believe that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other threat children might face.
All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental 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 & 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 our commitment to safeguarding and child protection, we fully support the government's Prevent Strategy.
Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to any post, including checks with previous employers and an enhanced DBS.
Safeguarding Procedures
We give the safeguarding of children the highest priority.
Under the Education Act 2002 (Section 175), schools must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The law (Children Act 1989) requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
Staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with a parent or carer and, where possible, seek their consent to make a referral to Children’s Services if that is considered necessary. This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm or cause undue delay. The school will seek advice from Children’s Services when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.
Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later found to be unfounded. The school’s Designated Safeguarding Leads carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acts in the best interests of all children.
We always welcome help from parents and carers in school or on trips and visits, once necessary checks have been carried out. If you would like further information on DBS checks, please speak to the school office staff.