We all play a part!
At Altham St. James’ School, safeguarding all children is the most important role we have. In order for children to be successful learners, they must feel safe and cared about. Safeguarding is everyone’s role; all staff play a vital role in ensuring this for all children.
Designated Safeguarding Leaders
At all schools, there must be a senior leader who is responsible for safeguarding called the Designated Safeguarding Leader (DSL). There must also be at least one person who is the Back-Up Safeguarding Lead. At our school, the following staff are the leaders for safeguarding:
Mrs Carol Woods: Headteacher, SENCO, DSL
Mrs Lisa Lunniss: EYFS Lead, Deputy DSL
Safeguarding Governors:
Mrs. J. Jones: Chair of Governors
Mrs. G. Paintin: Vice-chair of Governor
As a school, we work with external agencies
Operation Encompass is a partnership between police and schools.
One of the principles of Operation Encompass is that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified.
Every school has a trained Key Adult (DSL) – the Key Adult is the person who receives information about police attended Domestic Abuse incidents.
The Key Adult is notified prior to the start of the next school day that the police have attended an incident of domestic abuse. This timely information sharing enables appropriate support to be provided for that child so that all interactions, from when the child first arrives at the school gates, are of a positive nature. At our school the key adults are Mrs. C. Woods (Headteacher and DSL), Mrs. S. Kenyon (School Bursar) and Mrs. L. Lunniss (Deputy DSL and EYFS Lead).
Parents and carers should also be aware that under their safeguarding duties schools must always work towards the best interests of the children in their care. This may include referring to the police and to children’s social care services if necessary.
Attendance
Good attendance at school ensures children make the best academic and social progress. To ensure good attendance for all children, we have specific procedures in place to ensure this is the case; this is part of our wider safeguarding work. We work with the School Attendance Support Worker from LCC.
Safer Recruitment
When recruiting new members of staff, at least one member of the interviewing committee must be Safer Recruitment trained. At our school, Mrs. Woods (Headteacher) and Ms. C. McCormack (School Governor) is safer recruitment trained.
Early Help in Lancashire
The vision of all partner organisations working with children and families in Lancashire is to improve children’s lives by working in partnership to raise aspirations, build achievement and protect the most vulnerable.
Lancashire’s Children and Family Wellbeing Service-early help referrals
Lancashire County Council’s Early Help Offer Lancashire’s Children and Family Wellbeing Service (CFW) offers practical support to children, young people, parents/carers and families.
This support can be provided on a whole range of issues which may be affecting individuals or the family and is offered through a network of centres as well as in the community or in the family home. The main focus of the service is to provide an enhanced level of support which is prioritised towards those groups or individuals who have more complex or intensive needs or who are at risk and particularly where we think that providing early help will make a positive difference.
We want any problems to be identified early and appropriate support be put in place on a basis on mutual respect and sensitivity to the family. Any concerns and referrals are made via the school.
Useful Websites
Lancashire Children’s Safeguarding Board https://www.lancashiresafeguarding.org.uk/
NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Childline https://www.childline.org.uk/
CEOP – Online Safety Reporting https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/