ONLINE SAFETY

PREVENT DUTY

WELL-BEING

Safeguarding Statement

St. Benedict’s Catholic School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We recognise that all adults, including temporary staff, volunteers and governors, have a full and active part to play in protecting our pupils from harm, and that the child or young person’s welfare is our paramount concern.

We listen to our pupils and take seriously what they tell us. All school staff are trained in Child Protection & Safeguarding. 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, neglect and sexual abuse and are required to report these to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy which can be viewed in the policies section on our website.

On occasions our concern about a child may mean that we have to consult outside agencies such as social services. We will ensure that all concerns are discussed first with parents/carers before any such referrals are made, unless of course we believe that such action may be contrary to a child’s welfare.

We actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism, and all staff have CSE and FGM training. 

We follow the Safer Recruitment Policy and the Department of Education guidance: ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ as well as data protection and confidentiality policies. We have a Health & Safety Policy for the practical protection of children and staff.

All staff receive Child Protection (CP) training and Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) clearance appropriate to their position in school.

Designated Safeguarding Leads

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Mrs. Sarah McAlpine (Headteacher).

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) is Mrs Claire Read (Assistant Headteacher) 

Miss Howell (Assistant Headteacher) is also fully trained and is part of our safeguarding team at St. Benedict's.

 Emergency Contact Details

Social Care Duty Team – 01634 334466

LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) - Tel: 01634 331307 / 01634 336 204

Police 999 / 101 (Non-emergency number)

Prevent Referral: channel@kent.pnn.police.uk

 Prevent is a government strategy with the aim of reducing the likihood of young people becoming radicalised and then engaging in any form of violent extremism.  You can find out more by reading the leaflet below.

Prevent Duty Leaflet for parents.  Leaflet

Medway Safeguarding Children’s Partnership website is a collective resource providing information, advice and guidance for children and young people, parents and carers, practitioners and volunteers to promote and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in Medway.  You can visit their website: https://www.medway.gov.uk/mscb/

You can also phone 01634 334 466 or the 24 hour emergency number 03000 419 191.

 We are an Operation Encompass school. Operation Encompass is a jointly run operation between Kent Police and schools whereby the Police report to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced any domestic abuse so that appropriate support can be put in place.

Alternative telephone numbers if you have concerns about a child.

• NSPCC on 0808 800 5000
• Child Line on 0800 1111
• Medway Police on 0162 2690 690

Links to:

NSCCP https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

NSPCC Whistleblowing helpline is 0800 028 2085 (8am - 8pm Monday to Friday) or via email help@nspcc.org.uk

CEOP https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

The following points of information are covered below.

Please click on the links below to take you to the information you require.