DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD

St. Michael’s CE School Safeguarding Declaration

At St. Michael’s we take notice of and adhere to all the national and local policies and guidance in regard to Safeguarding Children and Young People.

Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for safeguarding and child protection. The key role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead is to:

• manage referrals from school staff or any others from outside the school;

• work with external agencies and professionals on matter of safety and safeguarding;

• undertake training;

• raise awareness of safeguarding and child protection amongst the staff and parents; and

• ensure that child protection information is transferred to the pupil’s new school;

• be aware of pupils who have a social worker;

• help promote educational outcomes by sharing the information about the welfare, safeguarding and child protection issues with teachers and school and college leadership staff.

Reporting Concerns

At St. Michael’s we have clear procedures in place for when adults in the school have a concern about a child or young person or adult in school. They should:

• Complete a concern in writing or make an entry in the electronic recording system following the CPOM ‘ten minute rule’

• Follow the listen, record and inform procedures as outlined on the school ID badge.

• The DSL should be informed that a concern has been raised by following the above procedures.

If the DSL is not available, staff should speak to a member of the Senior Leadership Safeguarding Team as outlined on the published Safeguarding posters displayed in each room /.communal area around the school and/or take advice from local children’s social care as outlined in "Keeping Children Safe in Education".

At St.  Michael’s CE School we recognise that there could be a possibility that adults working in the school may harm children, including governors, volunteers, supply teachers and agency staff. Any concerns about the conduct of other adults in the school should be taken immediately to the Headteacher without delay and  any concerns about the Headteacher should go to the Chair of Governors who can be contacted via the school office.  

It should also be noted that there are procedures in place at St. Michael's to handle and report allegations against members of staff, volunteers and contractors. Furthermore, there are also procedures in place for recording and dealing with low-level concerns that do not meet the threshold for referral to the LADO and can be given to the Headteacher.

The Designated Safeguarding & Prevent Lead at St. Michael’s CE School

The Designated Safeguarding  & Prevent Lead at St. Michael’s CE School is the Headteacher: Mrs Angela Harris. The Deputy Designated leads are Gemma Jennings (Acting Deputy Headteacher) and Hayley Bostock (Assistant Headteacher).  Both DSL & DDSLs received refresher designated training in February 2023. The school is fully compliant. Furthermore, other members of the Senior Leadership and Management Team all received DSL training in March 2023 to support the schools commitment to KCSiE.

The Designated Safeguarding & Prevent Lead on behalf of the Board of Governors at St. Michael’s CE School is: Mr John Whitehouse (Co-Chair).