Safeguarding Statement

At St Barnabas, we regard the safeguarding of children as our main priority. We believe that we all have the right to be happy, to be safe and to learn. We all have the responsibility to make this happen.

We will ensure that:

• The welfare of the child remains paramount.
• All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/ or sexual identity have the right to be protected from harm.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• All staff and volunteers working at our school have a responsibility to report concerns to Mrs E Whetham (Executive Headteacher/ Designated Safeguarding Lead) or Mrs L Reeder (Deputy Headteacher/ Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead). 

Staff & Visitors	Ensuring they are vetted, informed & trained
Children’s Behaviour	Promoting safer & happier behaviours & lifestyles
Parents & Carers	Promoting links & supporting families
Premises	Keeping them safe, pleasant & fit for purpose
Curriculum	Providing positive, life-affirming learning experiences. Teaching about safer practices – e-safety etc.
Outside School	Ensuring safer activities and environments outside school

Members of Staff Responsible

We are all responsible for ensuring that each child remains safe. The school has a Safeguarding Team consisting of:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mrs E A Whetham
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads: Mrs L Reeder (Deputy Headteacher); Mrs S Harding (HLTA); Miss A Holden (EYFS TA)
• Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Local Academy Board member: Mr T Spaughton
• DoWMAT; The Trust’s Senior Designated Officer for Safeguarding: Mrs V Shelley; CEO

Mr Tom Spaughton Safeguarding Local Academy Board Member	Mrs E Whetham - DSL Executive Headteacher
Mrs L Reeder- DDSL Deputy Headteacher (Interim)
Mrs S Harding -  DDSL HLTA - Pastoral Support	Miss A Holden - DDSL EYFS TA

 

Safer Recruitment

We follow strict procedures to ensure that everyone who works with our children is vetted, keeping our children as safe as possible. Ongoing checks and ‘whistle-blowing’ are in line with current policy.

Staff Training

Staff are trained in child protection issues and they are aware of the procedures to follow. Staff are encouraged to be vigilant in order to maintain the safety of our children. All volunteers are given our guidance leaflet ‘Guidance for Volunteers & Regular Visitors’ and are directed to the documents: Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE).

Safeguarding Policy (Child Protection Policy)

All staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children and are able to implement the safeguarding policy and procedures appropriately. Policies are in line with current guidance and procedures.

Staff are able to respond appropriately to any:

• significant changes in children's behaviour
• deterioration in their general well-being;
• unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse;
• signs of neglect;
• comments children make which give cause for concern;
• signs of emotional/ mental health problems.

Our approach to Safeguarding:

Safeguarding and Quality Assurance for children

Information about key services such as Independent Reviewing Officer Service, Child Protection Coordinators, Local Authority Designated Officers and more can be found here: Safeguarding and quality assurance for children | Worcestershire County Council

If you have reason to believe that a child, young person or adult is at immediate risk from harm contact the Police: telephone: 999

If you have any concerns about a child or young person living in Worcestershire and feel that they may be in need of protection or safeguarding contact the Family Front Door using the link: Referral to children's social care (level 4)

If you have reason to believe that a child, young person or adult is at immediate risk from harm contact the Police:

• telephone: 999

If you have any concerns about a child or young person living in Worcestershire and feel that they may be in need of protection or safeguarding contact the Family Front Door. Staff are available Monday to Thursday from  9.00am to 5.00pm and Fridays from 9.00am to 4.30pm.

• telephone: 01905 822666

For assistance out of office hours (weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays):

• telephone: 01905 768020