SAFEGUARDING
Schools have a crucial role in safeguarding the well-being and safety of our children. Safeguarding is a term used to describe the measures taken to protect the health, well-being, and rights of the children that attend this school.
Excellent safeguarding is achieved through an embedded culture. Where safeguarding is embedded in the school culture, as it is at St Peter’s and St Gildas’ is a natural part of everyday life for staff and children.
Safeguarding at St Peter’s and St Gildas’:
- Legislation: we work clearly within the statutory DfE guidance called ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. It sets out expectations that are used to build every day policy and safer recruitment procedures.
- Policy: The key policy is the Safeguarding and CP Policy 23-24, which outlines the procedures and protocols that the school follows to safeguard children and respond to any concerns about their welfare. Other key policies to support safeguarding are:
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for coordinating safeguarding efforts, providing support to staff, and liaising with external agencies. The DSL is the main point of contact for any safeguarding concerns. The Designated Safeguarding Lead at St Peter’s and St Gildas’ is Mr O’Shannessy. In his absence the deputy safeguarding leads are: Ms Pantelli, Mrs Johnston, Mrs Peters, Miss Ashworth and Mrs Sexton. The Safeguarding Governor is Mrs Booker. If you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead at head@st-gildas.haringey.sch.uk
- Staff Training: All staff members and Governors have annual safeguarding training, and DSLs are trained to a level appropriate for their role. This training helps them recognise signs of abuse or neglect and understand the procedures for reporting concerns.
- Working With Agencies and Partners: We always share relevant information with other agencies to promote the well-being of children. Effective communication and collaboration with parents, social services, and other professionals are essential. Click here for more information about Haringey’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
- Creating a Safe Environment: St St Peter’s and St Gildas’ we pride ourselves on creating a calm, safe environment for our children that helps them stay physically and emotionally safe. Policies that are designed to help keep children safe and happy (Behaviour policy, Online Safety Policy and AUPs).
- Curriculum: We have developed a comprehensive curriculum that supports children in their ability to make safe choices and to keep them from harm (in school and outside of school, including online). Our Relationship and Health Curriculum and our PSHE Curriculum are key to the development of children’s safety awareness.
- Monitoring, Review and Impact: All procedures, policies and curricula are reviewed regularly by governors, who are responsible for ensuring we discharge our safeguarding responsibilities effectively.
We also invite regular external scrutiny, from the Local Authority and/or Haringey Education Partnership, to ensure that safeguarding is embedded at St Peter’s and St Gildas’.
Safeguarding STPG leaflet Feb 2024
Useful links:
Childline
NSPCC