OUR CULTURE OF SAFEGUARDING AT STANBOROUGH SECONDARY SCHOOL

We approach safeguarding by making sure that everyone provides a safe environment in which children can learn. This includes, having a curriculum to promote safety and the correct documents, policies, procedures and records in place. Additionally, we believe that staff knowledge of the indicators of abuse and neglect is critical. Without these elements, safeguarding will be ineffective, just as it will if we fail to act on early signs of abuse and neglect in a professional way, do not share information, or do not listen to what children tell us. Even if children, young people and adults say they feel safe, we are fully aware that we must keep asking ourselves whether they are safe. The truth is that we do not know, which is why we take every step to develop a culture that is as safe as possible. We embed this culture by: 

  • Recognising that anyone can become a perpetrator, regardless of faith, religion, background, or gender. 
  • Being aware of school related issues and trends, along with knowledge of concerns in the wider community. 
  • Being confident of reporting safeguarding (or potential safeguarding) concerns and respecting the importance of confidentiality. 
  • Never turning away from a difficult, controversial, embarrassing topic or conversation at our school.
  • Discussing concerns sensibly, with maturity and consideration.
  • Speaking to the right people to seek advice and support. 
  • Acknowledging that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and working as a team to prevent, protect and take action.

Any concerns are passed through the members of staff who are trained as ‘Designated Child protection Officers’ in school in compliance with the ‘sharing of information’ guidance.

Child Protection Policy Poster
Anti-bullying strategy 2021-2023

The school will, in most circumstances, endeavour to discuss concerns with parents about their children. However, there may be exceptional circumstances when the school will discuss concerns with Social Care and/or the Police without parental knowledge (in accordance with Child Protection procedures). The school will, of course, always aim to maintain a positive relationship with all parents.

Staff training & Governor

All of our staff complete safeguarding training online. Our safeguarding team have all completed level three training, which is renewed every two years. All members of our governing body are required to be trained in safeguarding.

All staff also receive regular updates and training throughout the year.

This includes:

  • Induction sessions for new staff
  • Annual refreshers
  • Training about specific topics on:
    • Keeping Children Safe in Education  part 1          
    • Safeguarding and child protection: the essentials           
    • Peer-on-peer abuse
    • Preventing radicalization
    • Online safety
    • Anti-bullying assessment
    • Safer recruitment in education (DSLs)                             
  • Regular updates in staff meetings

Student awareness

 The Headteacher (and DSL) presents key issues and information in assemblies. Our assemblies this year include:

ICT

E-safety is an important issue which affects us all. Please see our dedicated e-Safety page: E-Safety Guidelines. Below are some links to come websites that you might find useful when facing ICT safeguarding issues.

Keeping safe online

For those who speak or read in another language.

Just click the link below to a poster that is translated into many languages.

Our Policies and Procedures

When and what might I be concerned about?

  • PHYSICAL SIGNS
  • BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES
  • EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
  • DIFFERENT PRESENTATION

What should I do if a child discloses that s/he is being harmed?

  1. Listen – Listen carefully, do not interrupt.
  2. Reassure – Reassure the pupil that it is not their fault.
  3. Inform – Inform your DSL/Deputy DSL.
  4. Record – Make a written record, sign and date it.
  5. Pass – Pass the record to the DSL/Deputy DSL.
  • Stress that it was the right thing to tell.
  • Be calm, attentive and non-judgemental.
  • Ask non-leading questions.
  • Do not promise to keep it as a secret.

What should I do if the alleged abuser is a member of the school staff?

If your concern is about a staff member or volunteer, you should report this to the Head Teacher.
If your concern is about the Head Teacher, you should report to the Chair of Governors.

How do I ensure my behaviour is always appropriate?

Please ask a member of the Senior Leadership Team for school guidance regarding Safer Working Practice. The DFE have also produced guidance entitled Working Together to Safeguard Children.
This publication can be found on the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning (www.thegrid.org.uk).

Use of Webcams 

The school uses webcams to observe teaching and learning, improve safeguarding practice and to minimise face-to face contact during the pandemic. 

When cameras are turned on in lessons, the following takes place: 

  • Webcams will only be accessed internally 
  • The purpose is to identify good practice relating to teaching and learning, safeguarding and curriculum matters (such as allowing students to access learning remotely) 
  • Students and staff will be able to access the learning/teaching via the internal platforms we use (e.g. Google Meet / Google Classroom) 
  • Leaders will ensure that all 1-2-1 remote lessons also have the presence of an adult in the lesson