Safeguarding Children Statement
Parkgate Junior School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, staff and visitors and promoting a climate where children and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns which they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.
The School’s Child Protection policy draws upon the principles of “Every Child Matters”, duties conferred by the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, S175/157 of the 2002 Education Act, the Education & Inspections Act 2006 and the guidance contained in “Working Together to Safeguard Children”,“What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused”, the current DCSF Circular - “Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education” (2007) and procedures produced by the Herts Safeguarding Children Board. The policy is applicable to all on and off-site activities undertaken by pupils whilst they are the responsibility of the School.
Designated Senior Person - Sarah Pipe
Deputy DSP - Sally Croxford
Safeguarding Governor - Sarah Hughes
The School aims to:
• Provide a safe educational environment for pupils
• Maintain vigilance in detecting abuse and operate clear procedures for all staff to follow in cases of suspected abuse
• Ensure that pupils who are vulnerable, at risk and/or likely to suffer significant harm are identified and that appropriate action is taken to keep them safe
• Effectively monitor pupils who are vulnerable or at risk
• Promote an ethos in which pupils feel safe, feel able to talk openly and are listened to
• Prevent unsuitable people from working with children
• Promote and share safe practice with parents and pupils
• Ensure that all parents and guardians are aware of the School’s child protection responsibilities
• Ensure that proper written records of any child protection concerns and cases are kept and maintained confidentially.
All those who are to be employed by the School or who will come into unsupervised contact with pupils as volunteers are subject to checks through the Criminal Records Bureau. A rigorous checking of qualifications and references will also be undertaken by the School before offering anyone employment. Appropriate general training on Child Protection issues will be provided on induction and at regular intervals to all members of staff, and specialist training will be attended by the designated contact, in accordance with statutory requirements.
Parkgate Junior School’s Designated Senior Person, in charge of Child Protection issues is the Headteacher or Acting Headteacher. There is a Deputy Designated Person; the Deputy Headteacher or Acting Deputy Headteacher. Any concerns can be discussed with them.