Safeguarding

Overview

Canon Slade School is dedicated to safeguarding all the young people within our care.We have a multi-agency approach to Child-Protection and have a clear structured approach in dealing with any concerns.We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.We work in partnership with parents and external agencies to ensure that the students achieve their full potential and positively contribute to their learning and the wider community.

There may be occasions when we may have concerns about a student, which may mean that we have to consult with external agencies. We follow the Department of Education Safeguarding guidance and work within their framework and good practice guidelines. We also have our own Safeguarding policy that is updated each year in line with current changes. Please see additional documents in support of our safeguarding practice below.

We work closely with parents/carers in order to promote the welfare of children and young people. The welfare of children and young people is paramount. The main aim of this guidance is to keep pupils safe and so we would like to share information with you about How Concerns Are Raised and Our Standards.

Mrs A Jackson

Deputy Head (Inclusion and Student Welfare)

All staff will: Safeguarding and protecting children – Bolton Council

Safeguarding Team

Mrs A Jackson

Dr B Eves

Mrs A J Iles

Mrs C Colley

Mrs E Nicholls - Safeguarding Governor

Our Standards

Staff are in a position of trust and are regularly reminded that professional boundaries must always be maintained.

ALL staff will:

Treat pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observe proper boundaries appropriate to a member of staff’s professional position
Have regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions
Show tolerance of and respect for the rights of others
Not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Ensure that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law
Have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school, and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality.
Have an understanding of, and always act within, the statutory frameworks which set out their professional duties and responsibilities

All staff have a duty to keep pupils and themselves safe and to report any concerns immediately to the Headteacher or the Designated Teacher. If staff become aware of an incident or allegation against another member of staff, this must be reported and will be referred to the LADO .

Where no specific guidance exists, staff are expected to make professional judgements about their behaviour in order to secure the best interests and welfare of pupils and, in doing so, will be deemed to be acting reasonably.

Positions of power and trust Staff must not misuse their position in any way and always be aware how their actions may be viewed by others. They should be aware that social contact with a pupil or even ex-pupil could be interpreted as “grooming”. They must always ask themselves, “Are my actions fair, reasonable, warranted, proportionate, measured, safe and applied equitably?”

Confidentiality

Staff will not share confidential information about a pupil with any person, other than on a professional need-to-know basis. Propriety Staff will behave in a manner that is suitable for working with children and act as a role model. They will not make unprofessional personal comments which scapegoat, demean or humiliate pupils.

Infatuations

Staff should report immediately to a senior member of staff any indications (verbal, written or physical) that suggest a pupil may be infatuated with themselves, or with a colleague.

Dress

Standard of dress should be decent, safe and appropriate.

Gifts

Small “thank yous” are OK to accept. Generally gifts to a pupil should only be given as part of an agreed reward system.

Contact

Contact should be professional and minimal. Any contact with parents or pupils by email must be by school email. Personal details will not be given or sought.

Physical contact

As a general rule, staff must not touch pupils but there may be occasions when it is appropriate and proper for staff to have physical contact eg when a very distressed pupil needs comfort and reassurance or to prevent a pupil from injuring themselves or others. This contact should be in response to a childâ€Ÿs needs at the time, of limited duration, and appropriate given their age, stage of development, gender, ethnicity and background.

Behaviour management

Staff are reminded to apply the discipline system fairly and consistently so as to minimise the risk of pupils perceiving injustice or victimisation.

One-to-one situations

Staff should avoid meeting pupils in remote, secluded areas of the school neither should they arrange meetings with pupils away from the school premises.

Educational visits and after school activities

Parental consent to the activity is required. Staff must remember that in these less formal contexts they are still in a legal position of trust and need to ensure that their behaviour is professional at all times.

First aid and administration of medicines

No medicine will be given by the school without written parental consent. Wherever possible, first aid will only be given by our trained volunteer staff and by staff of the same gender if possible. Any accident or first aid administration should be reported to the school first aider.

Curriculum

Sensitive issues (eg relating to sex, race, religion, gender, disability) should be handled with care, especially when unplanned discussion arises. Staff should be aware of acceptable/unacceptable terminology.

Photographic and video images

It is very good practice at relevant times to record photographic and video images of pupils, or to allow pupils to record such images of each other, eg to assist teaching and learning, to celebrate achievement, for publicity. Images will only be recorded when there is a justifiable need. Parents have the right to refuse images to be displayed on websites, in publications etc

Internet use

All staff and pupils must follow the school policy on the use of IT equipment and the internet. All should be extremely wary of how they use such internet sites as Facebook, Youtube and chat rooms.

This document has been written to share information with parents/carers about our safeguarding standards. Inevitably, questions will arise that the document does not cover, so parents/carers should contact school for clarification.

Who to contact

Mrs Jackson

Mrs Iles

Mrs Colley

Dr Eves

If you have a safeguarding concern you can contact the safeguarding team on 01204 333343 or email Safeguarding@canon-slade.bolton.sch.uk or, you can contact the Integrated Front door - Targeted Early Help and Children’s Social Care or call them on 01204 331 500.

You can also raise a concern using the confidential Contact Form at the bottom of the page.

Safeguarding Policy

safeguarding and child protection policy sept 2023.pdf

safeguarding and child protection policy sept 2024.pdf

Downloads

Operation Encompass

The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in or witness to a domestic abuse incident. Domestic abuse impacts on children in a number of ways. Children are at increased risk of physical injury during an incident, either by accident or because they attempt to intervene. Even when not directly injured, children are greatly distressed by witnessing the physical and emotional suffering of a parent. Operation Encompass has been created to address this situation. It is the implementation of key partnership working between the police and schools. The aim of sharing information with local schools is to allow 'Key Adults' the opportunity of engaging with the child and to provide access to support that allows them to remain in a safe but secure familiar environment. Following the report of an incident of domestic abuse, by 9.00am on the next school day the schools Key Adult will be informed that the child or young person has been involved in a domestic incident. This knowledge given to schools through Operation Encompass, allows the provision of immediate early intervention through silent or overt support dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

The key adults to speak to are Dr B Eves or

Mrs A Iles at Safeguarding@canon-slade.bolton.sch.uk

information for parents.pdf

Resources and Links

CEOPS (Child Exploitation & Online Protection)
Childline Home Page
ThinkUKnow Home Page
framework-for-action
Keeping children safe in education 2024 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

FortAlice

Fortalice are a Bolton based charity providing frontline services for people who are, or have been, affected by domestic abuse and violence.

Their support includes refuge accommodation, local community services, education and accredited training for professionals.

You can find out more on their website.

Endeavour Bolton

Endeavour are a registered charity offering a wide range of services including front line community based support, group work and counselling for those affected by domestic abuse. You can contact Endeavour on their website or contacting them 01204 394842

helpful support lines for pupils.pdf

Please take the time to check out these additional resources

Useful Numbers

Agency	Telephone	Website
Aids	01204 331149
Bereavement – Cruse bereavement care Gtr. Manchester	07377 710382	Cruse
Childline	0800 1111	Childline
Internet Matters		Internet Matters
NHS 111	111	NHS 111
The Parallel – Young People’s Health Centre	01204 462444	The Parallel
360 – Under 19 Alcohol & Substance Misuse	01204 337330	Talk To Frank
Samaritans	116 123	Samaritans
School Nurse	01204 463562
Sexwise: 12-18 Helpline	0800 282930	BBC Sexwise
Shout	Text 85258	Shout - UK's 24/7 Crisis Text Service for Mental Health Support (giveusashout.org)
Kooth		Home-Kooth
Switchboard	08000 119 100	Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
Mhist		Mhist-Mhist
Youngminds		Youngminds Mental Health Charity for Children and Young People
BeKindtomymind		Bolton campaign, developed by the Healthy Minds Youth Project and NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, to reduce the stigma and discrimination around mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the school's safeguarding policy include?

The school's safeguarding policy encompasses a wide range of measures designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. This includes procedures for identifying and responding to concerns about abuse and neglect, ensuring staff are adequately trained, vetting visitors, implementing safe online practices, and working with external agencies. The policy also outlines the responsibilities of staff and the steps for reporting and managing safeguarding issues.

How are staff trained in safeguarding?

All staff members receive comprehensive safeguarding training upon joining the school, which is regularly updated. This training covers recognising signs of abuse and neglect, understanding legal responsibilities, and knowing how to report concerns. Additionally, the school provides ongoing updates and refresher courses to ensure staff remain aware of the latest safeguarding practices and guidance.

What happens if a child discloses abuse?

If a child discloses abuse, the school follows a strict protocol to ensure the child's safety and well-being. This involves listening carefully and empathetically, not promising confidentiality, ensuring the child's immediate safety, and reporting the disclosure to the designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The DSL will then assess the situation and act appropriately, including contacting children's services or the police.

How does the school monitor and record concerns about child welfare?

The school uses a secure information system to monitor and record child welfare concerns. This system allows designated staff to access and update records as necessary, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach to safeguarding. Regular reviews of these records help identify patterns or ongoing issues, facilitating timely and appropriate interventions.

How does the school collaborate with parents and external agencies in safeguarding matters?

Effective safeguarding requires collaboration between the school, parents, and external agencies. The school communicates regularly with parents about safeguarding policies and issues, ensuring transparency and partnership. When safeguarding concerns arise, the school may contact external agencies, such as child protective services, healthcare providers, or law enforcement, depending on the nature of the concern. The school works closely with these agencies to share information, participate in planning and support the child and family as needed.

Recent changes or additions to safeguarding policies

All the school policies and procedures have been updated to meet the requirements in the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024: Statutory guidance for schools and colleges document - please click on the link below: Keeping children safe in education 2024 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Early Help Assessment (EHA) Offer

At Canon Slade, we are committed to ensuring parents have the support they need to safeguard their children and access early help services.

We offer 8-10 weekly EHA review meetings, guiding parents through the process and explaining the support available to them and their children.

Our intervention package includes comprehensive services, such as CGS and Bosco interventions, tailored to meet each child's needs. Additionally, we connect parents with a range of external support services, including Aspire Behaviour Support Service, Kooth, I Thrive, Bolton Parents/Carers Forum, MHST, and Talking Therapy, offering diverse resources to address various challenges.

The Early Help System