Safeguarding
Key Information
Safeguarding at St Thomas of Canterbury Church of England Primary School
All schools must adhere to Keeping Children Safe in Education, statutory safeguarding guidance from the Department for Education: all staff must read at least the first section of this guidance. Staff also need to be aware of the safeguarding policies and procedures the school has in place and should know how to recognise and report signs of abuse and neglect.
At St Thomas of Canterbury Church of England Primary School we have a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) who is trained to support staff and liase with other agencies. The DSL, or their deputy, must be available to staff at all times during school hours. Staff should raise any concerns about pupils' welfare with the safeguarding lead, who will then make decisions about referrals. A referral must be made immediately where a child is in immediate danger or risk of harm.
Safeguarding training
All staff must undergo safeguarding training that is regularly updated, and training for the DSL and their deputy must be updated at least every two years. DSLs and other staff must also refresh their safeguarding knowledge and skills regularly, but at least annually.
Safer Recruitment
Anyone working at a school, including governors, third party staff and volunteers, must undergo appropriate safer recruitment checks, including the correct level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Anyone engaged in 'regulated activity' must undergo an enhanced DBS check with barred list information. Checks must be recorded on the school's single central record (SCR). At least one person on any appointment panel in a maintained school must have undertaken safer recruitment training.
Specific Recruitment Issues
All staff need to be aware of specific safeguarding isues such as radicalisation, child sexual exploitation (CSE), children missing education and mental health. Teachers are required by law to report to the police known cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) involving a girl aged under 18.
Appropriate internet filters and monitoring systems must be in place to keep pupils safe online.
Links to the relevant policies are contained in the table below: