St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Safeguarding And Child Protection Policy 2024 – 25

Appropriate safeguarding is a prerequisite to the effective development and well-being of children and is therefore an underlying principle in all that we do. The policies within our safeguarding folder reflect this commitment.

The policies however are not enough and we are also committed to:

  • Ensuring everyone who works or volunteers at the academy is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
  • Regular reviews of all practice
  • Appropriate induction and supervision
  • Regular and appropriate training
  • Sustaining the professional ethos which is open and supportive of staff and puts children’s safety and protection at its core.
  • Ensuring that parents are aware of the school’s commitment to this work.

Mrs Crosse

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr Burgess

Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Mrs Broomhead

DSL

SENDCO

Mrs Whitmore

DSL

Mrs Lambert

DSL

Mrs Lunn

DSL

The Designated Safeguarding Person has a responsibility at both a strategic level within the academy and on a day to day basis.

Key Aspects of the DSL role include:

  • Making sure all staff are aware how to raise safeguarding concerns
  • Ensuring all staff understand the symptoms of child abuse and neglect
  • Referring any concerns to social care
  • Monitoring children who are the subject of Child Protection Plans
  • Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records

The school has a statutory responsibility to share any concerns it might have about a child in need of protection with other agencies and in particular Police, Health and Children’s Services. Schools are not able to investigate concerns but have a legal duty to refer them. In most instances, the school will be able to inform the parents/carers of the need to make a referral. However, sometimes the school is advised by Children’s Social Care or Police that the parent/carer cannot be informed whilst they investigate the matter. We understand the anxiety parents/carers understandably feel when they are not told about any concerns from the outset, but the school will follow legislation that aims to act in the best interests of the child.

Details of Operation Encompass can be found be clicking on the following link:

http://www.lcitylscb.org/information-for-practitioners/operation-encompass/

Safeguarding out of hours or emergency

If you are concerned that a child is an immediate danger you should ring the police.

If you are concerned about the safety or well-being of a child during the school holidays, please contact Duty and Advice on 0116 454 1004 or email safeguarding@aquinas-cmat.org