Safeguarding

SAFEGUARDING AND CHILD PROTECTION

The Governors and staff of Blessed Sacrament are committed to safeguarding, and promote the health welfare and well-being of children in the school. All associated with the school, including volunteers and visitors, are expected to share in this commitment.

The following extracts are taken from our own updated Safeguarding policy and Islington Local Authority’s guidance.

To prevent harm to children (e.g. neglect and other abuses, we strive to create and embed a culture of openness, trust and transparency. We are all responsible for keeping alert to the signs of abuse and harm to children and taking appropriate action so that the health and well-being of our students are promoted and protected. The main eight safeguarding responsibilities of schools and governing bodies include:

Providing and maintaining a safe environment (including online safety).
Working to create positive relationship with students, premised on mutual trust and understanding so that they feel heard and are able to come forward for help.
Ensuring all staff are appropriately trained.
Making sure staff are aware of the indicators and symptoms of abuse and risk and are vigilant in recognising these, maintaining their professional curiosity. (e.g. changes in student behaviour or mood, increased absence from school etc.)
The safer recruitment of staff.
Teaching students about how to stay safe including online and in the real world.
Recording and reporting concerns about abuse and risks to student welfare.
Supporting children who have been abused in according with child protection plans.

Any concerns or disclosures must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Ms Fernandez, Headteacher. We may keep parents informed depending on circumstances.

We understand that a pupil may make an allegation against a member of staff or visitor and for this reason visitors should take care to ensure they protect themselves by adhering to the School’s Code of Conduct. If such an allegation is made, the member of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Head of School.

The Code of Conduct seeks to establish a set of core principles which underpin the concept of public service and which are applicable to anybody who works with or comes into contact with children, regardless of the precise nature of the job they do.

The school expects the work, conduct and integrity of staff, volunteers, governors and visitors to be of the highest standard, since they directly affect the safety and learning and development of the pupils and the success of, and public confidence in, the school.

Prevent Strategy

Blessed Sacrament Primary School is committed to safeguarding children’s welfare. As a school we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability and all staff and governors receive training to help them uphold the Prevent Duty which was introduced in 2015. All staff uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British Values including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Safeguarding Team:

Ms Fernandez Designated Safeguarding Lead

Ms Ahmet Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr Sommerville Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Email all safeguarding concerns to: safeguarding@blessedsacrament.islington.sch.uk