Safeguarding at New School

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Keeping children safe is at the heart of our school.  We strive to create a culture where parents and teachers work together to address some of the risks facing children today.

 

We recognise the importance of providing an ethos and environment within the setting, that will help children to feel safe, secure and respected; encourage them to talk openly; and enable them to feel confident that they will be listened to. We promote a community with kindness at its heart and encourage everyone to give their best effort in all activities at all times.  We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.

 

If you are worried about a child, or would like to talk about any aspect of Safeguarding, please do contact our Safeguarding Leads (contact details below).

 

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Safeguarding Statement

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Under the Education Act 2002 (section 175/157), schools must “make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children”.

 

“Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm. It includes a wide range of issues relating to pupil welfare, health and safety.” (Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills, Ofsted, September 2016).  

 

We practise safeguarding to a very high standard. Please be assured that all our staff are thoroughly checked in line with the DfE ruling. All volunteers have to go through a suitability checking procedure and are DBS checked.  All staff also receive a copy of Keeping Children Safe in Education Part 1 and receive regular safeguarding training to ensure a high standard is maintained.

 

Parents/carers should know that the law requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

 

Parents/carers should be aware that records of welfare concerns may be kept about their child. School staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with them directly, including referrals to other agencies. However, in situations where the child is suspected to be at risk of harm, the law says that schools may take advice from other agencies without informing parents/carers. (Refer to our Safeguarding Policy for more information)

 

In accordance with local Information Sharing protocols, we will ensure that information is shared securely and sensitively.  Information will only be shared with other services where it is deemed necessary and proportionate to ensure that children and young people are safe and receive the right service.

 

Schools will seek advice from Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded.  Parents/carers will appreciate that the member of staff in the school with responsibility for child protection (known as the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Designated Person) was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children.

 

Under Section 3 (5) of the Children Act 1989, schools or any person who has care of a child “may….do what is reasonable in all the circumstances of the case for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare”.  This means that on rare occasions, a school may need to “hold” a child in school whilst Social Care and the Police investigate any concerns further.

 

Safeguarding Contacts

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Trustee with responsibility for Safeguarding: Charlotte Roberts  charlotte@newschoolcanterbury.co.uk

 

Beth Cuenco- Designated Safeguarding Lead  beth@newschoolcanterbury.co.uk

 

Nikki Tompsett - Deputy Safeguarding Lead   nikki@newschoolcanterbury.co.uk

Thomas Kohler - Deputy Safeguarding Lead   thomas@newschoolcanterbury.co.uk

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Important Safeguarding Links and Useful Information

 

New School Canterbury Safeguarding Policy 

 

Local Children’s Safeguarding Board 

 

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023

 

Is my child ready to be left alone?  NSPCC Guide

 

Is my child ready to go out alone? NSPCC Guide

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