Keeping our children safe

Surveys of children at St. Luke’s show that they feel safe and, due to a detailed and well-planned curriculum which addresses the wide range of safeguarding issues thoroughly, they know how to stay safe.

All our staff and other adults working within the school are clear about procedures concerning the safety of children and there is a named and designated lead who pursues any concerns rigorously (Simon Wattam, Head Teacher).

We aim to ensure that all children can identify a trusted adult with whom they can talk about any concerns. They report that adults listen to them and take their concerns seriously. Where children have been or are at risk, such a trusted adult has often been instrumental in helping them to be safe in accordance with agreed local procedures.

Where adults working with children are concerned about their safety or welfare, written records using online software are made in a timely way and held securely . These records are shared appropriately where necessary and with the necessary consent.

Any child protection and/or safeguarding concerns are immediately shared with the local authority in the area where the concerned professional is working and a record of that referral is retained. Evidence is kept to show that the referral has been followed up quickly and that action has been taken to protect the child from further harm.

Above all, we aim to ensure children are supported, protected and informed appropriately about the action the adult is taking to share their concerns. Parents are made aware of concerns and their consent sought in accordance with local procedures unless doing so would increase the risk of or actual harm to a child.

We have a written policy in place with clear and agreed procedures to protect any child or young person. For children who are the subject of a child protection plan or who are looked after, the plan identifies the help that the child should receive and the action to be taken if a professional working with the child has further concerns or information to report.

We are committed to ensuring children are protected and helped to keep themselves safe from bullying, homophobic behaviour, racism, sexism and any other forms of discrimination. Any discriminatory behaviours are challenged and help and support is given to children about how to treat others with respect.

We fully understand the risks posed by adults or young people who use the internet to bully, groom or abuse children and have well-developed strategies in place to keep children safe and to support them in learning how to keep themselves safe. We also support parents and carers in protecting their children from online dangers. Our staff and IT leader oversee the safe use of electronic and social media when the children are on site and take action immediately if they are concerned about bullying or risky behaviours.

For all activities which pose a potential hazard we have clear risk assessments and a consistent response by staff to protect children, while enabling them to take age-appropriate and reasonable risks as part of their growth and development.

Staff and volunteers working with children are carefully selected and vetted, and there is monitoring to prevent unsuitable people from being recruited and having the opportunity to harm children or place them at risk.

There are clear and effective arrangements for staff development and training in respect of the protection and care of children. Staff and other adults receive regular supervision and support if they are working directly and regularly with children where there are concerns about their safety and welfare.

We take every care to make the physical environment  safe and secure to protect the children from harm or the risk of harm.

All staff and carers have a copy of and understand the written procedures for managing allegations of harm to a child. They know how to make a complaint and how to manage whistleblowing or other concerns about the practice of adults in respect of the safety and protection of children.