St Gregory’s Catholic High School

1. St Gregory’s Catholic High School

2. “Our commitment to Safeguarding, which can be expressed in the introduction to all our policies, will include everything the State asks of us but our inspiration, our Foundation, is the belief in the ‘sacred grandeur’ of our children. That is why we are never content with mere compliance, but always strive for best practice.”

3. What is Safeguarding? • Protecting children from maltreatment • Preventing impairment of children's health or development • Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care • Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

4. RULE OF THUMB THINK THE UNTHINKABLE

5. Safeguarding: Our Role • Safeguarding children is the action we all should take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. • Safeguarding is everyone’sresponsibility • Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.

6. The Role of the Designated Senior Lead (DSL) • To take the lead responsibility for dealing with safeguarding and child protection in school. • To act as a source of support, advice and expertise within school when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies. • To recognise how to identify signs of abuse and when it is appropriate and how to make a referral to Social Care.

7. The Role of the Designated Senior Lead (DSL) • To provide whole school staff safeguarding training, recommended on a yearly basis. • To be aware of the Warrington Safeguarding Children’s Board (WSCB) and how it operates. • To attend child protection case conferences/ Child in Need/ Children in Care meetings and understand how to contribute effectively. • To ensure all staff have access to and understand the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection and linked policies.

8. The Role of all School staff • To report all concerns regarding child welfare immediately to the Designated Senior Lead or another member of the Safeguarding Team. In an emergency use numbers by phones in staffroom and offices. • Be mindful and resilient of child protection signs and symptoms in the school setting. • Be clear of your role and responsibility regarding your school safeguarding that is clearly stated in policy and procedures – badges, registers, updates, Out of Class pass

9. Schools ‘Safeguarding Suite’ of documents • All staff must be aware of the Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and ensured this is embedded in real safeguarding practice. • Safeguarding and Child Protection policy provides transparent and clear procedures for managing safeguarding issues in school. • It is part of whole school staff induction and training.

10. Rules around staff conduct • The welfare of the child is paramount. • Safeguarding is the responsibility of all adults who work with children. • Adults are responsible for their own actions. • Adults should work and be seen to work in an appropriate and transparent way. • Read and understand the policies. • Attend a comprehensive Induction/training session and understand procedures when working with children

11. St Gregory’s is a TELLING school St Gregory’s is a LISTENING school ‘If you don’t share a risk... you own the risk’

12. Safeguarding Team OUR MISSION STATEMENT Committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our community. ‘We work in partnership to create a living and vibrant community in which each member is valued’ ...everyone deserves to be listened to and treated with respect and dignity...

13. Safeguarding Team Designated Senior Leader (DSL) Rosemary Howard-Rigby Deputy Designated Senior Leaders Mr McLeod Mrs Adams Mr Morgan (e.safety) Mrs Hunt (CIC) Mrs Granton Mrs Pilkington Mrs McSorley Mrs Pacey Mrs Peace Nathan Whitlow (Chaplain)

14. Safeguarding Issues • Social Media–cyber bullying/ sexting • Mental Health/ Sectioning/ Depression • Physical/Emotional/Sexual abuse • Self Harm/Attempted suicide • Body Image– eating disorders • Domestic Violence • Drugs-taking/supplying/dealing • Smoking/Alcohol • Gangs –peer pressure • Bullying/Hate Crime • Missing from home • Arson • Theft/shop lifting • On-Line Gaming/gambling • Bereavement/ Terminal Illnesses • Child Sexual Exploitation • Grooming • Radicalisation/ Extremism • Porn • Rape • Abortion • Sexual Orientation/ Transgender • Imprisonment of Family Member • Dementia • Legal Highs • Run Hide Tell (Terrorism) • Burglary • Hoax News

15. Supportive Measures • Think Twice Register / Seating plans and personalisation • Purple Forms • Mobile Phone Policy • Identification badges • Daily Register – registration/each lesson • Out of Class Passes • Visitors signing in • Electronic Gate • CCTV • EVOLVE • Operation Encompass • Fire Drill/ Evacuation/ Lockdown Procedures/ Risk Assessments • Duty Rota/Zones • Toilet doors • Theme Weeks and Days • PSHE

16. Care and Support • Friends • Teachers • Augustine Centre staff • School Health Advisor (Tuesdays) – Margaret Jaber • External Mentors • Outside Agencies • Peer Mentors • Young Leaders • Anti-bullying Ambassadors • School Council • Youth Health Champions • Intervention Groups • 2%ers • E-Safety Officers

17. Information Areas • Noticeboard by Dining Room • Young Carers’ board by Staffroom • LRC – staff, books, leaflets • Sharp System: on-line reporting • Displays e.g. Hate Crime/Anti-Bullying/ Alcohol/ Well-being • Agency Information: Augustine Centre/Pastoral Office • Learning Organiser • The Net – websites/telephone numbers • KOOTH/ Happy Ok Sad/ Zumos • Information Evenings/newsletters for Parents/Carers • Website

18. CPOMS • Child Protection Online Monitoring System • Team records information • Alert each other/discussed at weekly meetings • Securely load documents • Chronological events

19. Safeguarding children is everybody’s responsibility ‘If you don’t share a risk... you own the risk’