Safeguarding

Biddenham's Safeguarding Statement

This Safeguarding Statement applies to all adults, including volunteers, working in or on behalf of the school and is an overarching document which demonstrates how everyone working in or for our school service, shares an objective to help keep children safe from harm and abuse. This statement is in addition to our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which is subject to annual review.

As a school we aim:

• to ensure that children within our school feel safe at all times;

• to ensure that all stakeholders are safe and feel they are able to put the welfare of the children first without concern and that there will be no negative consequences attached to their actions;

• to ensure that all adults who have contact with children in school have been properly vetted and cleared as suitable to work and support children in our care/charge;

• to ensure that all adults who have contact with children in school have been trained to undertake their safeguarding responsibilities effectively.

Biddenham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its students. We recognise that some children may be especially vulnerable to abuse and that children who are abused or neglected may find it difficult to develop a sense of worth and to view the world in a positive way. Whilst at school their behaviour may be challenging and we recognise that some children who have experienced abuse, may harm others. We will always take a considered and sensitive approach in order that we can support:

Safer Recruitment and Selection: The school pays full regard to current DfE guidance ‘Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education’ 2011. We ensure that all appropriate measures are applied in relation to everyone who works in the school who is likely to be perceived by the children as a safe and trustworthy adult, including volunteers and staff employed by contractors. Safer recruitment practice includes scrutinising applicants, verifying identity and academic or vocational qualifications, obtaining professional references, checking previous employment history and ensuring that a candidate has the health and physical capability for the job. It also includes undertaking interviews and where appropriate, Criminal Records Bureau checks and providing honest and accurate references when individuals move on.

Safer Working Practice: Our school will comply with the ‘Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults Who Work with Children and Young People’. Safe working practice ensures that students are safe and that all staff, governors, volunteers and visitors share this commitment and maintain a vigilant and safe environment.

Safeguarding Information for Students: All students in our school are aware of a number of staff who they can talk to. The school is committed to ensuring that students are aware of behaviour towards them that is not acceptable and how they can keep themselves safe. All students know that we have senior members of staff with responsibility for child protection and who they are. We inform students who they might talk to, both in and out of school, their right to be listened to and heard, and what steps can be taken to protect them from harm.

The Senior Designated Person for Child Protection in our school is: Mrs Clare Warburton Designated Safeguarding Lead. The deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr Ed Evans and all Heads of Year are Safeguarding Leads.

DfE Keeping Children Safe in Education – Statutory guidance for schools and colleges

Working with Parents and Carers: The school shares a purpose with parents and carers to educate, keep children safe from harm and have their welfare promoted. We are committed to working with parents and carers positively, openly and honestly and ensure that they are treated with respect, dignity and courtesy. We respect parents and carers’ rights to privacy and confidentiality and will not share sensitive information until we have permission, or it is necessary to do so to protect a child.

Biddenham School will share with parents and carers any concerns we may have about their child unless to do so may place a child at risk of harm. We encourage parents and carers to discuss any concerns they may have with school staff. We make them aware of our Safeguarding and Child Protection policies and are available for parents and carers to view these policies on request.

School Training and Staff Induction: The school’s Designated Person (DSL) with responsibility for child protection and any named deputies, undertake specific child protection training which includes how to undertake their role. All other school staff, including non-teaching staff, volunteers and governors undertake appropriate in-house training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities for child protection effectively. This is kept up to date by annual refresher training.

Welcoming other Professionals: Visitors with a professional role, should have been vetted to work with children. The School Business Manager will ensure that written confirmation is received from the employing organisation that the staff member has been vetted through the DBS system within the last three years and cleared to work with children. No examination/medical treatment of any child will be allowed unless the professional has suitable clearance prior to their visit.

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy: There is a detailed Child Protection Policy operating within the school. The Designated Lead Person for Child Protection is Mrs Clare Warburton. The deputy Designated Person for child protection is Mr Ed Evans. It is the Governing Body’s duty to ensure the policy is reviewed annually and any deficiencies within the policy addressed immediately. All allegations of abuse by or complaints about a teacher, other member of staff or volunteer, will be managed in accordance with the procedures set out in the safeguarding policy. The Local Authority Designated Officer for Child Protection (LADO) oversees all allegations made against those who work with children and can be contacted at any time for advice.

The Design of the Curriculum: The curriculum deals with safeguarding in two ways. Firstly, in subjects such as Personal, Social and Health Education – relevant discussions around related issues take place with the children. Topics are included under four main headings: Health and Mental Wellbeing; Relationships and Sex Education; Citizenship and Careers Education. Students are encouraged to explore relevant topics, discuss issues and ask questions, either in class or via an email address.

Secondly, the curriculum is designed so that safety issues within the subject are discussed and safe practices explained, such as using equipment properly in PE and Design and Technology. Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy

Appropriate staffing levels will be maintained at all times when the curriculum is being delivered outside of the school site. Appropriate and agreed adult to student ratios are always maintained. The lead adult always risk assess visits and trips to ensure children are safeguarded and protected from harm before the event is finally authorised by the Educational Visits Co-ordinator (EVC) or Principal.

Visiting speakers, with correct clearance and/or constant supervision are always welcome into school so that they can give specialist knowledge to the children.

e-Safety/Online Safety Policy: Children are encouraged to use the internet as much as possible, but at all times in a safe way. Parents and carers are asked to give permission for their children to use the internet on entry to the school. Parents, carers, students and staff must sign an appropriate usage form to ensure that they understand the risks and sanctions relating to misuse of the system in and beyond the school. If staff know of misuse, either by a teacher, staff member, volunteer or child, the issue must be reported to the Principal without delay.

Behaviour Management Policy: Good behaviour is essential in any community and at Biddenham we have high expectations in this area. The school has a Behaviour Policy that must be adhered to by all children. Although the emphasis is always on the positive, there are also times when children have to be challenged in order to maintain the safety and security of all children.

Anti-Bullying Policy: In matters of alleged bullying the school must be informed immediately and action will take place immediately to resolve the situation. Children are told that silence is the bully’s best friend. Although bullying in this school is extremely rare, the school always acts swiftly with a process of investigation, communication and action. Bullies will not be tolerated.

Equality, Diversity and Social Cohesion Policy: We believe that all associated with the school should feel a sense of warmth, welcome and belonging as equal members of the Biddenham School community. Our core values are friendship and compassion, inspiration, determination, enjoyment and success. Cutting across each of these there is a strong commitment to inclusion, equality and embracing diversity as a source of richness, hybrid strength and social cohesion.

Photographing and Videoing of Children in School: Taking photos and video images of children’s achievements and activities is a wonderful way of capturing a memory and promoting successes. However the school must obtain parental permission before taking such images (this is done through a form issued at the start of each academic year), and safeguards are in place to ensure anonymity (wherever possible) in their usage.

Confidential Reporting Whistleblowing Policy: If members of staff, volunteers or governors have any concerns about people working in a paid or unpaid capacity with our children, they have a duty of care (and in some cases a professional duty) to inform management accordingly. This can be done in writing or verbally and such issues will be managed with sensitivity and the necessary degree of confidence.

Reviewed annually August 2023

Who shall I contact for extra information?

Mrs Warburton
clare.warburton@biddenham.beds.sch.uk

Meet the Team

Information on the Safeguarding Team
click on the image below.

Student Safeguarding Leads

Find out more about how we can help.

Staff and agency professionals
can report a safeguarding issue at: safeguarding@mybiddenham.com

Bedford
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Safeguarding

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