Safeguarding

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. School leaders exercise due diligence in ensuring that policy and practice is maintained at a good level. Policies take account of recent changes announced by the Secretary of State, including the duty with regard to ‘Prevent’. Care is taken to ensure a good level of appreciation of safeguarding responsibilities across the whole staff group. (OFSTED, May 2016)

We all have a responsibility to keep children safe: at home; in our neighbourhoods; in clubs and organisations; at school; in cyber-space. In school all staff have an obligation to act when they have concerns about neglect, abuse, extremism or exploitation. Sometimes a child may make a disclosure to a member of staff; at other times the school may be contacted by another parent; a concerned relative; a social care professional; a health care professional; another school; the police. The school has a duty to act upon any disclosure and has a clear policy for dealing with Child Protection. There is a Designated Lead for Child Protection: Miss Jacqueline Walker. St Joseph’s has a Deputy Designated Leads: Miss Michaela Dillon. All staff members undergo training in Child Protection, First Aid, PREVENT and other relevant initiatives. The children receive age-appropriate guidance about keeping safe in a variety of ways: RE lessons, PSHE lessons, assemblies, Computing lessons, and counselling sessions from a Brentwood Catholic Children's Society Social Worker.

St Joseph’s works very closely with Essex County Council for safeguarding and staff members attend associated training. The school is committed to following the SET Procedures that apply in Southend, Thurrock and Essex. The most recent SET procedures were published in 2019.

Safeguarding Contacts:

Designated Lead for Child Protection: Miss Jacqueline Walker

Deputy Designated Leads for Child Protection: Miss Michaela Dillon (DHT)

Essex Children’s Safeguarding Board:0345 6037627 (if you have concerns about a child or young person). http://www.escb.co.uk/ParentsCarers.aspx

The Essex LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) 03330 139 797 or 0845 606 1212 (if you have concerns about an adult’s behaviour)

Michelle de Kock - Essex (South Quadrant)

or call the NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Keeping Children Safe at St Joseph’s

Important E-Safety and Internet Websites:

Parents and Carers toolkit

Educate against Hate

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre