Safeguarding
We work to keep children safe in Education
Safeguarding
The Department of Education, through Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE Sept 2022) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE 2018) places a duty on organisations to safeguard and promote the well-being of children and young people. At St Edward’s School we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of all our students. On occasion, a student may disclose information of a sensitive nature to a member of staff. When this happens, staff will listen and explain clearly and calmly to students that information about their safety may mean that other people have to be informed in order to support and safeguard them. They cannot promise to keep such information confidential. When a member of staff has any child protection or welfare concerns about a student, they have a duty to report these concerns to the designated teacher in the school. In dealing with such instances we are legally required to follow BCP procedures which may require us to involve external agencies including Children and Young People’s Social Care.
St Edward’s School takes its Safeguarding and Child protection responsibilities very seriously. We work closely and share information with the local authority and other appropriate external agencies, to ensure the welfare of all our students. If you have any concerns about a child’s welfare, please contact a member of the Safeguarding Team:
- Mrs V Pirie – Designated Safeguarding Lead and Assistant Headteacher
- Mr C Barnett – Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Miss C Morgan – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Mrs D Moody – Safeguarding Designated Governor
- Mrs Houston-Kypta – Safeguarding Designated Governor
Support and Help
It’s important to remember you are not alone. There is support and help for young people with all kinds of things like:
- Emotional health
- Relationships
- Self-harm
- Bullying
- Alcohol
- Healthy eating
- Drugs
- Smoking
Visit our Mental Health and Wellbeing page for information and further support
Operation Encompass
The school has been given the opportunity to take part in a project that will run jointly between schools and Dorset Police. Operation Encompass is the notification to schools when a child or young person has experienced any domestic abuse, this information will be shared with the schools.
Operation Encompass will ensure that senior safeguarding members of the school staff, (DSL/DDSLs) known as a Key Adults, are trained to allow them to receive information from the police and to use the information that has been shared, in confidence, while ensuring that the school is able to make provision for possible difficulties experienced by children, or their families, who have been involved in a domestic abuse incident.
We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our students and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved. More information can be found on the Operation Encompass website.
Internet Safety
ThinkUKknow
ThinkUknow – Find the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it. Look at how you can protect yourself and others around you. Do you think you know? Have a look to see.
Ceop
Has someone done something online that has made you or a child or young person you know, feel worried or unsafe? This sites gives you advice on reporting the incident and giving you information on how to keep safe.
Childline
What we send in text messages or on social networking sites can be dangerous if shared with the wrong person. Once you send a message, you’re not in control of what happens to it. Here’s some advice about sexting and keep yourself self.
Educate. Against. Hate
The purpose of this site is to give parents /carers and those working with young people practical advice on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.
UK Safer Internet Centre
Here you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet
BCP Family Information Service
This sites gives you all information you may need for support and advice and signposting to agencies or support groups they may be able to help with any concerns
Vodafone Digital Parenting
Vodafone Digital Parenting: Packed with information and advice about bullying, peer pressure, screen time, and much more.
Dorset Safeguarding Children Board
Dorset Safeguarding Children Board contains advice on how to keep your children safe.
NSPCC
The NSPCC helpline is a place adults can contact by phone or online to get advice or share their concerns about a child, anonymously if they wish.
PACE
Pace is the leading national charity working with parents and carers of sexually exploited children.
O2 and NSPCC
The internet is like a magician’s hat. And if you’re worried what your kids will find inside, our free advice will help you keep them safe online.
