Safeguarding
At St Mary & St Michael's we take the safeguarding of our pupils extremely seriously. We have built up a series of policies and procedures in school to keep our children as safe as possible.
All our staff receive regular Safeguarding training, including Child Protection.
Two members of staff have higher level Child Protection Training:
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mrs L Archibald
Deputy DSLs: Mrs T Jenkinson
Safeguarding Governor: Mrs Johann Kenyon
Safeguarding
St Mary & St Michael's Catholic Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We have a number of policies and procedures in place that contribute to our safeguarding commitment, including our Child Protection Policy. These can be viewed in the Policies section of the website.
When there are concerns about a child’s welfare we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies. We will ensure that any concerns are discussed with parents/carers first unless we have reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
When an allegations against staff, supply staff, volunteers and contractors is made this will be managed in line with the school’s Whistleblowing Policy and details are found in the Child Protection and Safeguarding policy section 34.
We actively support the Government’s Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mrs Luena Archiabld (Headteacher).
Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs T Jenkinson (HLTA & Pastoral support)
The Governor with responsibility for safeguarding in our school is Mrs Johanna Kenyon.
What is Operation Encompass?
The purpose of Operation Encompass is to safeguard and support children and young people who have been involved in a domestic abuse incident. Following an incident at home, children often arrive at school distressed, upset and unprepared for the day.
Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Police and nominated Key Adults in school will work together to make sure that St Mary & St Michael's staff are made aware of an incident early enough to support children whilst at school.
How will it work in school?
The Senior Leaders at school (especially the Headteacher) will be known as Key Adults for Operation Encompass and have been trained in the role.
Each morning a police officer will review all domestic abuse incidents that occur outside of school hours which may impact on a child attending school the following day. Where children, aged between 4 and 16 years old, have been present and witnessed or been involved in a domestic abuse incident, the officer will send the information to the Council’s Initial Contact and Referral Team who will then send this in a secure format to the named Key Adult at St Mary & St Michael's; the school’s Pastoral support and pupil’s classteacher will be updated so that they are in an informed position to support the child in a way that is right for them.
This information will be shared on school days during school term and, when incidents occur on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or over a holiday period, the police will contact the Council the following Monday.
What is the Prevent Duty?
The aim of ‘Prevent’ is to stop people becoming or supporting terrorists and to do this by challenging ideologies, protecting vulnerable individuals and supporting institutions, such as schools. It is part of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy known as CONTEST.
At St Mary & St Michael's Catholic Primary School we believe that children should be given the opportunity to explore the issues of diversity, global awareness and understanding Britain as a multi-cultural society. Providing a safe learning environment in which children can raise controversial questions and concerns without fear of reprimand or ridicule and explore boundaries of what’s acceptable will engender an open attitude to multi-cultural and race issues.
We do this through our PSHE and RE curriculum which aims to foster in children values such as tolerance, understanding, respect and indeed welcome for people from all countries, faiths and backgrounds.
Our Catholic Christian Values are regularly discussed and revisited in whole school worship, classrooms and termly themes also reinforce this message. We also do this through debate and healthy discussion within a safe learning environment where opinions are valued and challenged in a respectful and informed way.
Staff have received training as part of our safeguarding duties in the recognition of children who may be vulnerable to such extremism. The Designated Senior Lead for Child Protection and deputy Senior Lead; Luena Archibald, Rebecca Nayler & Tracey Jenkinson receive additional training in their roles.
Follow this link for further information and resources from Lancashire for PREVENT: