Safeguarding
Safeguarding is defined as:
- Protecting children from maltreatment;
- Preventing impairment of children's mental and physical health or development;
- Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Here at The Warwickshire Academy, we strive to keep our pupils safe in school, at home and in the community. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. No single person can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action. Staff receive regular training to enable them to be alert to any concerns.
At The Warwickshire Academy, we use an ICT-based program called ‘CPOMs’ which helps us to record and collate all school safeguarding concerns and actions which are taken for example, a child running away from home, alcohol issues, child protection issues or welfare concerns. Some issues need long-term family support often via the Early Help process. Some issues need immediate action by a referral to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
All concerns are promptly acted upon and referred to our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs). If you have any concerns about a child, please contact us on 02477102100 and ask to speak to a DSL.
Our DSL:
- Stacey Warrington (Director of Behaviour)
Our Deputy DSL’s (DDSL):
- Paul Hostead (Headteacher)
- Stef Jones (Deputy Headteacher)
- Berni Winterburn (Deputy SENCO)
Additional Information
If there is no immediate danger or you need advice or information, you should call the Warwickshire Children and Families Front Door on 01926 414144.
Social worker – Emergency Duty Team (out of office hours): 01926 886922.
If you wish to report a matter to the police, call 101 and state your concerns.
If you wish to report an emergency matter always dial 999.
Advice and information
If you want to discuss your concerns or need advice e.g. if you are not sure whether your concerns are justified, you would like more information about issues like confidentiality or you would like to know what happens next (after you have reported your concerns), do one of the following:
- Call Childline on 0800 1111
- Call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000
- Check Warwickshire CSCP procedures
Prevent referrals for children and young people
The Prevent Duty requires that if there are concerns that an individual may be vulnerable to radicalisation around violent extremism then these concerns need to be shared so that appropriate support is provided in order to safeguard those individuals. A partnership referral form has been prepared to make sure that it is easier to outline and submit the referrals.
To make a Prevent referral for a child or young person a referral form needs to be sent to both of the following email addresses:
CTU_GATEWAY@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
Operation Encompass
Operation Encompass is a partnership between police and schools.
One of the principles of Operation Encompass is that all incidents of domestic abuse are shared with schools, not just those where an offence can be identified.
The Headteacher and Designated Safeguard Leads will be notified that the police have attended an incident of domestic abuse. This information sharing enables appropriate support to be provided for that child so that all interactions, from when the child first arrives at the school gates, are of a positive nature.
Operation Encompass is an integral component in child safeguarding and protection policies.
Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
https://www.safeguardingwarwickshire.co.uk/safeguarding-children/safeguarding-children-partnership
Family Hubs
If you feel like you need some help and support with your own children or your family, or you just want to talk to someone about your family life, Warwickshire County Council have a number of Family Hubs across the County. Family Hubs are open to all children, young people and their families living in Warwickshire and they will work with you and give you information, advice and support. You can walk into any Family Hub (it doesn’t have to be your local Hub) or you can phone them. More information on this can be found at: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/childrenandfamilycentres
E-safety
Children must always be careful when using the internet. It can help children in many ways and provides a way to keep in touch with friends, but it can also cause problems and upset.
Encourage your child to always tell you if they have made a new friend online and never allow them to go to meet anyone alone.
Below are some links to further support you in keeping your child safe online: