Safeguarding Statement
At St Leonard’s CE Primary Academy we have an important role to play in identifying any concerns children and young people may have, and promoting health and wellbeing throughout all areas of their life. All staff are committed to the safeguarding of children and young people. We expect volunteers and our surrounding community to do the same.
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation applies to all children up to the age of 18.
Safeguarding legislation and government guidance says that safeguarding means:
- Protecting children from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcome
The academy adheres to the following three DfE safeguarding documents:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
- Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024
- The Prevent Duty 2023
- The St Leonard’s CE Primary Academy Safeguarding and Child Protection policy is located on this page.
The academy’s immediate Safeguarding Team consists of:
- Mrs Clare Johnson – Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Interim Headteacher
- Mrs Paola Axon – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Interim Assistant Head
Our safeguarding leads are the first point of contacts for all students, parents, staff, members of the public and volunteers in all matters of safeguarding and child protection. Our safeguarding leads will conduct the relevant safeguarding procedures and work closely with HR to ensure that all staff are kept up to date with any training they may need. All Safeguarding Leads will receive appropriate training every two years.
If you are ever concerned about the safety or wellbeing of any child, please speak directly with one of our named safeguarding leads above. If our safeguarding leads are unavailable, their duties will be carried out by a senior member of staff, where appropriate. Any complaints or allegations made against a member of staff will immediately be referred to the Headteacher who will inform the safeguarding leads and the Chair of the Academy Council, Clare Lindley. Where the Headteacher is the subject of an allegation or complaint, these duties will be carried out by Clare Lindley, Chair of the Academy Council, in liaison with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
All staff have a duty of care to report concerns when they arise.
Parents and carers will be informed of such concerns unless to do so would increase the risk to the child.
A record of any concern will be kept on file and shared with other safeguarding professionals as necessary. Written records will be kept locked and secure, computer records are encrypted.
UK Safer Internet Centre Hotline
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
NSPCC helpline – 08088005000
If you are concerned about a child or are looking for advice about a child, and would like to speak with a duty social worker, get in touch with The Swindon Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) using the contact details below.
Contact Swindon office hours
Normal office hours are 8.30am to 4.40pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am to 4.00m on Friday. Call 01793 464646 and choose Option 2, or email: contactswindon@swindon.gov.uk
Out of hours
The Emergency Duty Service (EDS) provides an emergency contact point for all aspects of social work in Swindon outside normal office hours. This includes cover during the night, weekends and bank holidays.
The EDS is available on 01793 436699.
If you think that a child is in immediate danger, contact the police emergency line by dialling 999.
NSPCC is keeping children safe with PANTS (The Underwear Rule)
Prevent Duty Statement
Preventing Radicalisation in school
Building resilience in our young people and the promotion of fundamental British values is at the heart of preventing radicalisation. We do this by providing a safe place in which children can discuss issues, and we aim to give them the knowledge and confidence to challenge extremist beliefs and ideologies.
Our new prevent duty, is carried out under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, which legally requires us to take steps to prevent pupils from being drawn into terrorism. We take this duty seriously and carry out the four main actions responsibly, namely: risk assessment, working in partnership, staff training and IT policies.
If we assess a child as at risk, we will refer to the Channel Programme, which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.
We recognise that we play a vital role in keeping children safe from harm, including from the risks of extremism and radicalisation, and in promoting the welfare of children in our care.
What we do if there is a concern
If we have a concern about a particular pupil we will follow the school’s normal safeguarding procedures, including discussing with the school’s designated safeguarding lead, and where deemed necessary, with children’s social care.
We may also contact the local police force or dial 101 (the non-emergency number). They can talk to us in confidence about concerns and help us gain access to support and advice.
The Department for Education has dedicated a telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) to enable staff and governors to raise concerns relating to extremism directly. Concerns can also be raised by email to counter.extremism@education.gsi.gov.uk.
Please note that the helpline is not intended for use in emergency situations, such as a child being at immediate risk of harm or a security incident.
In an emergency situation we will follow the recommended emergency procedures.
Updated: November 2024