Ofsted’s definition of Safeguarding

“Safeguarding is not just about protecting children from deliberate harm. It includes a wide range of issues relating to pupil’s welfare, health and safety.” (Briefing for Section 5 Inspectors on Safeguarding Children, Ofsted April 2015)

We are aware that child protection and safeguarding are fundamental to the welfare of all children in our care. The safeguarding policy, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the wider safeguarding policies as listed within the safeguarding policy.

All policies will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Governing Body which has responsibility for oversight of school safeguarding and child protection systems. The Acting Headteacher will ensure regular reporting on safeguarding activity and systems in school to the Governing Body. The Governing Body will not receive details of individual pupil situations or identifying features of families as part of their oversight responsibility.

In accordance with our responsibilities under section 175/157 of the Education Act 2002, we have a Designated Safeguarding Lead, Mrs K McKellar and our Deputy Safeguarding Leads are Mrs J Blackmore and Mrs J Righton who have received appropriate training for this role.  It is their responsibility to ensure that all staff in contact with children receive child protection awareness training on a regular basis.

Safer Recruitment

Holtspur School & Pre-School is committed to ensure that all steps are taken to recruit staff and volunteers who are safe to work with our pupils/students and have their welfare and protection as the highest priority. The Governing Body and Senior Leadership Team are responsible for ensuring that the school follows safe recruitment processes outlined within Guidance, including accurate maintenance of the Single Central Record; and an application, vetting and recruitment process which places safeguarding at its centre, regardless of employee or voluntary role.

The Governing Body will ensure that the Head Teacher, other senior staff responsible for recruitment and one member of the Governing Body complete accredited Safer Recruitment Training in line with government requirements.

We are also committed to supporting the statutory guidance from the Department for Education on the application of the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 and related obligations under the Childcare Act 2006 in schools. Schools and local authorities must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under section 175, of the Education Act 2002, paragraph 7(b) of Schedule 1 to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 and paragraph 3 of the Schedule to the Education (Non-Maintained Special Schools)(England) Regulations 2011.