Safeguarding
The safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff is our highest priority. Learn about our safeguarding and child protection measures.
Staff and Governors at Ormiston Herman Academy are aware that many children are the victims of different kinds of abuse and that they can be subjected to social factors that have an adverse impact upon their lives – including domestic violence, substance misuse, bullying, mental health and radicalisation. We also acknowledge that safeguarding incidents could happen anywhere, and staff should be alert to possible concerns arising.
Through our curriculum we teach children to stay safe and happy. We encourage the understanding that any problem or worry that they have is legitimate, and to share their worries, big or small with their trusted adult; at home; school or with ChildLine.
- Lead Officer for Safeguarding and Child Protection – Kristy Redhead (Principal)
- Deputy Lead Officer for Safeguarding and Child Protection – Mark Thorpe (VP)
- Governor for Safeguarding and Child Protection – Chris Speed (Governor)
- Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility; all staff, governors and volunteers should play their full part in keeping children safe.
- a child-centered approach; a clear understanding of the needs and views of children.
School has specific procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse of any kind. If we suspect that a child may be suffering abuse, we are legally obliged to follow the Norfolk Area Child Protection Procedures. Parents should be aware that, if a child makes an allegation about his/her parents, then the school will refer this to the Social Services Department who will decide how and when to proceed.
It may be that the first a parent knows of an allegation is a visit from a social worker, whose role will be to find out if there is a cause for concern.
The school appreciates that this may be a traumatic experience for the parent(s) but, in the interests of the child, it is important that the matter be investigated at the earliest opportunity.
If the child has made an allegation about someone other than a member of the immediate family, then the parents will be informed and involved from the outset.
We sincerely hope that none of the above will be necessary but, if it should be, then it is hoped that, by reading this first, you will appreciate that there are set procedures and that these do not, as far as the staff of the school are concerned, in any way amount to an accusation of wrongdoing. We are here primarily for the benefit of the child, and in almost all cases this means working with parents.
We recognise our moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils. We endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where children are respected and valued. We are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect and follow our procedures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.
The procedures contained in the academy’s Safeguarding policy apply to all staff and governors and are consistent with those of the local safeguarding children board (LSCB).
We will follow the procedures set out by the Area Child Protection Committee or Local Safeguarding Children Board and take account of guidance issued by the DfE by:
- Ensuring that we have a designated senior member of staff with responsibility for Child Protection who has received appropriate training and support for this role.
- Ensuring that we have a nominated governor responsible for Child Protection.
- Ensuring that every member of staff (including temporary and supply staff and volunteers) and governing body knows the name of the designated senior person responsible for Child Protection and their role.
- Ensuring all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated Child Protection Coordinator/Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Ensuring parents understand the responsibility placed on the school and staff for Child Protection by setting out its obligations in the Parent Handbook issued to all parents.
- Notifying Children and Family Services if there is an unexplained absence of more than two days of a pupil who is on a Child Protection Plan.
- Developing effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding Child Protection matters including attendance at case conferences.
- Keeping written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately.
- Ensuring all records are kept secure and separate from the main pupil file.
- Following procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.
- Ensuring safe recruitment practices are always followed and that adults working with children have an up-to-date DBS check.
If we are concerned that your child may be at risk of abuse or neglect, we must follow the procedures in our child protection policy. You can look at the policy on the school website or come into school and see a copy.
The procedures have been written to protect all pupils. They comply with our statutory responsibilities and are designed to support pupils, families, and staff. The procedures are based on the principle that the welfare of the child is the most important consideration.
In almost all circumstances, we will talk to you about our concerns, and we will also tell you if we feel we must refer our concerns to children’s social care. We will ask your consent to make a referral, but in some circumstances, we may need to make the referral against your wishes. We will only do this if we genuinely believe that this is the best way to protect your child, and the fact that you did not consent to the referral will be recorded.
If we think that talking to you first might in some way increase the risk to your child, we will report our concerns to children’s social care and take advice from them. We will normally tell you that a referral is being made and we will record the reasons why we decided to follow this course of action.
All child protection records are kept separate from your child’s general school file. Records are stored in a locked cabinet or drawer, and if stored on computer they are password-protected. The only staff who have access to the records are those who need to know about the concerns in order to protect and support your child.
Child protection is a very sensitive issue, and it raises many questions and a range of strong emotions. We will do everything we can support our pupils and you can be assured that any action we take will be in the best interests of your child.
All pupils at our academy feel comfortable to talk about their concerns. The message of sharing their worries and identifying a trusted adult is regularly incorporated into assemblies. For example, wellbeing, anti-bullying, and e-safety. Any alleged bullying incidents are dealt with by SLT.
They can speak to their teacher or any trusted adult.
Pupils know the key members of staff that are responsible for safeguarding in the school. They can also identify trusted adults within the school. They can speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs Redhead or the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mr Thorpe.
Ormiston Herman Academy has a safeguarding notice board with photos of the members of staff responsible for safeguarding displayed on this.
Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. Many of the things we do in school to help pupils become positive, happy members of society also contribute to the Prevent strategy.
Find out more by clicking on the link below:
Keeping safe from bullying is an integral part of our PSHE curriculum. Through our Values-based curriculum pupils learn how to behave towards each other promoting the British values of tolerance and mutual respect.
In our recent Ofsted Parent View survey 97% of parents agreed that their child feels safe at the academy and that, when it occurs, bullying is dealt with effectively.
Children are able to distinguish between ad-hoc name calling and persistent bullying as a result of our teaching and approach to bullying.